16mth old - morning nap?

[Lou'sMum]

Hi all,

We've been through loads of probs with my gorgeous boy, so this i nothing in comparison, but wanted to hear your thoughts.

We have been down to 1 nap for months now and its been going great - usually 1.5-2hrs every time. My only worry is that he wants to go down really early sometimes (he picks his blanky up, takes my hand and leads me to the stairs, it's too cute! ). This morning it was 10.30, other days a little later, and then sometimes its 12-12.30. We usually get 11-11.5 hrs from him at night so he's not catching up. We also have to do an early bedtime if he's down so early or he gets really OT.

I guess my question is should I try keep him on a more strict routine, i.e set nap time at 12.30 say or take his lead and put him down when he physically takes me?

Thanks x

[sianie]

Hi there...

Could you post what your retune generally looks like?

Is there anything else going on developmentally etc that is making him more tired? Is he teething at all?

I do set nap times with both my LO's and they work really well for us. My DS is 18mths old & he naps at 12pm, regardless of wake-up & generally sleeps for around 2hrs with BT around 7pm-ish.

HTH?

[~inbalance~]

I think I would try and distract him with a quiet activity and stick to his set naptime so that your day doesn't start shifting too far forward.  A relaxing walk when he gets tired might be a good way to get through the morning.

[Lou'sMum]

Hi,

He is super-teething just now (wee soul) – got 2 molars, eye teeth and a couple of others coming through. Would this make his more sleepy than normal? Come to thing of it up until a few weeks ago he was going down for his nap at 12.30 - just seems to have creeped forward the past while...

An recent average day would be something like:

Wake 6.30/7am
E - 7 (milk & fruit)
E - 7.30/8 Breakfast
S - 11/11.30-1/1.30
E - 1.30 lunch
E - 5.30 dinner
S - 7.30 (or before depending on how early nap is)

Sianie - if your LO naps between 12-2, when do you give lunch, before his nap? I'm never really sure whether before is too early or after too late.

I'm thinking if he has napped a little later he is capable, maybe it is the teeth afterall... if that is the case should I still try keep him awake or jut go with the flow until this passes?

I know its not a massive deal, but i'd hate to see all my hard work up till now go to pot! I already struggle with my (well meaning but non understanding) mum, who is a total winger and cannot stick to a routine. Drives me bonkers but she wont change and it's not worth getting excited about - life's hard enough!

Thanks x

[sianie]

Yes teething does generally make LO's more tired & it sounds like your LO has a lot going on with all those teeth coming through! Are you giving meds before sleep to help with the teething?

If it is teething then it is a case of trying to ride things out the best you can, A-times might be a little shorter so you could bring the nap forward to say 12pm. Stick with this time for a few days & see if it helps & do an early Bt if he short naps.

Re: lunch I do a split lunch so DS gets something to eat at around 11.30am & then a snack when he wakes at around 2pm.