[AvadaKedavra]

We went through a couple phases of nap refusal between 2-2.5. We persisted and at 3, DS still naps. They lasted a couple weeks each time. For us a 5;30 bedtime wasn't an option.

[lozoodle]

My DD went through that phase, I stuck at it though. She went a month or two with no nap and her night sleep was pretty shocking as a result (overtired).

I ended up bringing it back in at about 10am (we get up at 6am) and it did the trick. She still has it now at 3y8m. Her night sleep also improved massively (7pm-6am with no wake ups unless she wakes to go to the toilet) as a result. The 10am nap works really well as it still gives a big block of awake time in the afternoon to burn off energy, and I also found if I left it to, say, 12pm I would miss that window of opportunity and nap just wouldn't happen.

This post has been edited by lozoodle: 21/08/2012, 09:27 AM

[Bel Rowley]

Sounds like a pretty normal transition period when a child drops their last day nap.

[IVL]

It is a contsant juggle trying to accomodate their ever changing needs isn't it?

We went through the same with DD 1 at the same age your little one is, and now with DD2 who is 3.5 we are just starting this challenging time again. It all sounds very normal and you just do what works for your family at the time. If no nap and a nice early bedtime fits in with your family, go with it. Eventually bedtime will get later but for the moment enjoy you nights off and a have a romantic meal with your partner or catch up on what you enjoy doing.

Some days we can see DD really struggling and take her for a walk in the pram which normally has her taking a 40 min nap just to take the edge off. She will often want to stay up later when that happens.

[PurpleChicken]

We too are going through this on a weekend. DD (2yo) will nap at daycare, but the weekends for us are hit and miss and if she doesn't get her nap, she's buggered and cranky by 4.30/5pm.

Putting her to bed much earlier isn't really a solution for us though as she will then wake up super early the next morning so we normally try to hold off till her normal bedtime if we can, or we'll put her in bed 30mins earlier if she's really stuffed (so between 7-7.30pm).

[Kemma]

Thanks everyone. I kind of like the early bed time, she still sleeps thru mostly and if she goes to bed late she still wakes up at 6/630 anyway.
I think I'll just leave it up to her and see where it goes. Most days she's happy but then hits the wall at the end of the day.
I'm very pleased to know she's not too far out of the ordinary!

[libbylu]

Yep, that was my DS. He was refusing a nap by age 2, but I kept it going for a few months by either rocking him to sleep in a rocking chair or driving around in the car. Eventually I was over that , so it was no nap by 2.5. The transition was tough, as he was dementedly tired from about 4pm on and we put him to bed at 6. Then he slept til 7am (13 hours), which was actually more sleep than he had been getting with the nap (1 hour nap + 11 hours over night=12 hours). The extremely cranky tired behaviour eased off over a few months.

[Ruby Gloom]

Ugh yes we're going through it now too and it's a shock because my 6.5 year old never went through and will still have the occasional one day weekend sleep. Mr 2 is go go go and isn't interested in his daysleep anymore (unless he's in the car!)

[niggles]

My 4 year old is still like that some days. It has a silver lining because it means I can get her to bed really early. To deal with the cranky tiredness I put her in the bath before dinner. She eats dinner in her singlet then pyjama top goes on, story and straight to bed. It doesn't seem to affect her wake up time.