The toddler nap battle!
For the last few weeks I have noticed a change in Arthur. He seems to be quite clingy, needing extra cuddles (always fine by me), but in general less willing to be independent.
The biggest impact seems to be nap time. He is struggling to get off to sleep. Well perhaps “struggling” is the wrong word, more like refusing. He is definitely tired but massively fights falling asleep. So, I’m facing the toddler nap battle!
I’ve had a few times where I’ve ended up going in and cuddling with him until he’s asleep.
This is a habit I REALLY don’t want to get into. Arthur’s sleep has always been kind of an obsession for me, almost certainly too much so. We worked really hard on him self settling and he has always in general, always slept well.For the longest time (really ever since we dropped down to 1 nap a day) he has had his nap 11-1. Having his lunch when he wakes up.
I’m not sure what this new nap battle is all about. These are the possible causes that are currently rattling round my head (and driving me insane)
- He’s 2 this month so perhaps it’s just part of the “terrible two’s”!?
- Maybe it’s something to do with me being pregnant? (Cue pregnancy guilt!)
- He should be going for his nap later (but then how do I fit that in with his lunch lunch?)
- He’s hungry (really, I know this isn’t the case as he has breakfast and a snack before he goes to bed, this boy definitely eats enough!)
- He’s distracted by toys in his room
- He feels like he’s missing out on stuff if he naps
- Maybe it’s somehow related to us starting potty training? (he now only has nappies on when he sleeps or if we go out the house)
I see this written down and I realise that I have definitely become a crazy over analysing mum.
Then when I’m really tired the possibilities get just a little irrational
- Arthur can sense my tiredness and thinks “she needs a rest, she’s not getting one!”
- He truly thinks I won’t be there when he wakes up (I have literally never spent 24 hours away from him!!)
- He is already jealous of his unborn brother spending more time with me.
Okay, yes definitely crazy.
Anyone else experience this when their little darling turned two? Or when they were pregnant? Or for any of the other reasons rattling round my brain?!
Oh no good luck lovely. I have yet to have this yet, but I know if and when the naps actually go I will be devastated! 😉 x
Katie @mummydaddyme recently posted…Contentment, Yellow Fields and Motherhood Ramblings…
If it’s any consolation T is exactly the same so I don’t think it has anything to do with pregnancy, it’s just their age. LP dropped her nap when T was born when she was 20 months old so my plan with T is perseverance. We have gone back to lots of cuddles and rocking a bit before his nap so that we put him down as relaxed and sleepy as possible – it’s helping so far x
Donna recently posted…I’m the mum who…
Ah I feel your pain. My worst days are the ones when my daughter won’t nap. I almost lose my mind. The break is just so important. I hope he settles back into it soon! X
Lucy @bottlefor2 recently posted…Five things that suck about wine
Thanks lovely!!! I think we need the break as much as they do 🙂 x
My toddler days are long behind me but what I can say is that they do go through phases and it’s forever changing! A lot of my friends’ kids dropped their nap at this age. My eldest napped til she was 5 because I’m selfish and need my time. My middle one til he was 3 yrs cos number 3 then came along and I cdn’t manage getting her to sleep AND him! Good luck! So glad you made it to #wineandboobs.
Absolutely Prabulous recently posted…wineandboobs linky June 9th
My little ones haven’t given me the toddler nap battle until approaching age 4 when they can have a full conversation with you – ask question after question – after question & scream like an adult. [That’s one of my battles right now too, so I understand & I’m right there with you!
Liz daRosa recently posted…Is it a Hat or ‘Fancy’ Hair-do Day?
Our tot is younger, only ten months but I’ve noticed a disruption to his sleeping often coincides with another one of the ‘leaps’ as per the Wonder Weeks. Might be coincidental but certainly frequently is at the same time as they predict.
#wineandboobs
Mama, My Kid Doesn’t Poop Rainbows recently posted…Shy Bladder and Not So Shy Baby
Oh dear, good luck! Annabelle is caught between removing nap time to just crashing on the sofa when it gets too much for her. Haha. Joys of toddlers eh! x
Debs @ Super Busy Mum recently posted…Our week in Photos!
Haha I love the crazy thoughts rattling around in your head – I have had them all 🙂 My daughter did the same thing when she was turning two (and I was pregnant), but so many things can throw them off kilter I just go with it these days 🙂 Good luck and hang in there! #wineandboobs
Donna recently posted…Comment on Raspberry Dark Choc Chunk Granola by Whole Food Bellies
We have had spates of this and it really was a case of moving the nap, I don’t have anny chance of getting him down until at least 1 now and I’ve moved dinner to before naptime. It was around this time in pregnancy too when I just wanted to sit and cry!! Naptime is back though.
Oh the other thing I do is pop him in his room and bed for downtime and if he’s not asleep after an hour I get him. Not had to get him yet (watch tomorrow be the day!!)xx
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks recently posted…Travel with Me; Fairytale Castles with Ashleigh from Simply Wright