My son is 22 1/2 months old. Up until about a month ago, he woke up about 7:30, napped after lunch (about 12:30), and bedtime was 9. He would often fuss when I put him down for his nap, but sometimes he'd fall asleep in his high chair eating lunch (meaning he really was tired by noon).
A month ago, he started really fighting going down for his nap, and if I put him in bed anyway, he wouldn't fall asleep for hours. I decided he was ready to switch to an afternoon nap. My first son switched to a 2-5 pm nap and stuck with it for probably a year or more.
So I started putting him down at 2pm. He did pretty well with it; he acted tired at 2 and fell asleep within 10 minutes, although he fussed every time. He woke up cranky at 5, though.
But lately, he's been taking 40 minutes to fall asleep for his nap. And today, he woke up at 4 (so he only got 1 hr, 20 min or so) but was happy. I figured he would be really tired, because he almost fell asleep at noon in the car. And now, I'm listening to him babbling to himself 45 minutes after I put him in bed. It was about the same last night.
Is it remotely possible that a toddler under age 2 could be ready to drop his nap completely? I don't think I'm ready for that step yet!
S.-
It is entirely possible that napping is over for you. I feel your pain as both of mine ended early as well!! We still do quiet time, however, otherwise I'd go insane. So, put some books and toys in the crib -or bed- and tell him it's quiet time. He can read, play... maybe even fall asleep - but at least you still get some time to yourself.
Good luck and God Bless!
C.
My rule has always been if a child doesn't fall asleep within 10 minutes of putting them down then get them up, just skip naptime that day. If he seems tired later on put him to bed a lot earlier. If he is ready to give up naps then put him to bed nightly at 7:00, that makes more sense for a child under 3 anyway. Then he should be getting 13 hours about total during a total day with or without naps. Quiet time is always okay, letting him lay in his bed with a book, however you need to make up for him NOT sleeping during the day with an earlier bedtime. My oldest is almost 7 and she goes to bed by 8:15!
I know what you are going through. But I think you little ones naps are coming to an end. I thought I was reading about my little girl. When she was about 18 months I took her soft tipped sippy cup away and she just stopped napping. She is now 3 and does not take a nap. It's torture if I even suggest it. She will fall asleep in the car, but that's about it. Some kids just don't need naps especially if they are getting enough sleep at night. My kids get up at about 8 a.m. and go to bed at about 9p.m. My daughter will usually sleep a little longer, but I am a SAHM so it's just fine with me. I REALLY miss the nap time, but we have quiet time when big brother goes to school in the afternoon and she likes the time with mommy.
My son was 4 when he lost is naps, and now wont even taken one when hes sick. My daughter on the other hand barley sleeps, is good on a 30 minute nap. She has been this way since she has been able to sit up. Can you imagine a 5 month old on a 30 minute nap schedule daily? Now she is 2 and barley gets in an hour a day, mind you she wakes up at 5-6am and goes to bed at 8. I still make both of the kids have quiet time it's more like mommy time. I don't allow games, TV or any toys. It's just ment to relax, and not to wake up so cranky. I don't think you should give up on nap time yet, just be consistant with the times that you do put him down. It's normal to have some resistance and not wanting to go to sleep, but trust me their bodys need it!
My kiddos both stopped taking naps right before 2- It was a huge fight and it just wasn't worth it. Instead I would have them take a breatk in the afternoon - like watch a movie or something calming. They didn't sleep but it gave them a chance to recharge their batteries. They went to bed before 8pm and were normally up by 7pm. It was great cause we had the evening to regroup.
Some kiddos just don't need their nap.
Hope that helps.
