13 Month Nap Time Issues

I suggest that instead of telling him/making him nap, tell him that it's quiet time. A time for him to sit and "read" on his bed. Or even play quietly there.
Let him know he doesn't HAVE to sleep, he just needs quiet time. Maybe even say that you need that time too.
Sit down with him. Lay on the couch together and cuddle for a bit. He may not need the nap as much as he just needs a time for his body to calm itself for awhile.
At this age, one nap/quiet time should hold him over till bed time. He may also be just trying to control his environment the only way he can.

Hope you are able to figure out something that works for both of you.

Children typically need about 13 hours of sleep per day, which he is now getting with his new habit of sleeping through the night. However, most toddlers have problems staying awake for 12 consecutive hours, which is why he is getting tired and cranky during the day.

I would suggest slowly moving his sleep schedule back to 8-8:30 pm and have him get up a little earlier perhaps around 7:30-8 am. Serve lunch around 11-11:30 am and then try to get him to nap when his tummy is full. Maybe turn on a DVD movie and get him to lie on the couch or something.

If you shorten the length he is sleeping at night, he should lay down easier for a 1-2 hour nap.

My son is doing the same thing!! Except my son doesn't sleep through the night yet so you're lucky. Sounds like he is starting to go down to just one nap. It takes time to get him to one mid-day nap. Most people say that their kids nap from 12ish to 3ish... somewhere in there. Might want to try to slowly (in 20-30 minute increments work him away from the morning nap and in to the afternoon nap only)

Hi there,

Try to set a consistent nap schedule; YOU decide when nap time is, and put him down at that time, every day. At his age, it could be 1-3, for example. If he is in a crib, and cannot get out, leave him in for that period of time, and he will figure out that even if he doesn't sleep, he can rest or play. It will take some patients though, to get through his resistance! Also, make sure his diaper is secure, or that could become a source of entertainment! Also, does his dad see him in the morning? If not, I can understand keeping up your son...but this is a faze, and if you have to put him to bed at 5 or 6, it will only be for a few months. My 19 month old is just now fazing into a 7 pm bedtime, and went down for months much earlier; it was all we could do to keep him up until 6! Just when you think it is settled, he will change his schedule again!

Be consistent, and stick with it!!

Oh my goodness, when I first read this, I thought, "did I write this?" That's exactly what I've been dealing with for the last couple of days. My son fought his nap for FOUR HOURS today! I almost gave up, except he was being so grouchy and sleepy. I don't have any advice, just saying you are not alone in this! If something works for you, would you mind letting me know? :) Good luck!

Hi Amy,
Congrats on getting some night time sleep... it's a whole new world!!! Don't get too used to it, the toilet training comes to bite you in the rear later!! (sorry to bring that up.) I have two and one was a lot like yours. It could be he's just learning so much right now that he's super worn out (brain wise) and not able to slow down or stop to nap. I would still go for a short afternoon nap for everyone's sanity. If he's super cranky, he needs it and may be sleeping those 12 hours out of exhaustion later...

Make sure you're getting lots of park, running etc, done in the morning to wear him out, then pick your time and stick with it. You'll need to wait longer than a half hour to get him to let go and sleep. Whenever we got off schedule for naps etc, I would help out by doing my errands right after lunch and letting him crash in the car first. A couple of days of that helped set the time of nap and actually let him catch up on sleep so he would continue into the nap as the week passed.

Good luck! The sleep will keep changing and changing... but it will pass. Honest!

When my daughter started sleeping consistently through the night 10-12 hrs (at 11 mos) she started fighting her afternoon nap. She was getting so much sleep at night, she really didn't need two naps anymore. So, I cut out the afternoon nap and started moving her morning nap (which had been at 10:00 am) later. Now she naps consistently at noon for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Try keeping him up all morning, then putting him down for a nap at 12 or so. Use the same routine for putting him to bed at night. Make sure he has a clean diaper--a sure way to put a big hold on nap time is if I put my daughter down, and she immediately poops!

Dear Amy,

You said the little one goes to sleep for about 12 hrs. at night! That's great!

I think your problem is this??? First off, expecting the little one to go and take a nap after only being awake for 2-2.5 hrs. is quite insane! And if you think after a yr. you're going to get the little one to take more than 1 nap? You're insane! Be happy that the little boy wants to take that one!

I would stick w/ the nap after lunch, that way his little tummy would be full.... eating has a tendency to make you sleepy!

As for being crankier with the nap vs. w/o it.... maybe it's just his disposistion, maybe he'll eventually outgrow it?

I would say, just don't give up!

Most Sincerely,

Aristokatz

My experience with my 3 kids is at this age is they needed just one afternoon nap. I would feed them lunch first and then (around 12:30 or 1:00) put them down for the nap. I used the same routine we use at bedtime (read stories, rub their back, etc.) You might have to struggle with him at first, but once he gets used to it, you should be fine.

I also found that it helps if the kids are physically active (preferably outdoors) in the morning. Make sure he really runs around or climbs or something. Then, after lunch they practically pass out!

If you have time, read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weisbluth (sp?). Great advice on sleep for kids.

Good luck!