11.5 month old - one nap or two? So confused.....

[SJN71]

I'm a FTM with an 11.5month old. He's recently started having regular wakeful periods in the middle of the night (I'm talking at least 1.5 hours, sometimes 3). Just won't go back to sleep - not crying, thinks its playtime. He's been having one morning nap of about 30 mins and one afternoon of 2 hours. Have tried (on sleep consultant advice) shortening the morning nap but no help and also then shortening the wake time from afternoon nap to bedtime - again no difference. Am wondering whether he's just one of those kids who doesn't need 12 odd hours at night and whether me may only need the one nap per day. I've been looking at different sleep sites and some say that if you are having "split" nights this could be the case and either do later bedtime (with two naps) or transition to one. Can I have your thoughts? Anyone gone to one nap at 11.5 months/1 year? There is so much conflicting advice online and so now I'm confused at what to try next and I'm pretty exhausted! He's an extremely active baby, never sits still during the day, always busy, so you'd think he'd be tired at night but doesn't seem to be.......???? TIA

Oh dear,how exhausting for you op. What time does he go to bed?

For what it's worth I don't think there is a right or wrong way....just one that works for you and him.

Bexter801 he's usually up at 7-7.30 and we have pretty much a 12 hour day from there, 2.5 hours to first nap (30 mins), 3 hours till second nap (usually 2 hours) and then four (or four and a half) hours from end of second nap until bedtime. So usually a 7 or 7.30pm bedtime. :-)

Would you consider lessening the 2 hour nap to maybe 1 hour,without too much disruption?! Altering bed time slightly,to 8ish. When he wakes,and you give him a bottle/teddy,tuck him in,say night night,how does it usually go? Or what do you normally do when he awakes

Thanks @Bexter801 I might change the bedtime and also make sure I shorten the morning nap as I think he's going to be one of those who drops the morning nap early. I don't really want to lessen the afternoon nap as that's the one I want to keep. When he wakes normally at night I'll cuddle him, give him a wee drink (first time I usually BF him (only a couple of minutes) but after that I just offer water and a cuddle. He just seems so awake in the middle of the night!

I just wonder if you shorten the morning nap rather than afternoon one,he's more likely to be less full of beans in the evening..
Also is there anyway you can console him whilst in cot? As in don't take him out for too long...a quick cuddle,drink(if needed),otherwise he'll think,'whey hey play time'!....

@Bexter801 - yes that's true, I shortened the arvo one to 1 hour 45 yesterday and he also went to bed 4.5 hours after end of nap and he didn't have awake time (he did wake twice but went back to sleep fairly quickly) - maybe it will work!!?? I'm keeping everything crossed it carries on like that! thanks for your suggestions :-)

We had absolutely moved to one nap by a year. It might be worth a go? It was a blissful 2h30 of peace now he’s 2 it’s a 45 minute what can I do quickly in the house break sigh. Keep doing what you’re doing if it’s working but yes we definitely did a one nap day at that stage. Was 12-2:30 from memory good luck!

Oh @SJN71 that's wonderful news 🙂 I do so hope it continues to work. I have everything crossed for you.

Thanks @KTD27 and @Bexter801 both very helpful. Cheers :-)

Keep us posted 🙂when you can