Dropping to 2 naps - did you help?

raya

Or did your LO kind of do it on his own? We're still 2 some days, 3 others. I would love to drop down to 2, with one being at around 9ish and the other around 3. My pedi said to just start putting him down at those times and that if my LO was in daycare he'd have to conform to a set nap schedule. However, my DS doesn't nap until he's good and ready, and even then he fights it tooth and nail, so that hasn't exactly worked. I'd just love to have 2 consistent naps at home so I can plan our days without having to run home once he starts rubbing his eyes, then dealing with no nap at all because he's overtired. Please help - we're officially in nap hell.?

MrsGsoon

We are going through a similar situation now. DD had been on a great schedule of 3 consistent naps every day. I don't mind the 3rd (very short, early evening) nap, but I am going nuts with her not being on a schedule at the moment. What worked in the past, and what I'm trying again now is consistency. I do a fairly lengthy naptime routine at the same times everyday, ending with laying down with her until she falls asleep. Now that she is older, she is a little more resistant to it, but last time I did this it only took a week then she had it down perfectly. Like your DS, DD won't nap if she is over-tired. Can you spend a few days at home really watching his signals and catching him before he gets too tired? This should help you figure out what the times are that he needs sleep. Then you can go from there

gobigblue

DD has been down to 2 naps since 7.5 mos or so.  at the time, i dropped a bottle and it was therefore, somewhat easier to drop that 3rd nap.  the first wk was obviously a transition where she would get cranky.  if we were out driving, she'd take a catnap.  if we were home and she was cranky, i'd stroll her around the neighborhood for a catnap.  after that 1st wk though, it's been great w/ the 2 naps.

jen_k2

DS had an early morning cat nap, then a longer late morning & late afternoon nap. When I thought he was almost ready to drop the 1st catnap, I would keep the activities light for a longer period in the morning before we started hardcore playtime. I think this helped him stay up a bit longer & really tire out for a good late morning nap. Or it could've have been coincidence & he was just ready to drop the 3rd nap IDK.

Mrs.BLG

Around the middle of May (DS was 8 months old) DS started giving us trouble with going down for his 3rd nap. We would try everything and after 30 to 45 mins, if he was still awake, we just gave up. There were some days here and there that he might have taken a 3rd nap- esp. if he fell asleep in the car.

This is what we do: DS goes for his 1st nap about 2 1/2 hours after he wakes up (he wakes up between 7 and 8 AM). Then he goes for his second nap about 3 hours after he woke up from his morning nap. 

It is hard to set a nap schedule b/c it depends on what time he wakes in the morning and how long his morning nap is. However, generally speaking, his naps are usually b/t 9 and 10 AM and between 2:30 and 3 PM. I don't really like to lay him down before 2:30 b/c then there is too much time from the end of his nap until bedtime.