Help! Sleeping issue

[gbailey]

She's 20 months old. Her usual schedule was up between 8:30AM and 9:30AM with a nap from 2-4pm or on a very good day 2-5 and bedtime at 9PM. We've only had a couple of occasions in the past where she didn't nap or took a half hour nap. For the past couple of weeks she'll either not nap or just play in her crib until and if she falls asleep. The evening time used to be easy too. Now, I lay her down at 9 and if we're lucky she falls asleep at midnight. She gets plenty of physical activity and in the evening it's clear she's tired and cranky but just not interested in going to sleep. Is it possible she's having a growth spurt. I increased the amount we give her to eat thinking maybe she was still hungry but still issues with sleeping. Is there anything I can do or is just a growing phase?

[rvamommy]

IMO, it kind of sounds like nap time is too close to bedtime. I know every child is different but my 18 m/o DD has an almost identical schedule to yours except she naps from about 1 to 3. I've found that DD needs about a 5 to 6 hour gap from the end of her nap to her bedtime. We have a nice lunch, play & then go up to nurse and sleep. I won't let her nurse for the 1 or 2 hours leading up to nap time and it seems like it is very relaxing a welcome when she gets the milk.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Artichokie]

my dd needs 6-7 hours of activity between periods of sleep. If she is asleep at 4pm, she is guaranteed to be up until 11PM. if she sleeps until 9:30 AM, she will not nap until 3:30 or 4. then she will be up til 11.

[gbailey]

Thanks moms. This morning DD woke up at 8. Im giving her lunch at noon and putting her down for a nap right after she poops and hopefully that will be around 12:45 PM. Im hoping the earlier nap time helps.

[gbailey]

Update! DD fell asleep @ 1:15pm. She woke up at 3:30 because she pooped and after her bath she was super cranky and asleep by 9:30. Thanks for the good advice!

[ema-adama]

I've just gone through this. Earlier waking times seems to do the trick. It was doing my head in, serisouly. I had no time quietly by myself or with DH. DS now wakes up at 6:30 - 7:00 am and naps from 12 - 2pm or 1- 3pm. It's not perfect yet, but we are getting him asleep by 8 more often now. My goal is to have him asleep by 7:30..... we'll see.

I like the idea of nursing being somewhat restricted until rest time. Not sure if that would work for us, but I'm gonna try. DS is 23 months.