Nap time hysterics from 22 month old - solutions?

[Lordashley]

DD has always been an ok sleeper. She has a tendency towards early waking and often wakes up from naps after 50mins in a VERY grumpy mood and won't go back to sleep even though she clearly needs it.

However, in the last few days she has taken to screaming hysterically the moment I put her in her bed for her lunchtime nap. She is obviously tired. Yesterday we endured 45mins of screaming before I got her out. She promptly fell asleep on my knee - something she hasn't done since about 3mths old.

We successfully did cc with her when she was 6mths old, so I have resorted to going in at 5/10/15 min intervals on these occasions. My appearance just sends her to new heights of hysterics.

Going out for a walk/drive with her to get her to sleep is not an option as I am 33wks pregnant and do not have the energy. Books and toys in the cot will not distract her.

She has also been a bit unsettled at night - although has gone to sleep without a whimper (probably because she is so knackered). I do not think she is teething.

Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do? Is it related to the impending baby, do you think?

Ummm I hate to tell you this but my dd did exactly the same but at 23 months (I was 4 months pg with dd2) and in the end I gave in and she dropped the nap even though she was so tired she would not go to sleep, if she looked like she was going to drop off around 3.30/4pm when she realised she was tired I'd often randonly stick music on/put her in garden (was summer time as she is a september baby)

Like your dd, dd1 was early riser 6-6.30 but I used to do dinner at 4pm, bath at 5pm and she'd often be in bed 5.45pm and sleep till 6pm. after a few weeks she seemed to get over the grumpiness in the afternoon. It may be your dd just a bit unsettled and she'll go back to normal naps soon.

But dd2 appears to be copying dd1 and at 14months only has a one hour nap all day

I could have written that post! Still working so she's at nursery and naps fine there but for about the last 8 weeks she will only nap in cot if has fallen asleep in the car or on my knee in her darkened bedroom (once, this sat). Usually we end up bringing her downstairs and putting a dvd on - she falls asleep within seconds and then naps on the sofa. I don't mind as a) not really watching much tv as she falls asleep instantly and b) I can keep an eye on her which might be easier with a little one (also 33 weeks!). Am hoping when I finish work (on Friday!) and she goes down to 3 mornings a week in a couple of weeks we can give it a really good go (er, along with potty training ) and get it cracked before the baby arrives.

Oh dear - I'd suspected that I was not alone with DD's antics at this age. She also seems to have stepped up the tantrums a bit, so I think it is partly a power thing. She too naps fine at the childminders (2 days a week) and is often also ok when with her dad!

Think I'll just keep trying and then give up if we get nowhere in a few weeks. I might try the sofa option, but when awake DD is always on the go, so I can't imagine her lying down and drifting off..