Hospital appointment during nap time - help!

[lemons7]

My 20 month old has finally been offered a long awaited appointment with a paediatrician - but it falls right in the middle of nap time.

His usual schedule is 7.30am wake, 1pm sleep, 2.30pm wake, 8pm bed. The appointment is at 2pm!

I’m really worried that he’s going to be an overtired mess by the time we arrive. WWYD?

Wake him at 7am, put him down for a nap at 12, it'll be fine!

Isn't he likely to fall asleep on the way there?

I wouldn't worry about it anyway - it's a paediatrician, they've seen tired toddlers before :)

Does it matter, I'm sure they are used to it.

I wouldn't worry and I can't believe he's in such a structured routine! I never ever managed thst with my lot 😄

Don't stress. It's fine.

How far in hosp?

Will he go down earlier?

Could you go on public transport to prolong the journey and let him fall asleep on the way.

If you drive, put in car for nap an hour early and drive around til he sleeps. Drink coffee. Get up from nap for hospital.

Or same with buggy to nap earlier.

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Children adapt I really wouldn't worry about it. My DD is in a solid routine and honestly she'd be a bit grizzly but nothing a cuddle on the sofa and early bedtime wouldn't fix.

If you're really worried then him to sleep in the buggy. Leave him in the buggy until until the doctor asks for you to get him out. Even if it means getting him there early and strolling the streets until appointment time.

Chances are they'll be running late and then by the time you've spoken to the doctor and he's ready to examine it'll be gone 2.30pm.

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Oh, why would it be a worry? Yes, he always wakes at roughly the same time each morning and has a nap at around the same time too. If he misses it he becomes an overtired mess! I thought all children this age had an afternoon nap?

I'd say if it's a long awaited appointment with a paediatrician I'd work the schedule around it for one day

I’m worried that I won’t get him to sleep earlier, and then he will be exhausted for the appointment. When he gets over tired he gets really upset and cries nonstop. The paediatrician will need to assess him so it won’t be ideal!

@lemons7

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Oh, why would it be a worry? Yes, he always wakes at roughly the same time each morning and has a nap at around the same time too. If he misses it he becomes an overtired mess! I thought all children this age had an afternoon nap?

They do just your very lucky to have a son that sticks to it daily/times 😂 jealous

@lemons7

I’m worried that I won’t get him to sleep earlier, and then he will be exhausted for the appointment. When he gets over tired he gets really upset and cries nonstop. The paediatrician will need to assess him so it won’t be ideal!

Just leave to travel earlier let him nap on route :) and wake for appointment. It will work out

@lemons7

I’m worried that I won’t get him to sleep earlier, and then he will be exhausted for the appointment. When he gets over tired he gets really upset and cries nonstop. The paediatrician will need to assess him so it won’t be ideal!

Don't over think it. You just need to leave earlier, so he gets a nap in car/buggy. How do you plan on getting to the hosp?

@lemons7

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Oh, why would it be a worry? Yes, he always wakes at roughly the same time each morning and has a nap at around the same time too. If he misses it he becomes an overtired mess! I thought all children this age had an afternoon nap?

They do, ignore all the jealous posters that never managed a proper routine!

Put him down a bit early or let him nap in the car.

When younger Ds had appointments in all states of awake. Peadiatrians are more than used to it

You are definitely overthinking this. Just go with the flow for one day. It will be fine.

Maybe go for a drive at 12.30 and hope he falls asleep then end up at hospital for 1.30ish, wake up and go

Would he nap in a pram? You could go somewhere nearby the hospital for a coffee maybe with him napping in the pram and keep him down until the start of the appointment

I would get him out earlier, let him nap in the pram/car and then wake him for the appointment

They may be running late anyway?

I think a nap and some routine is normal.
Stressing about shifting it half an hour is not.
Wake him half an hour early. Set off half an hour before you need to so he sleeps on the journey. Even a short nap will get him through

@lemons7

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Oh, why would it be a worry? Yes, he always wakes at roughly the same time each morning and has a nap at around the same time too. If he misses it he becomes an overtired mess! I thought all children this age had an afternoon nap?

Ignore previous poster - parenting through a pandemic means it’s easier to keep babies in a routine because there’s been less ‘normal life’ to get in the way. If it’s worked for you, don’t worry.

Try leaving a bit earlier so he can sleep in the car. If not, missing one nap won’t matter

I’d go earlier than needed and hope he’d get a decent chunk of nap in on the way then put to bed 30 mins earlie let that night

@lemons7

Have you really stuck to his naps religiously for 20months? Im not sure whether to be in awe or worry!!

Oh, why would it be a worry? Yes, he always wakes at roughly the same time each morning and has a nap at around the same time too. If he misses it he becomes an overtired mess! I thought all children this age had an afternoon nap?

I agree, almost all children have an afternoon nap at that age and usually at around the same time...

However, being very rigid about the timing of naps and being able to leave the house (or not) can be a sign of anxiety (AKA a reason to worry).

I try to plan activities and appointments around nap times (mostly because dealing with an overtired toddler isn't fun), but I don't worry if it can't be avoided. I just try to mentally prepare myself (for chaos) and encourage napping before or after if possible.