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Not sure whether or not to drop 16monthold's nap as a newbaby due in Jan

8 replies

Dragonhart · 29/11/2006 22:20

I have a 16month old DS who has always slept well at night. We managed to get him into the routine of having a nap in the day (after a bit of fighting) at about 8 months and since then he has had a 1-2 hour nap in the morning at about 11 and slept from 7pm-7am or 8am at night.

Recently he has started to either not go to sleep for his nap (doesnt cry just plays in his cot and talks to himself) or if he sleeps in the day, it takes him hours to fall asleep at night, then he is more tired for his nap the next day, sleeps longer then struggles more at night.

Seems like a bit of a cycle, and when he has not had a nap because we are out he doesnt seem tired or grumpy til bed time and goes to sleep straight away at bed time.

Am I trying to force him to have too much sleep (he is getting 12-13hours at night). I am quite reluctant to give up the nap as we have a new baby due in Jan.

Any advice would be appreciated!

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keiralou · 29/11/2006 22:24

I wouldn't drop the nap if you can help it as you need that time for your own sanity don't you!! My dd is 23 months and wouldn't be able to last the day without a nap. she has hers in the afternoon for 1and half - 2 hours. saying that she doesn't always sleep fantasically at night and usually goes for between 11 and 12 hours.

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brimfull · 29/11/2006 22:38

I think 16 mos is a bit young to do without a nap.My ds had one until he was 3!

Have you tried putting him down after lunch for an hour and no more.He may not be tired enough for a morning nap anymore.

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hana · 29/11/2006 22:41

agree with others - they still need a nap at that age - dd1 had an afternoon nap until she was over 3, dd2 is having one at 23 months. it's fab in the afternoon when she goes !

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Dragonhart · 29/11/2006 22:43

If I let him sleep inthe afternoon, he wont sleep at night.

Tried it afew times recently and after having a sleep at 2-3pm, he went down at 7 and didnt fall asleep til 10! Cried for 3 hours! Worse than teething.

He has never liked sleeping in the afternoon.

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naughtymummy · 30/11/2006 11:57

Try waking him after an hour? 16 m too young for no nap imo

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Dragonhart · 30/11/2006 19:27

Right so what do you do if he wont sleep. Today, just sat in his cot talking to himself for an hour. He's not crying so wont eventually fall asleep.

Left him for an hour, then got him up. He wasnt tired or grumpy til bed time.

Have looked at alot of sleep charts on the net and they seem to say that the average is 13-13 3/4 hours for a 12-18 month. If he is getting that at night (which he does if he has no nap), is not tired or grumpy in the day, then maybe there is no problem?

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naughtymummy · 30/11/2006 19:36

Yes if it ain't broke...however their sleep requirements go up and down if growing fast or new skill being learnt for eg potty training I think it's great he can entertain himself for an hour, i would keep putting him in his cot for quiet time ,he may start sleeping again. If not at least when the baby comes you will have some down time during the day

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Dragonhart · 30/11/2006 21:39

Very true Naughtymummy! Suppose if I put him down he will sleep if he wants to. If he does sleep, I could just make sure he only has an hour. Really would miss the 'time out' if he stopped all together!

Thanks everyone for your help. x