Am I getting DD's A times and naps right.... tweeked until i can tweek no more!

[ZacsMumme]

BEcky, Z is spirited and we did exactly the same thing BUT I kept Z in bed/dark till 6am then started our day. Why, because otherwise he got OT and couldnt last...and he thrives on routine so I knew if I was consistant it would work. It also mean the A time if 4.5 hours meant the nap was a min of 10.30 but more likely 11.

Wake - whatever horrid hour it is (generally stupid o'clock)
Nap no earlier than 11am (hold her out with whatever tactic you need to use!) - do not wake but do resettle if needed.  Pray for a 2 hr +nap
BT no earlier than 630pm.  Hold her out with whatever tactic you need to use!

We also did a 6pm BT, but that is because I knew Z tacked on. If your LO doesnt tack (forgive me if im wrong Kara but A didnt tack as much as Z is that right?) then 6.30 is a better time.

If you HAVE to do a CN dont make it any earlier than a 4.25hr A time, and as hard as it is cap it at 30mins MAX....with BT 2hrs later.

HenaV

[*Kara*]

If your LO doesnt tack (forgive me if im wrong Kara but A didnt tack as much as Z is that right?) then 6.30 is a better time.

Very rarely does she tack on   She will now a bit, but never did before the 2-1 so I had to pick my battles!

[*Becky*]

yes I think once DH is around in a couple of weeks I am going to try this rather than short am/long pm which works in terms of naps but does not seem to be solving the EWing....

Hena V - she is 12.5 months.

[*Kara*]

I would go ahead with it Becky... it will be a tough couple of weeks, but so worth it when you get there

[HenaV]

Hey ladies,

We're in day 3 and Things seem to be progressing nicely. DD wakes around 1/2am for a bit of a chat or grumble but it's not for long, certainly not the hour long entertainment sessions we were having but us Sleeping 11h and is so much happier for it, yay!

Day 1 was a bit rocky, she  napped for over 3h before waking herself and that night did wake at 1am and 4.45 but went back off. Yesterday, she only napped for 2h and had to have a 20m CN, BT at 7. I heard something from her around 2ish but she otherwise STTN and has just woken (6.15). I know it's early days but thank you, I feel like I am finally getting somewhere.

One query (there's always one!!) DD has a party to go to on Sat, it's at 12noon. Is there anyway to work her naps so as not to mess things up? I thinking she should perhaps miss the party, but equally that feels a bit mean. Any thoughts?

Thanks

H

[ZacsMumme]

great progress!
Well IIWM I'd let Z nap then go but then I was pretty silly about his naps.
How long is the party, could you offer a 1.5 hr nap a bit early then a Cn on way home?

[HenaV]

IIWM??

The party is 12-2pm, typically right in the middle of her new nap time. I want to be flexible about it, I think it's important to be especially given that we are very routine driven but I guess it makes me anxious because I've had what feels like an eternity of broken sleep battling with this 2-1 transition and illness.

Letting her have 1.5h in the morning would mean putting her to bed at 10/10.15?
I was wondering  if 45m at 10.45/11am followed by a longer nap In the  afternoon would work, but I'm worried she might then be OT a d the whole horrible cycle starts again?

What Do u reckon?

H

[*Kara*]

I would do a short AM/long PM as you suggested

[HenaV]

Thanks Kara. Typically, how long after she wakes from the short AM nap would u aim to put to bed for the longer PM nap, and how long for?

I was thinking 2h at about 2.30? That would about 3h after she gets up from 45m am nap - not sure if that's typically too much if a stretch on a 45m nap? Also I wasn't sure I'd that would mean shed keep too late in the day?

Thanks

H

[*Kara*]

A 45 min nap could well get you a full A time since it is a full sleep cycle!  I would let her have an hour, enjoy the party and then let her crash on the way home... you don't want too long of a nap in the PM after an hour in the AM or you could get BT antics   I would do an early BT if she needs it.

[HenaV]

Great thanks so much. I take it it will be ok to break the 11 am rule for one day and put her to bed  at 10.30 for an hour. The journey home frOm the party is only  about 15m so she may not drop off in the car - so would you say perhaps no more than 1h ( or less) when we get bk with EBT ad she needs it (hopefully not earlier than 6.30pm)?

[*Kara*]

If she doesn't fall asleep in the car, I would give her an hour and then do 4 hrs to BT, if she can manage it

[HenaV]

That's really helpful. Thanks very much 

[HenaV]

Hey Ladies,

Just wanted to report in about Sat (party day) as it may help someone else ofcourse but also because I am astonished.

Friday night DD woke a couple of times, 11.15pm chatted til midnight and off and then the same at 4.50am for a bout 15m. I then woke her at 7am. The day then looked like this:

Nap 1: 10.30-11.45 (woken for the party - not happy)
Nap 2: 2.30-3.30 (woken - not too bad but beyond tired when I put her to bed - horrid)
BT: 7.20 (asleep by 7.30)

AND THEN SSTN and woke at 7.15am the next day.... woohooo!!!

I have been so tempted to follow the above every day but I know that constantly waking my DD from both naps makes her horribly OT. But it is good to know that if needs be the routine can be flexible without disaterous consequences - thanks Kara.

Today is a week since we've been 'washing and rinsing' the new plan. We're still getting some NW&EW for a chat but on the whole she goes back off - so on the whole a HUGE improvement, so I think we'll just stick with it for now?

H 

[ZacsMumme]

great progress Im not saying this is the reason but sometimes after wonky days Z will STTN wonderfully because he is so tired from the stimulation and short nap/s so it could have been a one if (in that if you do this over and over she may start to wake etc)

Wonderful things are improving. Let us know how today goes x