Confused what to do with nap

[Mazzatron]

Hi my son is going through a bad sleep regression at the moment he is 22 months.
He keeps waking for the day at 3:30. He did it yesterday and today, a few times over the last few weeks. Clock change didn't help.

Prior to this sleep regression he was having a nap around midday. Now he's needing one earlier but then it's a long stretch of awake time before bed.

He's chronically over tired at the moment.

What should I be doing with his schedule and nap. I just don't know what to do for the best for him. I'm so tired of trying to figure it out.

DS is exactly the same age and has started waking at 4:30 since the clocks changed. No reason why it should be so early really as he used to sleep until 6:30/7.

He goes to nursery full time and we asked what they did there and they confirmed he still has his nap after lunch 12-2ish, despite waking so much earlier and his moods are fine, because he's obviously busy/distracted there. So we do the same now and keep him up til his normal nap time, but try to get out of the house in the lead up to lunchtime for a walk through the fields or to collect leaves or whatever.

So far, it hasn't changed the fact he's waking up at 4:30, but I'm hopeful that'll pass soon. We also don't give in and go downstairs any earlier than normal time just because he's awake, we tell him it's still nighttime and we've got to stay in bed until the (Gro) clock says. Not sure how much he understands but he doesn't usually try to get up after that.

No help here, but mine (23mo) has been refusing to nap all day but still getting up at 4.30am. Doesn’t seem tired either - unlike her poor parents 😴

@rottiemum88 thanks that sounds similar to our situation, he's waking twice overnight too it's a bit brutal!

We've asked him to wait in his cot until 6 the last few days, just ordered one of those clocks but as you say not sure he will understand the concept yet. Worth a try!

We've been down the beach and although he seems very tired he's been in good spirits and playing nicely so I guess we'll wait til usual nap time. Hope your early mornings improve soon!

@uglyface thanks for the message - solidarity - it definitely helps to know your not alone in sleepless times like this