DS has changed his nap times over the last week - don't know where I am

[cheekychopsmum]

13 month ds used to nap for 30 min in the morning after milk and before breakfast (between 8 - 8.30) and then again at around 2.30 - 3pm for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (He sleeps all night from 7.15pm to 6.45am)

This last couple of days he has shown no signs of wanting a nap in the morning, at first I still put him down but he fought it till 9.15 (which made us last for playgroup etc) then didn't have his next nap till 4pm and I had to wake him for his dinner at 5.30, so he could got to bed at normal time. This didn't afftect his nights sleep, which I thought it would.

Today I didn't put him down for his morning nap and waited to see how he faired. At 11.30 I could see he was getting tired, so as usual asked him if he wanted a nap and he walked to the hallway, which he does when he wants his nap. He slept for an hour and got up for his lunch. He has just gone down again!! Which I didn't expect, again I just asked him if he wanted a nap and he went to hall. I've no idea how long he will sleep for, and I may have to wake him for dinner. Obviously I'm glad he's sleeping, but I don't know where I am with it. I had my days sussed and it fitted around playgroups and music groups etc, now he'll be really grumpy when we go out. Is is normal for them to change their sleep routines? Can I try to force his old one? So far this hasn't affected night routine, so keeping fingers crossed!

Bumping for you.

It's very common for them to drop to one nap at this age. If I were you I would try to maybe give him lunch a bit early and put him down afterwards, then keep him awake til bedtime. But I remember the process of dropping from 2 to 1 naps being a bit trial-and-error for a few weeks...

You might find he will alternate between 1 and 2 naps for a bit now. Eventually (by 18 months at the latest) you should be able to push the single nap until after lunch (12.30 ish), but on the days where he flags late morning and naps (say) 11-1 you might need to do an earlier bedtime (6/6.30).

Bit of a pain this stage (and so is the 1 to no nap stage), but it is great when they reliably so one nice long nap in the early afternoon. Frees up mornings a treat!

I agree it is all a bit hit and miss for a while.

I would push to get an early light lunch and a nap at 11.30(ish) My DS2 went to having 2 short naps to 1 longer nap pretty easily. In fact my cm did for it for him long before I did!

But then you have a nice long 2 hour space in the day all to yourself!

He went and threw it all again this morning and had his nap at 8.30 - which was perfect cos meant he was in good mood when he got up for Jo Jingles. He's just gone for his 2nd nap now. How I wish he'd stick to this one!

I think the trick is to try and recognise that just when you think you have it sussed - it's all change!!

I know as a mum you like to get out and about with LO, but what about cutting back on some of the activities? I found playgroup good as you can drop in and out when you like they normally run for a couple of hours so no worries if your their at 10.30 rather than 9.30.
Meet friends for a coffee at a time that suits rather than breaking into a sweat to get to a class on time or taking a grumpy child out.

My DS1 is just getting to the stage of dropping his nap altogether and as much as that's great - it means I can't have a sneaky nap anymore.

or no more MN!