Nap time - am I a horrible mum?

[Biebs88]

So, recently I've started my mat leave and my wee boy (20mo) is with me way more often (1,5 day nursery as he was FT before). He's been refusing to go down for his nap which is horrible as he still needs it (usually 12.30-2).
We do 2 books, song, I tuck him in (he sleeps in a floor bed) and from the moment he realises I'm going he's up - out of bed, "no no" etc. I've tried to sit with him, read more books, another song which all resulted in him not napping (being very grumpy, as was I).
Today I had really bad cramps so when I put him down he started as usual so I popped on my timer. Not even 60sec after I'd closed the door he had stopped, taken himself into his bed cuddling his bunny.
I am against the CIO method and I know he wasn't really upset (just a moany 'cry') but I feel absolutely horrible that I didn't go back in - but it worked 🤷‍♀️

So where do you find the balance between comforting your wee one as much as they need it and establishing a routine?

Thanks

So you're in late pregnancy? I think dc sometimes get unsettled and protective because they know such a big change is going on.

Have you been really clear telling him about what's happening? No harm in saying 'I've got a big tummy, the baby will come, here's how it will be, I'm ok and love you' etc and getting some books.

I wouldn't feel horrid about leaving him, there's a difference between annoyance crying and distress crying in my opinion. When the baby comes you'll probably have to let at least one of them cry a bit because you can't do everything at once.

If all else fails I'd get in and nap with him or get him to sleep in the pram.

My ds is 21 months and he has been a great sleeper until a couple of weeks ago. We thought it was a round of illness that unsettled him but speaking to others with children same age it seems a bit of a common problem when they realise they might be missing out on something and can now actually keep themselves awake. I’m also against CC so this week have been repeating to him that ds goes in the cot and mummy sits outside the door. Today for the first evening as I was putting him down he said mummy sit door. Currently sat outside his door while he moans rather than cries so we’ll see what happens!