If 22 month old doesn't fall asleep until 9-9.30 pm

[Andcake]

On days he has a nap (although we start bedtime at the same time 6.30 to 7 ish) is it time to drop the nap
We never let him nap beyond 2.30 - and he just doesn't drop off and most of the time it takes an hour to get him to sleep.
Without a nap we move bedtime earlier and he's mostly asleep by 8 pm.
Also he won't fall asleep without someone in the room with him - so the 9.30 pm thing is very irritating. Basically get in from work dinner afew chores - start bedtime routine - bath etc - sit in darkened room for a few hours. Basically DP and I get from 9.30 to 10 together!
What're time he drops off he wakes sometime between 7-8am.
What would you do?

[Happydaze247]

We're going through something similar here. Dd (18 months) wakes around 715/7:30am but will not nap until around 1:30pm. She then sleeps until at least 3pm and so isn't tired for bed until around 8/8:30pm.

I think we have three options: Cut the nap out completely (not keen on this one), cut the nap short (haven't been brave enough to do that yet) or just go with the late bedtime until she decides herself to drop the nap.

All her friends of similar age seem to still be napping at 12:30 for 2+ hours and going to bed at 7.

Sorry, that probably wasn't very useful. It's reassuring to know you're not alone though!

[lucidlady]

We cut the nap at 23 months as our DD was doing exactly this. She's usually asleep between 7.30-8 now.

[GingerDoodle]

Our dd is only allowed one short nap, and ideally not past 12 for soimilar reasons. She's just turned 20 months and previously had 2 - 2.5 hours from 1pm.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

In my experience dropping the nap is helpful, though received wisdom seems to be against this (people say it leads to over tiredness). Maybe try it and see? Good luck!

[Lovelydiscusfish]

Sorry, I see that when you have tried it, and dropping the nap does help. Then I would drop it permanently - we did, with no obvious ill effects.

[Andcake]

Hmm without a nap he is very tired at bedtime but in the past this would lead to long night wakings (4 hours )on the second night with no nap! Maybe I need him to at least have quite time in the day. A struggle as he is always on the go. Today he totally refused nap.

[Nocturne123]

We've been having this problem with 1yo dd! She will
Nap for 30mins/hour at about 11am but that's it! I have resorted to taking her to the park sometimes twice a day and spending the rest of the day outside in the garden just to tire her out .

To be fair it has been working and she'll pass out at around 7.30 but I'm now exhausted too . Do you think an abundance of energy may be the problem like my little monster??

[Happydaze247]

Definitely the case here Nocturne123 . I dread rainy days now.

[sanam2010]

have the same issue with 16 month old. Am trying to cut the nap short now (to 1h - 1.5h) and that seems to help, though she's still up till 8.30. Abundance of energy as well. Swimming really helps tiring them out, try a couple of afternoons per week at the swimming pool? we sometimes go swimming in the morning and on those days she falls asleep straight after at 11 or so. But if we don't she'll sleep from 1 - 3 for example and then stay up till 9.30 easily. I just don't bother doing bedtime routine if she's not tired, we just play instead, at least that way it's not so boring for all involved. Sitting in a dark room for an hour sounds boring!

[fledermaus]

I used to just put DS to bed at 9pm at this age - meant we had a relaxed evening together and could all eat dinner.

[givemecaffeine21]

See my post Andcake.....you'll see that in the end, our 22 month old's naps have had to go, completely It's not too bad - I just enforce 'quiet time' in the lounge with Mr Tumble on and sit with her or potter about.