Quick Nap Advice Needed - UPDATE

[Mom to M&M]

DS turned two exactly a month ago. Today was his second day at a JCC camp programs - twice a week for two hours. He had a rough night of sleep last night (ate something that upset his stomach) and was VERY tired and clingy this morning and cried off/on (but played some too) while here was there. Then we stopped at the on-site cafe and he had half a toasted bagel with margarine and some water and we drove home. He fell asleep in the car at 12:12 and slept for about 8 minutes when I tried to transfer him (which used to always work but haven't tried in a long time). He woke up and refused to go back to sleep. So now he's working on an 8 minute nap after a rough night (11 hours sleep almost total but very broken up with NWs) and a lot of stimulation at camp.

He needs more sleep! Do I try for a nap upstairs again around 2pm? And if that doesn't work try for a car nap shortly thereafter? And how long do I let him sleep for if he falls asleep either upstairs or in car?

BTW - he woke for the day about 6:40am, normally naps about 1.25-1.75 hours.

Many thanks.

[~Sara~]

Sometimes A will do that (get a quick catnap in the car and then wake up).  He's pretty good about me just going ahead and putting him in his crib.  He'll normally chatter away until he falls asleep again.  Sometimes it's only 10 minutes, sometimes it's up to 30 minutes.  So, I'd say, yes, to try again for the nap.  If you're aiming for 2pm, I'd put him down with a bigger buffer so that he can try to go to sleep sooner if he wants/can...so, like, down ~1:40 or so.  I'd try for the car nap if that doesn't work...because I agree, an 8 minute nap didn't do much for him after the night/day he's had.

What time do you normally get him up from his nap?  Is he the kind of kid that will go to bed at his normal time, regardless of how late his nap went?

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Sara! I had to run a quick errand and he's watching Mickey Mouse now to relax him and then going to try for a nap - which will mean about 2pm when I bring him up. If that doesn't work will have to try for car nap.

He's usually up by 2 or 2:15 latest, often earlier. And bedtime is usually about 7:30, give or take. So I'm thinking if he does nap maybe cap it to 45 minutes tops? So not sure!

[~Sara~]

If BT is 7:30, I think up by 3 (at the latest) would be OK.  Hopefully, right?

[Mom to M&M]

OK he passed out (finally and after some drama) at 2:30. Do you still think 3pm? Or let him have 45 minutes until 3:15 and do 7:45 bedtime if needed? Bedtime isn't a strict time at all. It's generally between 7:30-8, with 7:40/7:45 probably being most common.

[~Sara~]

Yeah, I'd let him go for a bit.  Tired little guy   Do you think he would handle a 45 minute nap okay?  Maybe a 1h nap with a 7:30/8pm bedtime?

[Mom to M&M]

I'm worried with a full hour and 3:30 - think I'll wake him at 3:15 (unless more people start chiming in otherwise) and hope for the best?

[~Sara~]

If that's what you feel comfortable with, then I'd go with it

[Mom to M&M]

Who knows... I woke him right about 3:15. He in good enough mood for now but seems a bit OT wired and eyes still look really tired. And he's clingy. Should be interesting afternoon/evening.

Thanks again!

[~Sara~]

Hopefully he'll last until bedtime.  These off-days are always interesting for us, too.  Yesterday, my mom was watching A...he fell asleep in the car at about 1pm, woke up when taken out of the car (was talking, wiggling, etc.), then slept until 3:30 and fell right to sleep at ~8pm.  Slept through the night until just after 7 when DH went to get him.  Weird.  He normally starts stirring at around 6:20, and up for the day by 6:40.  I just don't know some days