Shorten naptime or delay bedtime...

[Jacksmom77]

Hello everyone -

Okay, my ds has been pretty predictable (and easy) for his sleep the past few weeks - here was our schedule

545-6: wake up
1030: 2 1/2 to 3 hour nap
700: Bedtime

We have had no problems in these past few weeks with this - although I have been concerned that the nap was getting too long.  Well, the past few days he will act really tired around 5pm - he'll have dinner around 530 or 545 - bath at 6pm (usual) and then our winddown for bed...usually we would watch a little Baby Einstein and then go into his room, listen to music, drink a sippy - cuddle and I would put him into bed - although now he will not stay still -  even for B.E. - he will wriggle to get out of my lap and run around with TONS AND TONS of energy and wants to play.  So, I will try a few times to get him to calm down but if he keeps trying to get down and play - I put him in his crib, turn the light out and he plays in his crib (or fusses/cries) for up to 1 1/2.  If he cries too much I will go in and try and hold him again just until he settles down - if he struggles again I put him back in his crib...this is getting worse and worse where last night I put him in his crib around 7:15 and he stayed awake in there until 8:47 - waking up around 3 times...so, should I decrease his nap to no longer than 2 hours or move his bedtime back to maybe, 8pm?

Any advice would be helpful - thanks!

[mrsrobbo]

could you not move the nap to a little later, say just after lunch??? We had a similar problem, Bradley would be getting sleepy around 10.30 so i would put him down he would sleep for hours. he owuld get tired around 5.30 but i didnt want him to have another nap as it was close to his bedtime, so we kept him awake, then he wouldnt go to sleep when it was bedtime!
I gradually moved his nap to after lunch, he was easier to entertain and keep awake in the mornings. Its a long time to stay awake from having a morning nap. It worked for us!
He now naps around1-3pm and is asleep by 7.15pm....good luck!

[Two mummies]

We have the same problem with Riley if we let her have her one daytime nap in the  morning. She is just over tired by the time 6.30 bedtime arrives that she can't sleep despite yawning, rubbing her eyes etc etc etc. It sucks having to deal with keeping her awake until after lunch but it guarentee's that she will actually go to sleep at her normal bedtime.

Honestly the whole transition to one nap thing sucks big time!

Soph

[aisling]

Hi Brandi! 

If you could push the nap until 11:30, maybe he would only do 2 hours 2 1/4 hours naturally or you could limit it.  Perhaps the early waking is due to him waking and saying, I'll get up for a bit and then catch up on my early nap.  This way his nap is quite possibly an extension of night time sort of, for him.  Maybe if it was at 11:30 which is further away from the morning and closer to the afternoon, IYKWIM, it would be more of a real daytime activity recovery nap.  Then he wouldn't be so overtired at bed and you may get that extra 45 min or 1hr in the a.m and have a more desirable wake up time?  Not sure if I explained it right, am dealing with our nap issues too, so I am tired! LOL!

Aisling x

Ps.  Can't believe you are already 30 weeks pregnant, hope you are well!

[Jacksmom77]

Thanks to everyone for your replies...you know, I was wondering if I should delay his naptime a bit - but he is always SOOO tired by that time - much more than at that 5-530 window where he gets tired.  But, I think I'm going to see if I can extend it a bit.  I find it extremely frustrating because he's been so amped up he won't stay still & cuddle with me - I only have 10 weeks left with JUST him (as the new little guy will be here after that) - and I really want to take advantage - oh'well - if he only knew

Thanks again - I'll try delaying nap and let you know how it goes!

[mari]

I sometimes find it difficult to extend the baby that I care for if he has been awake early.  Basically, don't let him sit down!! No car journeys or buggy rides until 12pm!  We play, sing, dance and do anything to keep him awake.  He is much better now, but in the beginning I did it 20 minutes later ever couple of days.
Good luck and with the new little one.