No idea about when pm nap should be!!

[Kempy66]

Help....

8.5 month old has been SLTT for abou 4 weeks (although waking very early!) but seriously protesting naps for the last 2 weeks. I have never got a proper routine sorted, as the afternoon nap has never been at a consistent time. I don't know when it should be- it doesn't go we'll if its at 12.30 or 2.30- a lot of protesting usually. And only lasts 45 mins. The only way it is longer is if she has a rubbish morning nap (40 mins).

She had colic and has reflux and allergies so had a rough start in the world which I think has had an effect. I know she is not getting enough net sleep (12 hours in 24) but I can't seem to extend it. 

Someone has suggested she should go to one nap a day, but I think she is too young?!?

Day is :

Wu 5.30
Milk 6.15 ish
Breakfast 7.30
Nap-8.45/9.00 for 1hr 15 ( if goes well)
Snack
Lunch 11.45

Nap in afternoon at some point!!! Usually only has 45 mins

Then often falls asleep in pram/car for 30 mins in late afternoon if opportunity

Bed 7.15 -  7.30

Thanks in advance

[Layla]

Hi there and welcome to the BW

I too think she's too young to be on 1 nap but it is around this age that they start to fight the afternoon nap if the morning nap is too long. I've attached a link for you to read through - we did the shorter morning/longer afternoon nap. You mentioned her afternoon nap is good if the morning nap is shorter - if this routine is working for you, you could let that be the pattern until she's ready for longer A time and ready for 1 nap.

I would do the pm nap about 3-3.5hrs after a short morning nap (say if its 45 mins).

This was our routine:
6ish - wake
9-9:45 - morning nap
1-2.30/3 - afternoon nap
6.30ish - bedtime

We pretty much kept that routine until 15/16 months

From 2 to 1 nap transition (10-12m and older)

Let me know if you have any other questions

[Kempy66]

Thanks for your reply. - yes my instincts say she isnt ready for one nap.

yesterday she:

WU 5.30
nap 8.50-10.15

tried to put down at 1.00 (didnt work)
nap 2.00-3.15

tried to put to bed for 6.45 but didnt go to sleep until 7.15

we are trying to put her to bed earlier as I know she isnt getting enough net sleep, but she wont actually fall asleep until 7.15 at the earliest it seems.  she wakes at 5.30 which is the problem.  any advice on EW?  this morning it was 5.10 (DH up early for work probably woke her). I ignored her until 5.50, she was on off shouting/protesting not full on until the end so I went in.

She just wont sleep longer than 10 hours.....! but can self settle as doesnt wake in the night anymore, and can settle at bedtime, (although used to be better at this...since we went on holiday 3 weeks ago, settling hasn't been as good)

thanks in advance.

[Layla]

My thoughts are the morning nap may need to be pushed so you could slowly try adding 10-15mins every 3-4 days until you get closer to 9.30am. If she's had a decent am nap (sometimes as long as 1 hr), she may not be ready for the pm nap 3 hrs later. Also if the pm nap is too late, that can push bedtime too

It might be a case of trial and error. You could try the 45mins am nap and pm nap about 3-3.5hrs later (let her sleep say up to 2hrs) and offer bedtime about 3.5-4hrs later. Try that for 3-4 days to see if it will make a difference to her wake up time. Start with the am nap at 9am and slowly push it until its closer to 9:30/10am.