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18 month old refusing to nap

12 replies

OldBrownShoe · 26/11/2018 13:56

Ds dropped to one 2 hour nap (11-1) just after his first birthday. Routine has been working perfectly until Friday last week, since when he has point blank refused to nap.

He’s showing all the signs of being tired, rubbing eyes, getting his blanket but as soon as I try and get him to lie down he’s up and running about again. He usually naps in his pram, I rock him back and forth and sing but he won’t even get in it any more or stands up/strains so hard against the straps they leave marks on his skin. I’ve tried putting him in his bed/my bed/on the couch but he just gets up. Tried taking him outside for a walk in the buggy but he still won’t give in to the sleep.

He usually sleeps 7pm - 7:30am and these past few days I’ve tried to compensate for lack of nap by putting him to bed at 6 but he still mucks about til about 7:30. (I think it’s over tiredness)

I feel he’s too young to drop a daytime nap completely but I’m at a loss at what to try next. Should I not try and force the nap or persevere with the trying?

(So as not to drip feed, I Just want to add that he has been referred to a paediatrician as I have some concerns around autism (which the HV agrees with) And he doesn’t like to be held or stroked/patted so won’t be cuddled to sleep as it distressed him)

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BeautifulBlue · 26/11/2018 20:51

Probably the 18 month sleep regression? I’ve heard it’s the worst... but my daughter is 16 months so not quite there. Give it a google... good luck!

StandardLampski · 26/11/2018 20:56

There's an 18 month sleep regression????oooh.wush I'd known that... (ds is 19months. Ahhh...).
TaGrin

ifoundthebread · 26/11/2018 20:59

This is the age my daughter dropped her nap. The odd occasion time in the car she might nod off but apart form that she's never went for a nap again 😔

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kiwiblue · 26/11/2018 21:02

My DS is 19 months. A few months ago we had a few days like that, he just wouldn't nap. He was exhausted but wouldn't give in. I was really stressed about it but it passed and he's gone back to a 2h nap (he was also doing 11-1 like yours but it's more like 1-3 now). So maybe just hang in there and don't force him and it might pass? I think most children are 2 when they drop the nap?
Good luck!

ThursdayLastWeek · 26/11/2018 21:04

IME it’s just a phase.
On the days you can face the battle keep trying, it’ll click back again.

minipie · 26/11/2018 21:04

Better than being awake for frigging hours in the night and wailing if we moved more than an inch away, which is what DD2 did at 18 months

If he’s still sleeping fairly well at night I’d keep to the usual routine, keep attempting to get him to nap, and one day he may well snap out of it.

Bluerussian · 26/11/2018 21:05

Why does he have to nap if she doesn't want to? You could try lying in bed with him, cuddling, if it is so important to you. Then you could have a nap too.

OldBrownShoe · 26/11/2018 21:13

@bluerussian because he’s tired. It spoils the afternoon because he’s cranky and whiny and can’t really enjoy playing. It affects his concentration. He doesn’t eat his dinner properly, just mucks about with it. Doesn’t enjoy his bath. His behaviour is worse because of the tiredness.

I can’t cuddle him in bed as he gets distressed when he’s touched - hes been like it since 6 months. He does sometimes like a cuddle but only when it’s something that he initiates.

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OldBrownShoe · 26/11/2018 21:13

Thank you for the replies. Off to google 18 month regression (I swear there’s a new one every bloody month 😫)

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Bluerussian · 27/11/2018 00:55

I get it OldBrownShoe. Really sorry for you.

I hope you are getting some sleep now.
Flowers for when you wake up.

WantingBaby1 · 30/11/2018 19:07

Check out dream baby sleep on Instagram or facebook. They're helping us transition from 2 naps to 1 and have been amazing. Free advice on a Friday.

OldBrownShoe · 30/11/2018 22:04

Thanks.

He has started napping again! (Praise the lord!)

Think he just had a funny few days. Jinxed it now though 😂😭

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