How to get Ds1 to sleep longer for his nap?

[APixieInMyTea]

Up until 2 weeks ago ds1 20months would have an afternoon nap of between 2/3 hours. Great.

Since then he has been having 40-45minutes and waking up. I would be more than happy to get him up, but if I do, he's still knackered and is the child from hell for the rest of the evening.

Sometimes I can just go in, give him a cuddle, lie him back down and he goes back to sleep.

Other times he'll continue crying until I get him up then spend all afternoon still crying because he's still tired. These day's it's more of this than anything else.

I just want him to be happy and he's really not unless he's had at least 2hrs sleep.

Any idea's??

Are you up for a bit of C.C?
Depends if you are of the cruel to be kind variety. might seem cruel in the short term- but BOTH of you benefit in the long run- him as he is happy and well slept- and you because you get a break and a happy child and are therefore more patient with him. On waking, I would go in, shush him, say it's ok- but not time to get up get- walk out and don't go back in until he has gone back off. In the first instance- this may mean he will cry for most of his nap- or go to sleep just as you think it's time to get him up. In which case, as long as he has gone back off to sleep- wake him up at waking time-even if he has only had 10 mins sleep. This may seem counter productive- but in the long run, it will mean he will take longer naps. He may be comming into a light sleep phase and not able to get himself off again ( is he sually comforted to sleep?)He is now learning that if he cries you come to him and get him up to play, so why would he nod back off? If you leave him after quickly showing him your face to let him know you are around. After a few days of crying, he should get the message and go back off to sleep- it's dull crying in your cot and if he is still needing more sleep he will nod off again. This will only work if he is used to going to bed without you comforting him to sleep and if you are consistent.

Thanks containher

He's not comforted to sleep no. He's always been a baby who you put down awake and he gets himself off to sleep without any fuss (unlike his younger brother but thats another story)

Like I said, sometimes I go in, give him a cuddle (without taking him out of his cot) lie him back down and he's fine.

I've never had to do CC and tbh I'm not the biggest fan but something needs to give because we're both unhappy. Him still being tired and me, like you say, losing patience with him.

Do you not think maybe this is just the start of him growing out of his daytime nap - alot of toddlers do at around this age. He's bound to be grumpy at first as he adjusts. Just a thought - if it is - i feel for you - I would be lost without my break during daytime naps!

DD is 2 and has always needed that lunchtime nap. Recently she's asked for her curtains to be left open and has gone into her cotbed with books and teddies. I hear her chatting away to them then she dozes off later.

Could you offer him some toys or books and then leave him to play/go back to sleep?

Sorry-miss read that he is 20 months! Had it in my head he was 9 months for some odd reason!!! could be possible he is growing out of naps then- but even with my non sleepers, i would still enourage them to stay in bed for a while with toys like lovethesea said. good luck

Well today has been trying.

He had 40minute nap and has done nothing but scream in my face since he woke up. He's getting an early night tonight and I know he'll crash out right away because he's just so bloody knackered!

I wouldn't mind so much but he scares ds2 with his screaming. Then I have 2 babies crying at me.

DS used to do exactly that. I think he was overtired so would ping awake and cry for the next 30-40 mins. I used to leave him in his cot to cry for a short time (2-5 mins) and sometimes he would go back off, sometimes he wouldn't. try getting him down a bit earlier at night maybe so he catches up on some sleep

Sorry have just read he's getting an early night. Give him a few early nights in a row and he should catch up and go back to normal hopefully!

Just to add lots of fresh air and exercise might work a treat in tiring his body out so he is in a deeper sleep which may last longer

thelemur. Thanks. I do try to get Out with him every day. We haven't had much snow here but at the moment our very long road is like a continuous sheet of ice and we live right in the middle so we're not really risking it at the moment. I do try to wrap him up and let him run around the garden for as long as possible so will try doing that on a daily basis.

momacharlie. He's fine at bedtime, thank-god. Never hear a peep out of him then and he's always slept a solid 12 hrs.

Night terrors, mmm I'm not sure actually. He doesn't wake up slowly though like he does inthe mornings, he sits bolt up right and starts screaming after 40/45 minutes and sometimes it's quite difficult to calm him.

I wonder if it's that then? Oh well, lots of advice here, thank-you so I will try everyhing and if no luck then I guess he's just ready to give up his nap.