14 Month Old Sleep Patterns Changed Dramatically- Needing Advice

A very good friend of mine (mother of 2 grown children, a gradn mother, previously a preschool teacher & daycare provider) told me something very wise.... once we get used to something with our kids, they change!! My VERY active son is 13 months old and is HARD to get down for even one nap (and sometimes that one nap is only 20 minutes)- he is always concerned that he will miss something. He has been this way for about 2 months. And then this weekend he took 2 naps each day - CRAZY! As long as she is acting fine I say, just relax and go with the flow. My son's doctor said that child should get 12 hrs of sleep on average everyday. I told him that my son was only getting between 10 & 11. He told me not to stress as long as he was acting fine and sleeping well throughout the night. You are a good mommy and your daughter is just going thru yet another change. Everything will be fine. Just take a deep breath and know that you have a happy healthy daughter who loves her mommy!!

I am right there with you!

And from everybody else I talk with......their kids went thru the same thing. So, it must be normal. I think the lady who said "once you get used to something with your kid, it changes" was very wise.

For me, my 14 mo will go on a pretty regular schedule for 2 or so, and then.....it will all change. So, here is what I am doing. I give my son the opportunity to nap (at his normal sleepy times)....and if he chooses not to.....then oh well. Sometimes this means letting him fuss/cry for 10min or so....but not letting him go longer or let him get REALLY upset.

Hope this helps. JUst wanted to let you know....you aren't the only one going thru this!!!!!

B.,

My son's sleep pattern changed at around 13 months to just about the same thing. So, we shifted his nap to midday instead of morning. Since, he was starting daycare I used their schedule to make his transition easier...now, even at 2 years old, and being a stay at home kiddo, he's on the same schedule.

Wake up 6:30am
Breakfast 7am
Snack 9:30ish...
Lunch 11:30
Nap Routine begins at 12:00pm...asleep by 12:30pm (usually 2hours)

Of course, then the rest of our day continues. It was a tough transition, to keep him awake through the morning but it was literally a few days and it's been that way every since. He is asleep by 8pm, and pending any other changes or needs like teething he's pretty consistent with sleep...

Hope that helps!!!

Good luck.

Hi B.:
It is not unusual for A childs sleep pattern or eating habits to be thrown off, when they are a bit under the weather.It doesn't matter if its a mild cold, or teething. (Which could be the case here.)they are no different than you or I. Even if we're to tired to notice,we will wake in the middle of our sleep,when we don't feel well. The difference is,we realize we are going to be ok,and have an easier time falling back to sleep.Toddlers need the reasurance,when they are hurting. The norm for them is feeling spunky, and good,and when they are feeling bad, or experiencing pain,its a cause for concern for them.I would consider myself fortunate,if shes losing merely an hours sleep,under the circumstances. I've been kept up for hours in the past, for a sons stuffy nose.As far as her shortening her one nap to 25 minutes. This could have to do with her not feeling that well,or,like you mentioned,maybe she just isn't that tired,and isn't able to fall asleep. If It was me, I'd go through the motions,and if she is just to restless,and can't sleep,I wouldn't make it a struggle for you both.Let her up,until shes tired.If she will just lay there and talk or play with a doll,thats ok to. Shes still resting her little body. Toddlers don't have to be asleep to give their body a rest.I simply don't believe in making A time,(bedtime)which is intended to be pleasant,into something tearful, miserable,or emotional. Keeping it a pleasant time for your toddler,will assure a much happier,more restful child. I wish you and your darlin daughter the best.

Hi B.,

Every child's sleep needs are different, as I'm learning from my son! And the changes and phases in sleep can be exhausting and frustrating for you, but just know you're not the only one it's happening to! My son is 20 months now and gets on average 12-14 hours of sleep per day (I hear people talking about their kids sleeping 15-17 hours a day at my son's age and it is just impossible to expect that from my son). He is not a long napper, but fortunately, he will usually sleep 12-13 hours at night (unless something throws him off), so I'm not too worried when he only sleeps for an hour during the day. Sometimes my son will go through periods with less sleep (even a mild cold or teething will do it... or shots too), but he'll usually get back on track if I keep being consistent and also give him relief when he's teething (e.g. something to chew on, Hylands, Ibuprofen). Your daughter may only need one nap now, or she may need one on one day and two on another day. I'm pretty sure my son is completely down to one nap now, but if he were sleeping 10 hours at night I would go back to two for him because he is a completely different kid on 10 hours vs. 12-13 and I notice his nap can get shorter rather than longer when he sleeps less at night, unless I go back to two temporarily. He might be great for two days and actually seem to have more energy and then the crankiness starts and I start to see the overtired boy. Just watch your daughter carefully. If she starts acting out, being obstinate or dramatizing things, then maybe she needs more sleep... but as other moms have said, even a little cold will make it harder for her to be comfortable, so it may seem impossible until she's feeling better. You may try a humidifier in her room until the cold is completely gone. It always helps my son. In fact, he was getting several colds last year but hasn't had one since I used a humidifier in his room for his last cold, and I always use a HEPA air purifier during his nap and bedtime (I think he has seasonal allergies like me which can mimic cold symptoms).

Good luck!