DD - 11 months old - REALLY fighting day time nap / sleep and has started screaching!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nagley]

Hello there, this is my first time writing on Mums net and I hope there is someone out there who can help me.

My DD is just about to turn 11 months and over the past two weeks has REALLY changed into a 'tricky customer'.

Up until two weeks ago she had 1 / 2 naps a day max 2 hours total over both. Would be in bed during the night for approx 12 hours maybe waking a few times. Content in the day playing etc etc

HOWEVER, over the past two weeks all has changed. She is fighting sleeping in the day. For the past week I have stayed in putting her to bed once DS (4) is at nursery school at about 1pm. She now FIGHTS this somedays refusing to sleep at all. She has also started 'screaching' at me. I think she is doing it as she is tired so today i took her for a long walk = no sleep, and a car jounrney = no sleep. The only way she got to sleep was DH holding her for 45 mins!!!

I think about 2 weeks ago she started to struggle to sleep due to illness but am not sure, then i am thinking maybe teething but again am not sure????????????????????????????????

Sorry if this message is jumbled - help?!?!!?

I'm sure it must be just a phase... My dd has had the odd period of not wanting/needing a daytime nap, depending whats going on day to day, how she feels etc. You may find that once she is walking and burning up more energy she is more than ready for her nap. Is she showing the usual signs of tiredness?

I meant to say that during times like this I relaxed and just went with dd a little, didnt force the napping issue and then put her to bed at the usual time at night - exhausted! She always comes back to needing her afternoon nap eventually and happily goes off to bed. She is 22m btw, and I do seem to remember this unsettled time was around 1yr old.

Thanks so much for your comments misscathcart . She is tricky to read when tired, always has been. She has started to walk holding onto the couch so i am hoping that when she really gets going it will tire her a little as she cannot survive on the sleep she is getting!!!!!!!!

I would really try not to worry As I'm sure you know how quickly things change as they grow - she sounds like a determined little soul but I'm sure she'll nap in her own good time.
What does she do when you put her in her cot at nap time? Crying and screeching?
I have heard that 'screeching' is common just before they begin to talk which ties in as well. I'm sure she's just letting you know that, 'actually mummy I want to carry on playing!' in her own cross little manner.
Hang in there!

Hi Nagley, (slight hijack I apologise) I was interested to read this thread as my ds (15mo) has just started this screeching thing too, and over the last few days has been refusing to nap (despite being exhausted), or waking up after just 20 mins THEN screeching etc. Up until a few days ago he needed at least 2 hours nap in the afternoon.
misscathcart I hadn't heard that about the 'screeching' happening just before they start to speak... he doesn't have ANY words yet other than dada/baba etc. I do hope it is just a phase as he's always been so placid.

hmm well don't quote me on it! I heard it from another mnetter. It makes sense though I guess, something to do with frustration and the development of speech...?? I'm not sure lol

...and I think that it was around 15m that my friends lo was screeching too. It didnt last. As soon as he discovered a few words, they just kept on coming and the screeching stopped!

Aw thanks... Yes I can see that it must be frustrating for him.

Sometimes a few words of reassurance from a fellow mn'er makes all the difference. Especially when I've just spent all day looking at dh's bewildered expression!

Thanks for all your help guys xxx

Hi guys, me again.

My DD has now uped the anti. She is now having roughly two naps a day and fights both. And has also started fighting going to sleep at night.

I am sticking to my guns and leaving her to go to sleep during the day and at night. she has now started lobbing the dummy and really screaching in the cot.

Please advise, am I doing the right thing to leave her as she always does go off (on average 15 mins - 50 mins)?!?!?!?!?!

Thank you xxx

Hi Nagley

My DS is doing the same!! He is nearly 11 months and for weeks now he almost always refuses to nap during the day, even when he's out in the pram or car (which always used to work). He usually sleeps well through the night but putting him to bed has turned into a real battle, it's so sad after a great day to end it with screaming

My DH and I are persevering with the controlled crying and I go in and reassure him after 5 mins, then 10 mins, etc. but don't pick him up.

It's good to know we're not alone and would also appreciate any help/tips!

i can sympathise with the screeching!!! my dd did it at the same age1!! i tried saying "no" and she carried on, then i completely ignored her (very hard as instinct is to tell her no or to stop screeching!!!!), but she has now stopped! it only lasted a few weeks in the end!

Nagley my ds is 16 months, and goes through phase of not wanting to nap / sleep since about 10 months. It is a phase and they will get through it. I used to leave my son to go to slepp (in fact still do) as I knew he was exhausted and there was no other reason. CC is hard, but i find it works for us. My son never naps in car or pushcair so I can sympathise!