18 month old nap problems

[Leo090813]

Hi everyone,

Hoping for some advice please. My 18 month until recently would always have a 2 hour nap about 11-1pm. Recently it seems he's not ready to nap at that time so he's trying to push it back to more like 3.30pm, but every time I let him sleep at this time even if I wake him after an hour or so, he will not go to sleep until 9.30, sometimes 10 instead of his normal 7.30 bedtime which he has had for months. If I put him down to nap before about 3pm he just cries and cries and cries and just doesn't seem tired. I have tried just stopping him napping all together but he is then so tired and groggy in the late afternoon and constantly whinges from being so knackered. I know he should still need a good 1.5/2hr nap at his age so I really don't know what to do? He wakes between 7.30-8am every morning and usually sleeps through the night unless unwell or teething.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Chloe

At that age I would aim for an after lunch sleep, maybe 12/12:30 - 2:2:30pm.

Have you tried really tiring him out in the morning? I would do some activities that really wear him out, maybe swimming or lots of walking/running around at the park. I'd then try putting him in the buggy or car if that helps get him to sleep. Whatever you can to get him to sleep at the required time.

They form new habits really quickly at that age, so once you have the sleep at 12:30pm set-up (maybe a week or so) you should be able to just put him in his bed to sleep as normal without the buggy/car etc.