Author Topic: Help with 2.5yo Nap Please!  (Read 6015 times)

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Offline KKmom

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Help with 2.5yo Nap Please!
« on: March 10, 2021, 01:24:06 am »
Hi!
I used this board quite a bit with my older son and now I'm back for guidance with my younger. He is 2yr8mos and I'm struggling with how best to manage his naps (without giving them up completely- I am big on naps and my older son napped until he was 6yo). His nap times are getting later and later, thus getting shorter and shorter since I still wake him up at 5:15 regardless in order to get him to bed at night. He plays and talks and rolls around in his crib, but will not fall asleep.

This was his usual schedule:
Wake- 7:30
Nap- asleep at 2:30 for 1.5-2hrs
Bedtime- start at 7:30 (books), usually asleep at 8:30/sometimes 9

He starts nap routine at 1:30 (books, milk) and it used to take him about 45min-1 hour to fall asleep, so he would be asleep by 2:30 or 2:45. He will usually nap 1.5-2hrs when he falls asleep. These last couple of weeks his fall asleep time is getting later and later. First it was 3p, then 3:30 or 4. Today he didn't fall asleep until 4:45!! So he's only getting a 30min nap today. The problem is that with a 5:15 nap wake time, he won't fall asleep early even with a short nap. His bedtimes are also drifting later- sometimes he falls asleep at 9:15. Here are my Qs...

1. IF I want to hold on to his nap, should I push back his nap time and put him down to nap more like 2 or 3p? Would that make him MORE tired and more likely to fall asleep when he do goes to nap?
2. OR is he getting overtired and maybe I should put him down for nap EARLIER than 1:30? When he was younger he would get OT and super spun up and wouldn't be able to settle down for nap. It's similar now- he looks really tired by around 3-3:30, rubbing his eyes and yawning, but he just can't seem to fall asleep.   
3. I am flexible on when he naps and how late he falls asleep at night- it doesn't matter much to me. I just want to figure out the best strategy to get him to fall asleep for his nap. The two hours of time waiting for him to fall asleep for nap, going in and out of his room, telling him to sleep, etc. is really exhausting and it's a waste of time because he's not sleeping or up playing!

I do want him to continue napping and I'm not ready to transition off entirely. With our schedule it isn't feasible to get him in bed at 6 or 6:30 and I don't want to short him on total sleep.

He went to the dentist about a month ago and one of his 2yo molar was about to break through, with the other following closely behind. Teething could be an issue, but I hate to give Tylenol/Motrin every day if I'm not sure?? Teething should only be a temporary issue right, like for a couple days?  I think this is a broader issue with his sleep.

Thanks for your guidance!
Kristin

Offline KKmom

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Re: Help with 2.5yo Nap Please!
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2021, 19:21:54 pm »
Any advice from moms out there? Appreciate any guidance. 
After getting through the time change last week, we have leveled off at a fairly consistent 7:15-7:30 wake, 3:30 fall asleep for nap and 9-9:30 fall asleep for bedtime.  I've capped his naps at 1hr30now and waking him by 5:15 at the latest.  This may just be the best that it gets, which is Ok. I'd really like to hang on to those naps for longer.

If someone could weigh in on the questions, I welcome the input and ideas!

Thanks,
Kristin

Offline Katet

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Re: Help with 2.5yo Nap Please!
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2021, 00:52:11 am »
At 2.5yo some do give up naps. My SIL had one who gave them up around 2.5yo and the other was past 4yo, different temperament. So while you might be pro naps, sometimes you needs to realise that the child's biology is different.

One area that can help is increased activity at 2-3yo you'd be looking at 3-4 hours of active physical play preferably outdoors. If they spend a lot of time sitting then less sleep is often needed

I'd actually consider trying earlier for a nap as sometimes lengthy A time brings a second wind and sleep isn't an option.

Both mine loved day sleep (not so much night unfortunately) and didn't really have a set nap time, they could fall asleep in the car or stroller after an activity or in bed just depended on the day. It was more about what they needed that day based on activities.

Anyway if it was me. I'd aim for no more than 6hours from wake up.make sure he gets plenty of fresh air and walking/running/climbing in the morning and then settle for a nap. If he doesn't nap, but tests, then get him up after an hour and try again the next day, you may find he only naps some days and not others too.
dc1 July 03, dc2 May 05