2.5yo - to nap or not to nap, that is the question?!

[creations]

I think I'd go for a longer nap (slightly later then don't cap or cap later) and a later BT. I know you would prefer the night to be longer but I'm not sure you'll get that until the nap has dropped.  With a later/longer nap he should make it easily to a later BT and the over night sleep coming later should help with the early morning moving later.
It's a tricky transition, hugs, it won't be for ever xx

[labrodyk]

How do I get a longer nap? The most he's ever done is 1.5hrs? How late bedtime is necessary?

[creations]

11/11.5 hour days on those he naps but I'm waking by 3.30 to try and maintain 7pm BT.

I mean not to cap at 3.30 if/when you are doing to maintain BT.  So perhaps nap at 1.45/2.00 without capping. Likely he'll wake 3.30/4.00 and do BT at 8pm rather than 7am.
Moving nap and BT both later has the effect similar to clock change, just shifting the routine on.

[labrodyk]

Creatioms, you have helped me SO much you incredible lady. Thank you. I thought I'd touch base with you again only because we've had this random extension of nights after built up OT and sickness - similar to your LO. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

I have been capping and maintaining our 7pm bedtime as opposed to letting him sleep. It is causing a few issues in that by 12.30/1pm he's started losing his cool VERY easily, super temperamental and has me walking on egg shells (similar to after waking from nap). Having said that, he's getting far more sleep than he used to - up to 12hrs+ in 24 hours. He's even looking at Mr Sun in the morning and laying there dozing rather than getting OOB which is so weird for us! I've kept an EAS log to show you...

Monday 27-July
WU: ?. Came to my room at 6.20. Returned to bed
OOB: 7.00
Nap: 1.50, asleep 2.10 - 3.30 (capped/woken)
BT: 7.06, asleep 7.36

NW: 3.20 - returned to bed. Asleep 4.10

Tuesday 28-July
WU: 6.00
OOB: 7.00
Nap: asleep 1.50 in car. Woke 2.30. Fell asleep in my bed (I fell asleep at 3) and woke at 4 and he was asleep.
BT: 7.20, asleep 8.05
** sick with fever**

Wednesday 29-July
WU: 7ish, dozed until 8.00
OOB: 8.00
Nap: NND. Rested in front of movie
BT: 6.30, asleep 6.45

Thursday 30-July
WU: 6.30
OOB: 7.00
Nap: 2.00, asleep 2.15 - 3.30 (capped)
^^ took me an hour to calm him down and he was miserable until bedtime
BT: 7.05, asleep 8.10

Friday 31-July
WU: 6.20, retrieved comforters from floor then lay quietly but chatting from 6.40
OOB: 7.00
Nap: 2.00, asleep 2.15 - 3.30 (capped)
^^ hubby said he was really good for him. They just watched a movie until dinner time
BT: 7.10, asleep 7.45

Saturday 1-August
WU: 6.45
OOB: 7.00
Nap: 2.10, asleep 2.25 - 3.30 (capped)
^^ not too bad after waking but still a little edgy for the rest of arvo
BT: 7.05, asleep 7.35

Sunday 2-August
WU: 6.45 - I woke him to take DH to work...
Nap: 2.00 in the car but wouldn't sleep despite being really tired/cranky
BT: 7.00, asleep 7.15
NW: a few cry outs between 11.30-12.30 but didn't wake entirely.

Monday 3-August
WU: 7.15 but dozing now still at 7.30 despite mr sun up  

[creations]

It is causing a few issues in that by 12.30/1pm he's started losing his cool VERY easily, super temperamental and has me walking on egg shells (similar to after waking from nap). Having said that, he's getting far more sleep than he used to - up to 12hrs+ in 24 hours.

I wonder if a 2pm nap is too late?  Mine did have a 2pm nap but I let him sleep a full 2hrs.

Mind you - there is likely no perfect routine during this transition, so if this is working for you then I'd just stick with it!

[labrodyk]

That's a good question and I wondered the same although we had a home day today and his mood was much better (not perfect but better). After his long night I thought 2pm would be fine but he just lay in bed and hopped out to get books and didn't sleep at all!

[creations]

Perhaps 2pm is ok for a home day and try to put him down earlier after a busy morning of activity or an out and about morning.

Sounds like a good night sleep led to a NND so perhaps EBT is needed on those days.

[labrodyk]

I was thinking 2pm would be fine because he can do that with minimal issues when he wakes at 5 or 5.30 but not when he's had an 11/11.5hr or 12hr night and woken at 6/6.30 and even 7? Surely he's not tired. He's never done this before so it's really confusing.

Have put him down at 6.30 tonight to compensate for NND.