10 month old not settling in the evening....

[Ewan's Mummy]

OH HELP!  Can someone please explain why it has just taken me TWO AND A HALF HOURS to settle my 10 month old to bed for the night?  For naps I just pop him in his cot and he goes to sleep.  He used to do the same at night but for the last three weeks he's been more and more difficult to settle.  He doesn't appear to be in pain, he's still fine at naptime and sleeps about 1.5 hours twice a day.  Once he's asleep at night he sleeps about 11 hours.  Anyone any suggestions?

[prridolfi]

Hi!! totally sympathize... I am by no means an expert but I have a similar issue and this is what I've done (by the way, could an expert set me straight if I'm completely messing up)
My DS is 8 months old and it takes about an hour and a half for him to settle down to sleep... no crying or anything but just fights sleep.... once he falls asleep he's fine. What I've been trying (although today is the first day I tried it) was not to let him nap after 4pm so that he could be more or less 3 hrs awake before going to sleep. It sounds easy but because he usually takes his catnap 'till 5pm he took his regular nap from 12.30 to 2 and then I didn't let him take his regular afternoon nap...instead I bumped up his routine 30 min and he was in his crib by 6.30 instead of 7 (the usual time I put him to sleep) and guess what... he fell asleep in 10 min!!! However (there's always a "but") he woke up an hour later but I just rubbed his back for 20min and he went back to sleep... and stayed asleep.... I do not know if this is a good approach but my LO has never fallen asleep so fast... He wasn't overtired (just a little bit fussy) but nothing major. Why he woke up again... I do not know, if it is related or not, adaptation... no idea... but you could give it a try and let me know.... I'll sure let you know how it goes.... In the meantime.... Good luck!!!

[skatty]

My DD is also 10 months old and I have been advised to shorten her am nap to 45 mins for other reasons but it has been pointed out that this is the age they start working towards one nap even though this could be months away. Perhaps your DS doesn't need so much day sleep anymore? I'm sure one of the ladies will be able to help you from your routine 

[Layla]

I would think it has to do with too much daytime sleep. What time are the naps? Their A times increase naturally as they grow & if the afternoon nap is too close to bedtime, they will fight you.

post back your routine if you could
Layla

[Ewan's Mummy]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

His routine is as follows...
6am wake & milk
7am breakfast
8.30 - 10 (ish) nap
12.00 lunch
1.30 - 3 (ish) nap
5pm Tea
6.30pm upstairs to room, pj's on, stories etc
7pm Milk & bed

He's definately tired at bedtime.  For naps I just put him down and leave the room and he just looks at me then goes to sleep... at bedtime I put him down in his cot and as soon as I go to leave he cries...

[Layla]

He might not need 11hrs & 3hrs during the day anymore. Try morning nap at 9-10am, afternoon nap 1.30-3ish (as it is) & bedtime at 7pm.

hth
Layla

[fiona1274]

I have a one year old who is very similar to this I think it may be too much day time nap as if I let her she will hjave 4 -5 hours day time 9-11.30 and 2-4.30 or variations there of. I have tried a shorter or even no afternoon nap and she is still pretty mad at bedtime, I have tried earlier and later bedtime but still variable results. Hoping it is the transition from 2-1 nap and will try to encourage less day time sleep as she has also been prone to waking early lately which I thought was maybe her teeth, but on reading some posts think it may be too much day time napping.

[prridolfi]

Good luck and please let us know how it goes... I've found out that if my DS has more or less three hours of awake time before his bedtime then he settles in 20 min tops. If not... then it could take up to 1.5hrs!!!

[fiona1274]

sounds about the same, last 2 days have been a bit rough cut morning nap and settles fine for afternoon nap but is exhausted when she wakes up only had 1.5 hrs yesterday and woke up after 1 hour today, she was ready for bed about 5.30 yesterday, hung off for a while and then she took about an hour to settle, but she slept all night so not sure which is better. good luck to you too.

[prridolfi]

Thanks!!! I'll let you know