Problem with day time sleeping

[rainy100]

Hi there, just hopeing if anyone had any ideas as to why my 14 month old has completely cut down on her afternoon nap. She used to sleep for 1 hour and 30 mins from around 12:30 - 14:00, for the last three weeks it's dropped down to 20 minutes sleep. I have tried controlled crying, made sure it's completely dark in her room but she is still waking up after 20 mins and not being able to get back to sleep. She is having her morning naps still but I have shortened this till only 10 mins. I tried to stop this sleep to see if this was the problem but weather she has this sleep or not she just continues to wake after 20 mins at lunch. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do try next? She is so tired come 3pm but refuses to sleep. She is a great night sleeper (7-7). Anyone out there who can offer some much needed advice? Thanks.

Hi Rainy. This happened to me with DD who is now 2.1, around the same time actually, just after her first birthday.

I discovered that DD was hungry - she was going through a spurt and needed her sleep more than ever. The time of day was different (she used to nap about midday and wake up 15 minutes later!) I started giving her lunch at 11.30am and she starting sleeping better - about 90 minutes.

I would try and knock the morning nap on the head too? 10 minutes sounds more like a power nap than a proper sleep?

HTH x

Thanks for replying. She does eat alot though before lunch time. Maybe I should give her her lunch at 11:30 then and get her to sleep by 12:00, do you think that would be a good idea? Because as I said if she doesn't have her morning sleep, by 11:00 she is so tired and then doesn't eat well.

I see.... in that case I would keep the morning nap, feed her early and put her down straight after she's eaten. It might help.... other than that - has she grown out of her current nappy size? I remember this disturbed DD but it was at night too....

It might be habit now - I remember a chapter from the baby whiperer saying that kids often woke up by habit and you had to break the habit by letting her fall asleep in the car for a couple of days, or not putting her down at all, or something.....

Beginning to feel I'm clutching at straws!

Sorry for crap advice!

my ds gave up on his afternoon naps by himself at 12 mths so i used to put him down about 11 and then bed an hour early worked well with my ds

they let you know when ready to change routine just follow the lead

i'm afraid its always trial and error with everything my ds routine has changed so many times but i go with what suits him

even if i feel i need that time if he cant sleep he cant sleep