18 month naps are way too short!

[PPL]

I posted recently about DS vein chronically overtired and had some great replies from Iggly and omama. I have also posted re 18mo regression!

I haven't really fixed the problem and the main issue is that he wakes after 30 mins at nap time, crying and unable to resettle. Every few days he'll do 1hr 10mins.

It's so hard as he is in a grump then all afternoon.

Am currently putting him down at 1130-1145, after early lunch, have given calpol last few days in case of teething. Still not getting there. Am currently doing 615 bedtime and he's still waking in te night on the nights he has short naps. Yesterday he slept trough after a 1hr 15 lunch time nap.

So can anyone tell me how to extend these naps?!

bump

any ideas anyone?

Have you tried a later nap (12.30ish?) - sorry, I haven't seen your other threads so perhaps you've already moved it earlier!

It might be that you just need to break the habit of short naps, so with that in mind:

• if you can get to him really quickly will he resettle? Maybe even try sitting in his room (with a book? or a laptop?) while he naps so you can try to settle him asap if he wakes early.

• if he sleeps in his pushchair then do a couple of days of long walks with him napping.

• will he nap in your bed with you sitting beside him so you can give hima cuddle really quickly if he wakes? We've tried this and it has worked when DS has been ill, but then he wants to sleep in our bed all the time, so just a different habit to break!

HTH

Thanks beela for the reply.... I have tried later nap but moved it earlier as I thought maybe he was over tired making him wake early... I just don't know. I have never been able to resettle him, he goes crazy, but DH has managed a couple of times. I think this weekend I will try camping out by his cot during his nap and see if I can resettle him before he properly wakes up. will also try the buggy trick. It's just so cold at the moment!

He won't sleep with me nearby, just wants to play!

Has anyone had 18mo who has short naps? Do you think he could be trying to drop the nap? Problem is he is so grumpy and tired all afternoon I am sure he needs more sleep.

I'm having the same issue with my 20 month DD. She was having a lovely long nap just after lunch (12ish) up until around 18 months old then it all went t*ts up!

At the moment she cries blue murder if i put her down for a nap now and the maximum she will eventually have is half hour. So i've come to the thinking that maybe she doesnt need that map now even though she is shattered by bedtime (around 7pm).

She was up at 630 this morning and i havent even tried to put her down today. She is tired but its too late now so i'll give her some dinner, bath and bed between 630/7.

If we are out though she will sleep in the pushchair/car and for an hour or so too so it confuses me even more!

Not sure ive helped but you are not alone!