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16 month old - Day Naps

12 replies

JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:05

Hi All,

The past week my 16 month old has been refusing his morning nap in his cot. He’s always been great at napping and would usually self settle within about 5 minutes of being put down, but the past week he is just standing up crying. I’ve tried going in and settling him but seems to make it worse, I’ve also tried to extend his wake window. He is showing every sign of being tired before I try to put him in his cot and if I was to take him in the car he would fall asleep instantly. I don’t want this to become the thing I have to do to get him asleep in the day! I’ve seen online this could be an 18 month ish sleep regression, however I need to add his night time sleep is completely fine! Will go down between 7 and half 7, fall straight to sleep and sleep through till 6ish. Please help, so confused on how to tackle this! (Just to add he does have a little cold at the min, could this be the reason and I just need to ride it until he’s better?)

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Seeline · 22/02/2025 11:27

You say morning nap - does he have another later in the day?
If he has 2 then drop the morning one.
If he only has the one (or if dropping to one) I'd aim to have an early lunch 12 ISH and then put him down then.

Be warned - both mine dropped all naps at 18 months.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/02/2025 11:29

Yeah my 15 month old is down to 1 nap a day now which I'm actively pushing for as it helps him sleep better at night. Apart from being ill his sleep all over the place now!
Deffo sounds like your baby is ready for just 1 nap

JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:31

He dropped his second nap about two months ago so this is his only nap of the day 🥲 I’ve just took him out in the car and he fell asleep within minutes!

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JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:33

Seeline · 22/02/2025 11:27

You say morning nap - does he have another later in the day?
If he has 2 then drop the morning one.
If he only has the one (or if dropping to one) I'd aim to have an early lunch 12 ISH and then put him down then.

Be warned - both mine dropped all naps at 18 months.

This is his only nap 🥲 he’s definitely tired though as he’s just fell asleep in the car within minutes, he was rubbing his eyes in the house and coming over putting his head on my knee which he does when he’s tired, I may try the early lunch/ try put him down in the afternoon tomorrow - thank you!

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Seeline · 22/02/2025 11:33

Sounds as though your timings are a bit out after dropping the other nap.
Definitely aim for having it after lunch. Keep him really busy all morning, outdoor exercise if possible. He should then be hungry for lunch and ready for a sleep afterwards .

JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:35

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/02/2025 11:29

Yeah my 15 month old is down to 1 nap a day now which I'm actively pushing for as it helps him sleep better at night. Apart from being ill his sleep all over the place now!
Deffo sounds like your baby is ready for just 1 nap

this is his only nap🥲 dropped the other about two months ago as he was fighting it terrible and if I did manage to get him asleep it would be for about 20mins! I think I may try and stretch this one out to the afternoon and see if that works!

OP posts:
JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:36

Seeline · 22/02/2025 11:33

Sounds as though your timings are a bit out after dropping the other nap.
Definitely aim for having it after lunch. Keep him really busy all morning, outdoor exercise if possible. He should then be hungry for lunch and ready for a sleep afterwards .

Thank you so much will be trying this!

OP posts:
Completelyjo · 22/02/2025 11:39

Maybe he just needs to be awake for longer before going down for a nap! In nurseries they have older babies nap at about 12/12:30.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/02/2025 11:53

JenM3 · 22/02/2025 11:35

this is his only nap🥲 dropped the other about two months ago as he was fighting it terrible and if I did manage to get him asleep it would be for about 20mins! I think I may try and stretch this one out to the afternoon and see if that works!

Oooh oh I see! He may even be heading towards no naps at all!? One of my friends pushed for hers to be not napping by I think as early as 12 months (!) Which worked for her as they slept like a log at night then. But that wouldn't work for me as like you said they second you get in the car they're fast asleep!
It's so annoying because they don't sleep when you want them to but when THEY want to sleep they will literally just crash whenever, wherever no matter what 😂

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/02/2025 11:54

Completelyjo · 22/02/2025 11:39

Maybe he just needs to be awake for longer before going down for a nap! In nurseries they have older babies nap at about 12/12:30.

Yes they did this in my dc nursery. Lunch then naptime.

WhatMe123 · 22/02/2025 12:14

Most only need one nap at 16 months op

WhatMe123 · 22/02/2025 12:15

Sorry just read this is his only nap. Should probably be more mid day morning is likely too early for him ??

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