My 9 Month Old Is Refusing His Morning Nap!

Updated on February 13, 2008
T.W. asks from Wethersfield, CT
15 answers

Until 2 days ago, my 9 month old son took 2 naps a day. 9:30am and 2:30pm. For the past 2 days, he has boycotted his morning nap! Yesterday, I tried all my tricks... to no avail (he also refused his afternoon nap, and ended up sleeping on my lap for an hour from 4-5pm after I nursed him). Today, I put him in the crib about 1/2 hour later than usual, and he chatted to himself quite cheerfully for 20 minutes... probably about how he was foiling mama's nap plans! He is on the verge of walking- and I've heard that sometimes big milestones can screw up a sleeping schedule. Any tips??

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R.Z.

answers from Boston on

Liam might be ready to give up his morning nap. My son gave up his morning nap at around 11 months. He then took an afternoon nap from 1 to around 4-4:30 until he was around 4. After that, he took a little nap until around 5 years old when he started kindergarden.

Try putting him down earlier in the afternoon if he doesn't want to nap in the morning.

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P.F.

answers from Boston on

I am a 62 yr. old Mom and Grandmother. When my 3 children were 10 months old, they also gave up their morning nap. But come after noon nap they did real good. So maybe your 9 month old just doesn't need that morning nap anymore. Not all children require the same amount of sleep.. Just trying to help , hope it works. Take Care P. F.

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P.S.

answers from Boston on

I don't have any tips, but I had a somewhat similar situation. We moved when my daughter was just over 9 months old and the transition wreaked havoc on her sleeping (she had previously been a great sleeper). We eventually did sleep training when it wasn't getting better, and during that time (around 10 months) she transitioned to one nap. I would try sticking to a routine for a little while, and if your son needs the nap he'll start sleeping again, but it's also possible he's just early to drop the 2nd nap. Good luck! P.

P.H.

answers from Boston on

I woudll try to play a little rough play (boucning, hopping the like) or take him outside in the cold air (it seems to tire them out) befor ehis nap time. At 9 mos he really needs his naps (and so do you!) my osn just stopped napping this past year at 4.

Keep up at it, tire him out! Good Luck

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S.Q.

answers from Boston on

Maybe he is ready to go for that one long nap? I know mine have all done it around 1 year. It is nice, because it turns from 2 hour long naps to one 3 hour nap. Heaven! He does seem a little young, though. He may just be pulling some tricks, so stick to your guns (whatever your instict is telling you), it will pass.

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T.K.

answers from Boston on

Hello My son started to walk at just 8 Months two weeks old..Before that he took two naps a Day..After he found his walking feet he took just one nap from 12:30pm to 3:00pm then went to bed at 8:30pm and sleep all night till around 8:00am
Some times iw ould still put him in his crib for his Am nap so i could toss in wash or take a shower. He would just talk to him self and play with a few small crib toys he had..

Congrats on the early walker..Its always so cute to see the young ones hit big mild stones so early..

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M.F.

answers from Pittsfield on

Hi
I would suggest you change his nap time completely. say if he's up at 7am put him down at for nap at noon. he can eat lunch early at 11. Then you can slowly hold him off till noon for lunch with nap right after.
worked for me.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Unfortunately just when things are on schedule, they change it. Just give it a week and he will be on another schedule for you that will hopefully work. And yes, big milestones mess everything up. Don't worry, its only temporary.

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A.L.

answers from Boston on

It is true that when they learn something new i.e. walking they start lacking a little with something else. My daughter started walking around 10 months and when that was going on she wasn't eating well.
What i would do is just put him down after you nurse him, and then leave the room. He will probably start crying so let him cry 20min , if he is till crying after 20 min then go in and rub his belly tell him it ok and that it's nap time then leave the room again. I hardly doubt though that he will still be cryig after 20. My daughter still does that she will cry for maybe 2 min then she'll be out like a light. Her morning nap is at 10AM, she normaly gets up between 6 and 7 AM. Sometimes she will only take one nap for almost 2 to 3 hours, if she does that then she wont take an afternoon nap.
Good luck.

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K.T.

answers from Boston on

Once my children reached this age they were no longer taking 2 naps a day. I would try the lunch around 11am, and nap by 11:45am. It may take a week to get adjusted but I think if you stick to this new schedule, it will work out just fine and he might even sleep for 2hrs!! Best of Luck

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C.H.

answers from Boston on

Some kids cont need as much sleep. Hes probably ready for one 2 hour nap a day. Try giving him an early lunch, 110 or 1130 and put him down around noon. You may see that hes just getting older and not quite the sleepy infant anymore. Milestones definately can screw up a sleep schedule, they just want to practice! But this sounds to me to be like he just doesnt need that morning nap...my 2 girls were aroung 7/8 months when they went to one..if I remember correctly...good luck!

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L.H.

answers from Portland on

hi i know he is only young but if your son has a tv or a radio in his room try leaving that on low volume so it makes him feel there is someone else there,it works on my daughter she naps around about 9.30am till noon and then she is up till 7 - 8pm and she sleeps better at night .

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M.S.

answers from Burlington on

If he is 9 months old and on the verge of walking he must be more active than some babies so the fact that he doesn't need as many naps would be normal for him. Hard for you though, especially being a nursing mom. I'd advice not to force the naps.

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S.I.

answers from Boston on

Sounds pretty normal. I think a lot of kids lose the am nap at that age. Our son lost his morning nap around then, but he was also in a school environment and it was just too exciting to sleep. What is great is that he spends a ton of energy then crashes to sleep after lunch, sleeping 2-4 hours. Go with the flow. I'd let the morning one go, but strongly reinforce the afternoon one. They keep that one for a while and it becomes the precious time of day when you get things like bills done.

Me: 32 years old, work full-time and have a very independent, adorable 26-month-old

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G.H.

answers from Boston on

My 9 month old is doing the exact same thing! I have done essentially what the other moms suggest. I have started feeding her lunch at 11 am, and then giving her a LONG afternoon nap. She is down to one nap a day and her nighttime sleeping pattern has actually gotten a little better too (she used to sleep 11 hours, now sleeps 12-13 at night).

I guess those textbooks that say after 12 months they go down to one nap are only guidelines--ones that my 9 month old has never really followed!

Good luck with the new routine!

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