15mo - routine disappeared - NW + SER!

[labrodyk]

Could anyone please potentially explain to me why H is miserable and cries all morning before a 12/12.30 nap when they've woken at 6.30/7am; BUT is happy, a joy to be around, and does not say boo when put down at said nap, having woken at 5/5.30am? I can't understand it and it's doing my head in. I tried putting him down later 12.30 which helped push the morning wakeup time to 6.30/7 and I thought that sleeping in would make him happier, but it didn't.
 

I'm soooo confused 

[Buttonbobs]

Honey, can you post your last few days and nights in EAS format (ie WU time, times of nap start and finish, and BT - together with any NWs) so we can look at the whole thing for you. It's not easy to see what you've been doing consistently from your posts above, sorry. ((Hugs))

Also, Sara asked above whether his teething has finished. Do you think the canines are through yet?

[labrodyk]

Easter has thrown us out of whack as we went away so EAS wouldn't be very helpful but I'll record a few days of us back at 12pm to post shortly. Sorry I'm hard to follow and a bit all over the place - I'll post properly soon!

Today was;

WU: 5.40
OOB: 6.30
Nap: 12-1.30
BT: 7.00

Went down for nap without crying for the first time in a week! Afternoon was horrible as we went grocery shopping and he wanted out of the pram and to push the trolley so was crying from the second we got there and went to put him in pram in the car park! Fine when we got home though, good dinner, was happy and went to bed without a peep at 7.

Canines are all through so don't think it's teething - unless he's getting 2 yr old molars although can't feel anything yet...

[Buttonbobs]

Ok, well that looks pretty good to me - apart from the early start (which I presume you'd rather BT have). The reason for shifting nap time and BT later is so the whole day shifts a bit later, you do it slowly shifting both nap and BT later by 15 mins every few days so he can adjust. You seem to be getting better naps now (if I'm remembering correctly) but still the EWs. I do think this is because nap and BT haven't really changed time significantly since we started talking about it.

Let me know how you get on the next few days xxx

[labrodyk]

Hi Naomi,

I completely understand your logic but I seem to be doing something wrong and the level of OT and crankiness seems to be far more than what is "usual/normal" during changes to sleep times. I'm also really hesitant of later BT than 7/7.30 because H still wakes at the same time. Given H is so high needs I also really need that early evening time for me and DH - is that really selfish? Having said that, I need to do something so please just tell me what to do 

EAS for today;

WU: 6.20 chatting
OOB: 7.00
Nap: 11.55. Asleep by 12 but crying at 1.10! Went in and his 2 comforters were on the floor so gave back and sat next to cot (no eye contact, sleep time phrase) for 30 mins but just dozed around the room and stared at me. Left the room and he cried but lay quietly for 10 mins.
OOB: 1.50
BT: 7.00

I don't know where to start with WU, OOB, nap or BT I'm in such a pickle all the time...

[ZacsMumme]

Ok Hun I'm going to tell you what I would do - and I honestly think it will work but you have to stick to it for longer than a week.

Your nap is creeping backwards again, it's causing more EW and an UT/OT loop IMO. He's over 18 mths so I think a 1.5 hr nap is ok with a shorter day, it's not ideal no, but it's not terrible either.

So I would do this for a week....
If WU is before 6.30 keep in cot, otherwise get him up.
WU 6.30
Nap 12.30-2.30 if he sleeps longer wake him up...2 hr nap is restorative.
BT 7 (or as close to it as you can make) - if the nap is only 1.5 you can pull BT forward if you need to.

If WU is later then move the day with it - nap goes later, BT goes later. Or if you want an EBT or 12 hr day you may need to cap the nap yourself at 1hr30/45

The crankiness could be a ton of things. t is a crank ATM developmentally. go out for the morning then give him a snack or lunch before cranky time hits. Plonk him down for some wiggles and a cuddle if he's struggling. Or read some books

HTH

[cath~]

Hello,

I've only read the last couple of pages but I think PP's advice seems spot on to me.  I'd def try it for a week as suggested so you can really know if it helps or not.

Also, as she said, the crankiness is not necessarily to do with sleep/OT.  This is a prime age for crankiness I'm afraid what with some big developmental changes afoot and also maybe teething canines.  I remember L was particularly trying!

Lots of ((hugs)) it is tricky when there's so much going on and lo isn't happy, but I think trying something (ie what Pp suggested) consistently and sticking to it for at least a week really is your best bet ATM.

Hth x

[labrodyk]

Thanks so much ladies...i'll give it a go.

Today he's just started chatting at 6.50 - do I adjust the 12.30 sleep time or keep as is? I'm a little confused about how to adjust the day based on wake but also want to be consistent so won't moving the nap time be inconsistent?

Many thanks
xx

[ZacsMumme]

Go for 12.50 so work on 12.30 as the earliest the nap will be though. Go for a6 hr A time. Nap, then 4.5 hr A to BT.

Once/if things start to settle then I'd move to a fixed nap of 1pm as your end goal

[labrodyk]

Oh wow, 12.50!! Thanks so much for replying so quickly what do you recommend re. lunch and play before nap? Straight to bed after lunch or keep playing? I don't want to excite him too much though I think by 12 he'll be whinging constantly.

[Buttonbobs]

I'd give him a lite time after lunch to let his good settle and rule out any need to have a nappy change but some light play - nothing too physical - and then into your wind down for nap.

[labrodyk]

You're all stars. Thank you! I'll keep you posted but I'm a little scared...it's going to be a rough week

[cath~]

Keep us posted. Hope it goes well

[ZacsMumme]

Just remember hey don't die from lack of sleep

[kaipooi]

LOL@ZacsMumme