What stage would you wake toddler from nap?

[TracyK]

Ds falls asleep for his nap at around 1.30 and mostly sleeps till I wake him at 3.30ish. But I can go in and open the curtains, put the light on, hang up clothes in the wardrobe, rub ds back etc and he still is in a deep sleep. If he's in a deep sleep - does that mean that he needs the sleep and I should leave him? even if it's getting nearer 3.45pm?
Can you tell when they come into light sleep so therefore less likely to be grumpy on wakening?
I just don't know how long he'd sleep if I left him - it is quite gloomy in the afternoons now - maybe he thinks its night!

I would let him sleep as long as he needs during the day up until the point that it disturbs his sleep at nightime.

I remember reading years ago that they go into light sleep at 45mins so whenever mine just needed a short sleep that was when I woke them and it did seem to work. I wonder when they next go into a light sleep though? btw if I tried to wake them after an hour when they were in their deep sleep they didn't wake very well.

Do they go into light sleep every 45 mins? so just make it a multiple of 45?

My understanding is that it's every 45 minutes, and dd was always easier to wake if she slept for 45 or 90 minutes than any other time.

I have always had a deadline of 4pm. No sleeping beyond 4pm in case it delays 7pm bedtime (cruel mother I know)

I let him sleep till 3.30 yesterday and went into his room - but he had his eyes open - just lying there - so I don't know how long he had been awake for himself.

45 mins is just the average though isn't it? Some people might have longer or shorter sleep cycles. What happens if you leave him later? Is he not ready for bed? That would be my concern.

He is always ready for bed - no matter how long I leave him. It just means we get nothing done in the afternoons as I pick him up straight from work at 12.45 and we're in the house till he wakes at whenever - I've never got any food in the house!

But at least your house should be clean and tidy.

Ha ha!!
I'm sposed to be trying to keep it tidy as its up for sale just now - it still takes me an hour before someone comes to view to tidy.
I usually just snooze on the couch or watch tv!