Back to 2 naps after already transitioning to 1

[Beanie]

So just wondering what you guys would do with this situation. I have a currently 14month old who i've had since 7 months. For the first 6 months or so, up until he turned 1, I did have him napping for 1/2-1hr in the morning and the same in the afternoon most days, if i could. He started to outgrow the morning nap and it was getting difficult to get him down (all the other kids in the house being loud and playing games while he is trying to sleep). In addition, it eliminated us going anywhere, playgroup, the library, parks, etc because I had to stay close to home for his nap. my 4 other DCK's were getting restlesss being in the house all day and I really wanted to start doing more "out of the house" activities with them. So, i discussed with mom that it was time to transition to one nap a day in the afternoons and she said that we should give it a try! Sweet! so for the past month or so he's been napping in the afternoons with everyone else (also another 14 month old who transitioned to one nap before starting daycare!) this boy tends to be very very clingy and always wants "up" he's always been that way. This morning DCM says that she wants him to still have 2 naps as he was cranky the night before and didn't want to go to bed. They put him to bed at 6:45 every night and he sleeps till 6:30am. I feel for 14 months he's getting too much sleep? Should I just hold my ground and say that i can only do one nap? he's already transitioned to that after a month and i really don't feel like moving backwards! not to mention I never get a break in my day with one kid who is offset on naps. I feel like i worked hard to accommodate her two naps for long enough, when i told her when they started that we would have to transition him to one shortly....6 months ago.

[Fun&care]

If it were me I would try to put him down for one big midday nap. I do this often with the under 18 mo crowd. I put them to bed anywhere from 30-60 mins earlier than the rest of the bunch depending on what they need. Sometimes that means making lunch a little earlier though.

[mickyc]

stick your ground. it is your home your rules. I find this so annoying. My schedule here is my schedule. Kids must go with what the group is doing. They eventually get on board with the schedule. I never do 2 naps and never would take a child who does. If the child is fighting her to go to sleep she needs to adjust bedtime. going back to 2 naps isn't going to fix the issue.

[Secondtimearound]

I have had two dck who have come and needed morning naps because of teething and not getting enough sleep the night before or one getting up too early and I can't stand it ! It gets in the way of everything !! I would just do what your routine is . I have tried to keep my two up but it was unbearable so I put them to nap early and I'm sitting here while a 20 month old is playing because when u tried to put her down for a second nap she disrupted everyone else !!! If possible I say do what is best for everyone !!!

[Lee-Bee]

Unless he has a pattern of really rough nights and days with you and his behavior is showing he needs that second nap then you can't switch back and forth on a parents whim because of a rough patch. It will just complicated thing both at home and at daycare.

That said...I don't think he is getting too much sleep. If anything the large majority of kids get way too little sleep these days. At 14 months he should still be getting a good 13-14hours per 24 hours. 12 hrs at night and a solid 2 hr nap is pretty norm.

My daughter is 20 months and she now sleeps 12hrs at night and 2.5-4hrs in afternoon. this is quite a bit less than what she was getting a month ago (13-14hrs at night and 2-4hrs nap). Anything less and her behavior greatly shows that she is overtired.

[k8who]

i have 3 little ones that at home still have morning naps (my son included naps in the morning and afternoon on non-daycare days). I tell all parents that all the kids nap after lunch and we go out in the mornings via stroller to the park/library etc. so that if the little ones would like to snooze they can do so in the stroller. It works really well.. I have an 11 month old that really does need 2 naps a day but I also have a 3.5 year old that really needs to walk and burn off some steam in the mornings.. so it accommodates everyone. Parents don't seem to mind as long as their child has the opportunity to sleep and has a good nap in the afternoon.

also as for the night time sleep I definitely do not think that he is having TOO much sleep. Both my kids sleep 11-12 hours at night (they are 1 year and 3.5 years old)

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree that if it continues to be a pattern than maybe 2 naps is needed again but after just one night, I wouldn't go back to 2 naps.

For any children who need 2 naps, I nap them first thing in the morning for a quick 20-30 min nap and it doesn't interfere with our day at all. If I notice a child is tired, I will do this as well. I'd rather them have a quick catnap and be fine all day and still nap their 2 hours in the afternoon than deal with cranky kids all afternoon and risk their naptime. (I have found that some kids who are overtired won't actually nap that long and it ruins the afternoon schedule too)