Anyone have a 20 mnth old DS that sleeps max 12 hrs pd in total?

[KathG]

Hi there
my DS has always been on the lower side of sleep.
I've read BW forums and book since 3 months old so am aware of OT/UT and implemented all the techniques and methods to try make him sleep longer.   
The other day he shocked us by sleeping 12 hours each night and 2 hours in the day (14 hours per day for 2 days).
Then he returned to his usual 10 - 10.5 hours at night and 1.5 - 2 hours in the day.
He averages 12 hours per day in total.

All other websites incl this one say his age should be getting 13 hours min a day.
One baby book authorer in South Africa told me that his 11 - 12 hours a day was ok as long as he is happy and thriving.

But I am worried that maybe his low sleep patterns are the reason for him not being on top of his developmental progress:
- he doesnt like to build towers or do fine motor activities like thread laces through holes; he loves to push things;
- he still eats so many inedibles like crayons, chalk, paint, soap, playdough;
- his talking is ok - about 30 words but it could be more by now!

Could his lower than universal averages for sleep be the reason for the above or is his sleep acceptable and he's just a slower learner?

Back to analysis paralysis?   :-)

[Tweakster]

I did.  Now we sometimes get 13.  But yeah, it was 10 at night + 2 hr nap for a looooong time.

Honestly at 2 (26 mths now) he seems to have become seriously high sleep needs, getting OT at the drop of a hat when he used to run around on 12 hrs.  So things can change at the drop of a hat!

Your LOs development sounds spot on to me.  F is just finally interested in building towers, although smashing them is much more fun for him.  He loves pushing things too.  He has no patience for fine motor skills, often getting very frustrated and giving up.  He's all about the gross motor.  ALL kids eat the inedibles I think, really, but if you have a concern about pica then you may want to get his iron levels checked just to be sure.  Have you talked to your doc about your concerns?

Speech development comes in fits and starts, we had nothing (nearly 0!) at 20 mths and then he got ear tubes and now he's almost having real conversations.  Still a lot of gibberish though.  So I think your LO is doing fine :-)

Sounds like he might have hit a growth spurt or developmental leap or was just extra tired that day.  We got these blips too at that age, and then he'd go back to 'normal'.

I've analyzed the exact same question, pretty much every day since he was born lol  I still haven't come to any conclusions, and the kid is awesome and thrives in every way, at his own rate.  So best not to overthink sometimes ;-)

[babybarr]

I agree with Wendy.  I would say if you are concerned about the development speak with your GP, but I was very surprised by what the bench marks are in UK they only have to know 3 colours by the age of 3 which I personally find quite shocking.

WRT sleep I think that in an ideal world your LO would sleep 13hrs BUT if he's happy I wouldn't worry too much.

[~inbalance~]

Your LO sounds a lot like mine at the same age!  I think my DS1 was probably getting 13hrs of sleep at that age, but developmentally was the same as you mentioned, so no worries there.  In fact it was really just past that point that he started sleeping more actually, and his language really exploded.

Agree that if you're worried about his development you can bring it up with his doc, but it doesn't sound to me like anything is amiss as long as he is happy and doing well.