Empathic Sleep Teaching - View topic - 3 yr old: inconsistent naps & bedtime - Infant sleep services for tired parents - Free Message Board Hosting by FreePowerBoards.com

My son is 3 yrs 9 mos. Currently he is napping 2 hours at school 3 days a week. At home he naps less than 50% of the time and it's not uncommon for me to have to wake him after 2 hours. If i do wake him from his nap he is CRANKY! When he naps he is not getting to sleep at night until 8:30 - 9:00 pm, sometimes 9:30 (Even though i have him "down" at 8:00). On the days he does not nap he's asleep by 6:30 or 6:45. He wakes up between 5:30 and 6:30 typically so he's only getting about 9 hours of sleep on the nights he naps. He seems to perpetually have bags under his eyes. We've struggled with his sleep from the start so I've read tons of books on the subject. I'm a believer of the early bedtime and "sleep begets sleep" but my husband gets frustrated when we try to do bedtime at 7:30 but deal with "shenanigans" until 9pm. I feel it's harmful to have the bedtime fluctuate so greatly from the nap to no-nap days. I feel he NEEDS the nap daily, but of course can't MAKE him sleep. The rest time on cots is required at school so I can't have a full week without naps either. What should I do to gain consistency in his schedule, or is it not a problem to have the fluctuation?

Hi Lisamarie,

Thanks for joining Smile

My first thought is that his naps are interferring with his night sleep, therefore, probably time to discontinue his napping. You can keep it a rest period but discourage him from falling into a deep sleep for any length of time. And then of course, go with the early bedtime, consistently. Eventually, he'll sleep longer at night.

Hope that helps, and feel free to keep asking questions.
_________________
Darcie French, BSW
Founder of Empathic Sleep Teaching

Hi Lisamarie,

Thanks for joining Smile

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