DS is 2, and for a long time has followed the same pattern: Up 8am, nap 1-3pm (give or take half an hour), bed 7.30pm. On the very rare occasions he misses a nap, he goes to bed at 7. Once in bed, he usually sleeps through with no bother.
Since he was poorly with a cold then conjunctivitis a few weeks ago, he has faught us all the way WRT going down for a nap, and again at bed time. I initially thought fine, maybe he's outgrown his nap, so haven't really pushed the issue but it just makes him worse going to bed at night, howling as soon as he is put to bed (pre all this, he would just roll over and go straight off to sleep) so i have to talk quite sternly on the monitor and he constantly wakes up every 45 minutes (with full-on crying) till about midnight (and probably beyond, but i'm so tired, i don't notice). If i enforce a nap (no mean feat, i had to let him kick and scream in his pushchair for a good 30 mins yesterday before i could intervene, then he slept for a good 1.5 hours, so he clearly still needs to sleep), although he's still initially resistant to bed time, once he's there he sleeps through without disturbance all night.
Its beginning to get me down, as i don't like battling him, but it really seems that i have to carry on trying with an afternoon nap, as a lack of one has such an impact on his evening sleeping.
No nap today - couldn't run the risk of his screeching protests waking DH who's on nights - so as a consequence, DS went to bed at 7 and has been awake twice already.
[i should add, nothing has changed in his routine - this has all kicked off since he's been ill]