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Behaviour/development

to nap or not to nap?

4 replies

Roskva · 19/08/2008 20:04

Dd is just turned 2. Until a couple of weeks ago, she was having a nap for an hour/hour and a half straight after lunch. Now the nap is gradually getting later and later, which means that she's not ready for bed at bed time (used to be 7.30, now closer to 9pm). She still wakes up at the about the same time, around 7.30-8.

If I encourage her not to nap, she's asleep on her feet by about 4.30. If I try to put her in her bed earlier, she lies there singing/screaming/kicking the sides of her cot/climbs out.

Should I just live with it for now, or keep her awake, give her tea early and then put her to bed? I'm 7 months pg and don't relish the thought of a toddler waking at the crack of dawn, but I think any change in routine is probably better now than later, closer to when new baby arrives.

I would appreciate knowing others' experiences of this.

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GordonTheGopher · 19/08/2008 20:06

Yes this happened to me. Ds now goes to sleep at 7pm having dropped his nap. If he is v tired I let him sleep for no more than 30 min in the buggy or car.

Sorry, I know it's a pain when you don't get to have a break during the day, but I much prefer having the evenings to myself.

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Lazarou · 19/08/2008 20:07

Can you give her a bath at about 4pm, might revitalise her for a bit. Once she's had her tea, played for a bit, brushed teeth, jim jams on it will be time for bed?

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TJ1976 · 19/08/2008 21:36

I have this problem with my ds who is 2.9. He tells me he isn't tired whilst rubbing his eyes and lounging on sofa. He is also very tired by 4ish if he skipped his nap and he won't eat dinner or cooperate with me. I'm just having to play each day as it comes. He has slept each afternoon so far this week without a fuss and is going down a little later than I would like at around 8ish. Other friends children have dropped their afternoon nap but they do have difficult afternoons with them. I know it will all change soon and I will be thinking of ways to get him through the day until bedtime!

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Roskva · 19/08/2008 22:06

I think I'll try the bath tactic - we stopped bedtime baths in favour of morning shower with me, because for dd bathtime = playtime.

If I wake her up after a short nap, she is a grizzly, clingy little monster; it's like she's too tired to wake up properly and just wants to cuddle in for a doze.