Need some fresh eyes - how to extend nights

[Mama2C]

Hi!! DS is 2. He has been an early waker for ages. He was always an early riser and at about 20 months of age he started to wake up earlier and earlier. We thought about possible ut/ot, changed his routine a bit and still he'd wake up early. So I started to nurse him back to sleep. Tsk tsk I know. A few weeks ago we decided enough of nursing back to sleep as he was sometimes waking at 1 or 2am wanting to nurse. Heck no!

So DH started to go in to put DS back to sleep. For the first week he'd cry out for me and then he realized I wasn't coming, only DH was coming so he started to allow DH to rub his back during NWs. He'd normally sleep until 6:30 during these NW nights.

Since this weekend, he has been STTN which is awesome but he has also been waking at 5/5:30am! WAY too early. He'd have a 2hr nap (I'd wake him so that BT wasn't at 9) from 12-2 and BT at 8.

I want to extend his nights!!! This morning I was so tired that I just nursed him and he went back to sleep until I woke him at 7:30!!!!! Nap was at 1 and I'll get him up at 2:15 so he is in bed at 8...

What can I do? In the past we have tried wi/wo, rubbing his back, we've tried short naps for a few days, long naps...not sure what to do!

[*Becky*]

If he is awake at 5.30am, 8pm is way too late really especially as he is doing a super long first A time. If you want to keep nap at 12pm then I would have him asleep by 7pm.

The other option is to bring his nap forward as he is more than likely OT by the time it comes around so nap him 11-1pm and then bedtime at 6pm.

Either way his day needs shortening by a couple of hours.

[Khalam's Mama]

I agree. When you did a shorter nap did you do a shorter A after or keep bt the same?

[Mama2C]

Great suggestion. I don't know why I didn't consider an earlier nap. I think it's because we're always out and about enjoying the warmer weather lately and not in until after 11....

I'll see how his morning is tomorrow night...Today he woke up at 5, I rocked him, rubbed his back to sleep by 6 and he was up at 7:15. Today refusing a nap. Sigh. Early night for him no doubt....

[Buntybear]

Hi, if we get any EWs then it is usually OT and I slightly earlier BT helps.

[Mama2C]

We've now had some STTNs and WU at 6:20 which is MUCH better than 5!! We'll keep an eye on OT...the line between OT/UT has always been very thin for DS...

[Buntybear]

Is that from going down earlier at 7? A great nights sleep!

[*Becky*]

sounds much better

[Mama2C]

By the time he falls asleep it's usually closer to 7:45. This morning though he was up again at 5:30! Sigh. A lot has to do with naps...he had a long 2hr+ nap yesterday. I'm not feeling well these days - cold or something - so just letting him nap so I can get through the days!!