2 year old sleep

[H1989]

Hello Mumsnetters. My 2 year old isn't going to sleep until about 9:30/10 every night....it used to be at 8! But for some reason it's become later.

She naps at usually 1-2:30/3, and is super active. I see most other people saying their 2 year olds go to bed about 7.....so can't help but wonder why mine is so late. Could it be time to drop the nap?? She seems like she still needs it though! But the evenings are becoming tough. Any advice or thoughts welcome.

Reduce the nap! Ours was doing thus at xmas when she turned 2. We reduced her nap to 1 hour and (although she is grumpy when we wake her up) she goes down 7-7.30 now.

Can you slowly bring forwards the nap so she eventually sleeps from 12?

I think you could experiment with shortening the nap and see what happens! You can always try something else if it isn't working after a few days of trying.

Her nap is way too late IMO. Wouldn’t dream of letting my 21 month old nap till 3. She naps 12-1.30. Get her down for a nap earlier or if she resists it, then I guess cap the nap length.

She won't go down any earlier, 12:30 is the earliest....some days that's even a struggle!! I could try reducing the nap to an hour, did that really make a difference?? I ust love that precious 2 hours I get to myself lol!

Interesting! She definitely won't go down earlier. I've tried before it's, a battle and we both get stressed. I will try capping the nap tomorrow!

Reducing the nap would make a difference. You could even just try reducing it by 15mins to start with and see where that gets you. You might find it means a 45min/hour earlier bedtime.

What you lose in nap time you could gain in evening time!!

If you can’t make the nap earlier, make it shorter.
I had to do this with my son - he still needs a nap (otherwise will crash at like 4, 5), but he needs a good long time between waking from nap and evening bedtime

Will definitely try reducing it tomorrow. Feel awful waking her up though!

@H1989 waking them from a nap is not fun, be ready with a nice snack to make it less of a shock for her!

Yes wake her with a banana and water in hand, it takes a while for the grumpiness to go!