nap times for 21 month old advice please

[Newbie mum]

Hello my 21 month old has been napping and sleeping well for a long time.

She naps for 3 hours during the day which I think is long for her age and sleeps from 7pm-approx 0640am.

Her EASY schedule is:
A: 0640am (approx)
Nap: Between 1030 and 11am for 3 hours
Bed: 7pm

She was poorly approximately a week ago with a a tummy bug and then she has been very busy with family Christmas day and Boxing day but looks like she has recovered now.

Last night she woke at approx 3.30am and would not go back to sleep with milk (this would normally work). She got very worked up and I think wanted to come into my bed. I would normally welcome her but we are trying to stop this as she gets too excited being in there and does not sleep. She wants to watch a cartoon on my phone when in my bed and not sleep (she did this for a few nights when she was poorly).

I've put her to bed for her nap this morning and she went down fine but has woken at 30mins, chatting and calling out. Can you remind me if this is OT or UT please?

Do you think I should try and reduce her day time sleep or schedule? What do you think is causing the night wake up? She did it when she was poorly and I assumed it was a tummy bug but she has now done the same when better. I would like to get my good sleeper back! Thanks for your advice.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

That is rather a long nap and given the nw and nap disturbances I would guess she is UT an needs the nap cut back a bit. I would probably start by pushing the nap ahead to more like 11:30/12:00. I think by that age most of my kids napped after lunch (but they had a later morning wake up though). Then shorten as much as you think is needed.

[Newbie mum]

Hello, thank you for your reply.

My dd is now 22months old (will be 23 months old on Monday).

I took your advice and have tried pushing her nap back. She seems quite tired at about 1130am but can keep going after that time. The problem is that she now goes down to nap fine and I think she has fallen asleep and after about 20mins she is wide awake and doesn't have a nap at all for the day. For a girl who used to nap for 3 hours, I think no nap is not good for her and she is obviously tired from about 5pm.

I try to put her down for a nap at 12noon. I have also tried 12:30 or even 1pm but non of these times work.

I would be most grateful for your advice as I want to get a bit of schedule back especially as dc number two is due in 6 weeks! Thank you!

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Is she still waking at the same time in the morning? And the nw's have continued?  I had a similar age gap with my first two kids and it was hard having a toddler resist naps with another on the way!

I wonder would she go down at 11:30 and maybe cap the nap and see if you get a better night and then push the nap forward?

[Newbie mum]

Hello, she's waking later in the morning if has no sleep in the day and sleeps all through the night with no waking up.
I'll give what you say a try and see if she will go down at 1130ish and cap the nap at 2 hours.
Will keep you posted :-)