17 month old naps

[shrimpysmummy]

Hi, my dd is 17 months old and we have been down to 1 nap for about 4 months now. I usually put her down after a substantial snack between 11.30 and 11.45 which has worked pretty well. Today she would not go down to sleep so after 30 mins of me trying to settle her, leaving the room for a couple of minutes then back in to resettle I gave in. Gave her lunch and within 5 mins of being in the car she is fast asleep! Should I put it down to her just having one of those days or should I try and shift her sleep back further? Everyone I know seems to be able to know they put their baby in their cot and they will nap, I always feel so unnerved putting her down and always never know if she will sleep or not! All advice welcomed! Thank you.

If she's been on 1 nap days for a while now, I'd say it's time to move it to after dinner time so that it can full establish.

I'd make lunch early, 11.45-12pm ish and then nap straight after.

Hi Fate

Thank you for replying. I gave it one more shot yesterday of putting her down at 11.30 and it wasn't fun, she cried for half an hour, with me resettling her every two mins and then three mins etc but it makes me feel horrendous hearing her upset. Today we are out and she is currently napping in her car seat whilst I surf mumsnet! Tomorrow I will give her an early lunch and then try and put her down for a nap. Thank you for your advice.

I find that constant settling and leaving ends up creating more anxiety and difficulties at this age.

If you're going to leave baby to cry, just leave her so she knows that no one is coming in and that's that.

But in fact what I'd do is rebuild that trust that you WILL stay until she a sleep. Do all the settling, stroking, tickling, lying back down and whatnot in the cot (without getting her out). But work on breaking that anxious association that you're going to leave her to go to sleep on her own. Stay until she's a sleep ^and then seek out".

Once the trust is built back up that you will stay, she'll be less inclined to be distressed when being put to bed and it should all be quicker.