10/11mo sleep gone wonky? Read this first! Around 10-11 months babies tend to show signs of starting the transition from 2 naps to 1. (As with all things, this may be a little earlier or later for some lo’s.)
This change in sleep patterns usually manifests in one of 3 ways:
1. LO takes a good morning nap but refuses the afternoon nap
2. LO refuses to take the morning nap
3. LO takes 2 good naps but wakes earlier and earlier in the morning.
Many parents interpret nap refusal as a sign that lo is ready for 1 nap- this is not the case! The transition typically takes a few months and although this is the start, most los finally go to 1 nap anywhere between 12-18mo.
All these are, however, signs that your lo needs less daytime sleep now and more A time. Most lo’s however cannot cut down on their daytime sleep on their own, and need help.
If point #1 and #3 above apply to your lo, the solution recommended for you (commonly used by members here) is to shorten the morning nap by waking lo earlier than normal. Most parents start by shortening this nap to 1hr or 45 mins (assuming lo has been napping for 1.5hrs normally). A shorter nap will leave lo less rested, so lo will be ready for their pm nap and stop refusing it.
If your lo is a habitual early waker, then as well as shortening the am nap, you need to move it slightly later, perhaps by 20- 30 minutes. This will encourage your lo to start sleeping longer at night so they can’t “catch up” that lost night sleep so quickly.
If point #2 above applies to your lo, and he/she tends to refuse the am nap, then try following the method described by Tracy in her book (BWSAYP p. 284). Offer the am nap later then usual, so lo is more ready for it, and let them sleep as long as they need. If that leaves a long stretch until bedtime, try to get a late afternoon catnap out of them, and/ or go for a really early bedtime. Very gradually over time move this am nap later and later, keeping bedtime as early as need be to prevent overtiredness. The eventual aim is to get the nap at lunchtime, starting around 12 noon from a 7am wakeup, so lo can keep a “normal” bedtime”.
Bear in mind that when you start to change lo’s sleep patterns it will take at least a few days if not over a week for their body clock to readjust. Don’t expect to see results immediately, especially if you are dealing with an early waker!
When you shorten naps for some los it may mean they also need shorter A times. In particular, if you are shortening the am nap, your lo may well not last until their usual pm nap time, but will need to take it earlier. For example, if your lo has previously managed 4 hours of A time, shortening the am nap to 1hr & 45 mins may mean they need their pm nap after 3 hrs instead.
As you make changes to the routine you should keep a close eye to make sure overtiredness doesn’t start creeping in.
Any time you change a routine it is bound to need some juggling to find the perfect mix of naps and A times; be patient and consistent and you will get there.
For more detailed advice you can post your query as always on the appropriate board, and also check out the
2-1 Nap Transition Chat at the top of the Naps board.
