some questions about the 3-2 switch

[Gigismom]

it's been a while since i visited the nap boards!! my oldest has faithfully been on one nap a day for over a year now, so i've forgotten the drama that comes with dropping a nap.    so if someone can refresh my memory, i would REALLY appreciate it!!

my dd2 (who just turned 1 year) is on 3 naps right now, but showing definite signs of wanting to drop a nap (not seeming tired at her naptimes, etc).  but every day that we do the 2 nap thing, even though she gets about the same amount (in terms of hours) sleep as she does on the 3 nap days, she has the WORST nights...can't fall asleep at bedtime, awake several times during the night, etc.  is this normal??  i can't remember!!!!!!!

also, is it ok to switch back and forth between 2 and 3 naps per day depending on what time she wakes in the morning??  like when she gets up at 7am, we have no problem doing just 2 naps.  but when she wakes at 6 am, there is NO way that she can only do 2 naps.  is it confusing to her to keep switching her between 2 and 3 naps??  i do want her on 2 naps a day, so how do i do that on the days she is up at 6??

ok, i think i have more questions but no time to type as 2 kids are hungry!!  i'll be back later.  TIA

[debo620]

Hi Lindsay, please post your normal day with nap times and lengths and I'll see if I can help. 

[Gigismom]

hi

on 2 nap days:

7 wake
10-11:15/11:30 nap
2:30-4 nap
7:30 bed

on 3 nap days:
6 wake
8:30-9 nap
12:30-2 nap
4:30-5:15 nap
8 bed

Thanks!

[debo620]

Hi Lindsay,

I think the 2 nap day looks very reasonable for a 12month old. I think you sort of have to be careful with early wakes and allowing them to nap early and nap more, as this can really reinforce the shorter night and early wakes, which are of course very difficult to deal with iwhen it gets to the 1 nap territory

if she wakes early, lets say at 6am,
I actually would leave her in her crib if possible to close to the normal time of 7

and then do naps as close to the regular nap times as possible without creating overtiredness,
9:30-11
2-3:30
bed 15min early 7:15

[Gigismom]

I think you sort of have to be careful with early wakes and allowing them to nap early and nap more, as this can really reinforce the shorter night and early wakes, which are of course very difficult to deal with iwhen it gets to the 1 nap territory

i think you are dead on here.

yesterday she had 3 naps but then wouldn't go to sleep til after 8:30pm.  and then she woke this am at 5.    

so on the days she wakes up super early, should i still do only 2 naps??  she's up so early that she needs 3 naps, but if i give her 3 naps, the early wakings persist.  it's like a vicious cycle...i hate it!!!!!!!  today even though she woke at 5, i did not put her down for a nap til 9:30am.  she then woke at 10:10am.     i guess i will try to keep her up til at least 2 pm and pray that the last nap is longer than 30 mins. 

[debo620]

oh totally understand!

my son does  that too if he falls asleep late, wakes early 

I think the only real thing you can do with a 5am wake is yes still 2 naps:
 but maybe 9-10:30, 1:30/2-3:30
then bed 1/2hr early.

I think at this age, with early wakes, it is better to have them take 2 naps and then bring bedtime forward.

With a 40min am nap, I would offer the 2nd nap no later then 1:30 today, (otherwise she will have a OT 30min nap) and bring bedtime up to no later then 7

[Gigismom]

thank you deborah.  i'm going to persist with the 2 naps and hope she settles into that routine.