Help with 17 month old nap times!

[indigogirl66]

Hi there,

We have never had a smooth ride with night or daytime sleep with our 17 month old. She has had a consistent bedtime routine since about 3 weeks old, and generally this works well unless she is poorly or teething, which is fine. However, she has never seemed to find a groove with naps, and has only stuck with a particular pattern for about one, maybe two weeks and then all changes. Most recently, she has stopped napping completely, which I am finding very tough to cope with. She is extremely active and nosey, so I have no other opportunity to do work or jobs around the house unless she is asleep! Not to mention just having a break! I feel like I have tried all kinds of ways to help her but maybe there is something else that you good people could recommend. Or maybe just some reassurance that it's a phase!

One of the things I find difficult is sticking to a consistent pattern with mealtimes and snacks during the day. She can wake anything from 5.30 to 7.45 so obviously this affects when she gets tired or hungry. I feel torn between following her lead with those things, or imposing some more structure in order to help her be able to recognise when nap time is coming. Also, strict routines being hard to stick to when you actually want to leave the house and have a life for both of us!!

I hope to hear some words of encouragement or any tips you may have!

Thanks x

I have a DD 18.5 months old, she also is a bit inconsistent with her wake up times, but I tend to put her down at the same time regardless - this is usually 12.45pm , she then tends to sleep from 1.5-2 hours and goes to bed at 7pm. I don't have a nap routine really (although a very strong bedtime one) - what I do is warn her that nap time is soon for about 15 minutes leading up to it; this then avoids any surprise (and objections!) and she tends to go off happily with her teddy in tow.

I try to be at home for her nap as she's ratty without it, but occassionally we are out and she just has to make do with the car (she won't sleep in her pushchair, grrr). I find as long as she gets her nap most of the week, a couple of days here and there of car naps is fine.

Thank you Confused… I haven't tried the warning her so I will try that. Good to know I'm not alone too! I think I will have to make a call between playgroups and nap times too… We don't go to that many, but they all seem to end around the time she usually gets tired and then by the time we've walked home she's wired again!!

Your 'Grrr' made me laugh - I have that problem too, but the thing that makes me Grrr the most is hearing other Mums talk about their toddlers who sleep for 3 hours every afternoon no matter where they are!!! Mega GRRRRR!!!!

Thanks again x

Have you read 'toddler calm' by Sarah Ochwell-Smith

I know getting a chance to read is difficult. It is a very insightful book.

Should say Ockwell

Yes FlusteredFairy I have that book - I think its great - so much reassurance. Despite my OP I love that it's not prescriptive and it has deffo helped me to accept and move forward. I think my main worry atm is the fact that she is SO TIRED but can't get to sleep in the day, so I;m hoping to be ab;e to help her get there! I do wish Sarah O-S's sleep book was already available though… 2015 is too long to wait!

As you said in OP she has had lots of phases so this is just another one.
With things that you need to get done, prioritise and only do most essential for a while. Not trying to teach you to suck eggs but sometimes we try to do to much when things can truly wait. 'Me time' is most important.
Being a is tough old job but look at the product. :-)

Being a mummy - missed word

I know some children seem to sleep deeply anywhere. My DD sleeps very deeply in the cot, restlessly but does sleep in the car (but easily woken) and not at all in the pushchair and then has a meltdown about 3pm...

I think while they are under 2 it is good to try and have them nap in the cot at home as much as possible - it's not good for children this age to be overtired but of course you must have a life too so some days they just have to manage elsewhere if poss.