Could my 18 month old want a shorter day nap? NW and EW

[sayfinegan]

My DS2 has always been early to drop day sleep.  He was on 1 nap at a year of 1.5 hours and slept 12 at night.

He turned 18 months and I think he needs less day sleep but I am not sure.  He keeps wakening early 5:40 or between 2am - 4am and will not go back to sleep.  This am he woke and 4am and cried every 20 miniutes until 6:30.

Should I cut his nap to 1h?  I just don't feel very confident as it doesn't seem long enough.  My DS1 sleps for 3 hours ever afternoon until the age of 37 months!  They are totally different day sleepers!

Please help!

[Buttonbobs]

Hi there. There is a sleep regression at 18 months that causes EWs and NWs and nap resistance of just the kind you have described. Usually it pays to continue doing what you are and not making any significant changes to routine during the SR and things sort of get back on track by themselves.

Just in case it is something else, is he teething at all? Do you offer meds before naps/BT? If it makes a difference you could also try a dream-fed medicine at about 2am. It may help the wakings.

I wouldn't be keen to advise you to cut the nap even further so young. My DD is fairly LSN and she had a dip in sleep during the development and SR at 18 months, but went back to her longer nap and no NWs once it had passed.

What do you think?

There is a support thread here if it helps you to talk about it:

18 month sleep regression support thread - Part 2

[sayfinegan]

Thank you so much for you reply.  It never ceases to amaze me how kind you all are and helping people when they don't know what to try next.

I will give your suggestions a go and try some meds at 2am. 

I can't say thank you enough for taking the time to answer and I will get back to you if I have any results. 

Sarah xx

[Buttonbobs]

You are very very welcome. I hope it helps xx