For the past week or so, my 17 month old has been napping a lot. She has been either taking two naps during the day, two hours each, or one nap that's over 3.5 hours. Before this, she used to take 1-2 naps a day (if she took one nap, it was usually two hours long, and if she took two naps, they were 1-1.5 hours long). Her night time sleep hasn't changed. She sleeps about 10-11 hours during the night, although she sometimes struggles to get comfortable and wakes up multiple times through the night.
I didn't think much of the fact that she's napping more (I was just happy I got more time to myself :)) until my husband mentioned that he was concerned about her sleeping too much for a toddler. We'll probably ask our pediatrician next month at her 18 month appointment, but that's about a month away so I thought I'd ask all of you for your opinion. TIA!
She is more active. That's how much my granddaughter sleeps. They get tired running around like crazy babies all day!
Growth spurt. Enjoy it!
When my kids were younger, they did this.
And they did it when they were hitting a growth spurt.
Or if they were sick.
But it was more so when they were hitting a growth spurt.
Your child, is 17 months and approaching 18 months.
18 months is a growth spurt period. Typically, every 3 months is a growth spurt in a baby/toddler etc. The next one will be at about or approaching 21 months.
And/or, they may also... be teething at the SAME time.
Growth spurts and/or other developmental things/changes, occur, all at the same time, many times. They don't just occur, one at a time.
There were times, with my son (and he was a regular daily napper, napping 2 hours on average a day, plus had about 11 hours of night time sleep), he'd nap. But then, sleep for like 14 hours straight. I did NOT wake him... nor wake him to eat or anything. He slept.. And needed to. And seemingly in a split second, he grew and/or made other developmental changes.
Normal.
My son did this at about the same age. It was really convenient for me, because it was in December and I was able to get ready for Christmas!
I agree with Mymission. It's probably a growth spurt. Totally normal.
She's probably fine. She might be going through a growth spurt and requires more restorative sleep. If its not broke, don't fix it.
I agree with all the moms..............HOWEVER, if you are concerned (even a little) PLEASE mention this to your pediatrician they are the deciding factor. Just remember that when she wakes in the middle of the night soothe only, don't change her diaper (unless her diaper is messy), no bottle, and most importantly NO FOOD. If she wakes up crying just say, "you are safe, everything is OK" and let her put herself back to sleep. If you have any questions please feel free to email me any time.
Penny Amic CEO/Clinical Director
of an early intervention network
I'm with everyone else. She's going through a growth spurt. Prepare for all her clothes to suddenly be too small. No need to worry.
Like others have mentioned, it is probably a growth spurt. It could last a few months and then you will wonder where it went That could also explain why she is restless at night.
She's about to have a growth spurt. At 17 months she should be down to one nap per day all the time. From right after lunch to maybe 3. Then she has time to play and get tired before bedtime.
She is probably getting ready to grow or she may be fighting a cold.
yes, enjoy because in the next few months is the 2 yr regression (mine started at 20 m) and he slept 6/7 hrs at niht then fought naps.. ack.. took a few good months to be done with that.
Growth spurt, maybe?
