If your sweetie needs two naps ,she will sleep--One suggestion is try taking the naps with her-at least the second one-You most likely need the rest too!!Enjoy "little" as much as you can,it is a truly incredible age!!
We are going through this too. Personally, I say if they are tired, then let them nap. Although at the same time maybe try to slowly stretch the nap time out in 15 minute increments every few days. But if your daughter turns cranky, fussy and tired early, then I would put her down. I think a 30 minute late afternoon nap are what these toddlers need until they fully transition. That is exactly what our son does too. Although it's not so convenient for us adults, it's what the kids seem to need.
You are doing a great job!
I started putting both of my kids down for one nap a day at 18 months, so it looks like your 17 month old is already ready for 1 nap a day. Enjoy your new free morning and get some stuff done, feed her lunch around 11:30 to 12 noon and then put her down around 1 pm or so. She'll probably sleep around 2 to 3 hours since she'll be more tired. Good luck!
That is about the time my daughter made the transition to one nap per day. It started out at about 11:45 and she slept for two hours then it gradually got pushed back a little at a time and now nap time is from about12:30 or 1:00 until 3:00. It is best for us so that she can have lunch at about 12 and relax a bit before getting into bed. I wouldn't keep her up until the desired time all at opnce......gradually increase the time you keep her up and she will do fine
This is about the time they switch from one to two naps. The book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth is my sleep bible for my kids. It helps you at each age from birth to 18years to know what kinds of sleep patterns your child should have and how to establish those patterns and how to help make transitions like the one your daughter is going through a lot more smooth. This book is amazing. I have an almost four year old and a 16 month old. They are both such happy kids when they are awake because they get enough sleep. Without the knowledge I gained and still gain as I go back and reread different parts of this book I wouldn't know how to help them get quality sleep so that we can all be a happier family.
Just keep pushing it back by 15 mins at a time until you make it to a 12:00 or 1:00 nap time!
I would try to keep her up past her usual mornign nap and do an earlier lunch. Then do one afternoon nap. Eventually you can start pushing that nap time back until about 1pm. Good luck!
Hi Nicole! Don't sweat it. Your daughter will very quickly go to one nap a day and push it to a later time on her own. As long as she is sleeping well at night let her nap when she is sleepy, though not late in the afternoon. I have three teenagers and so have some experience with the nap thing. You really don't have a problem. Be thankful she's still taking naps at 17 months. I had "the baby who never slept" for my first one!
I read a really good sleep book called "Good Night, Sleep Tight" by Kim West. It says that most children shift to one nap around 18 months. She recommends pushing the morning nap a little later. It might be an adjustment period for awhile, but it sounds like your daughter's starting to give up that 2nd nap. Good luck!
Jennifer
My kids always made the transition on their own. I think after a while her morning naps will get later and later. That has been my experience. The transition is always difficult though! Hang in there!
wow, lucky you. my daughter was done with 2 naps by 9 months. sounds like you can try moving to 1 nap later in the day. i take my daughter out of the house to make sure she was worn out and ready for a nap. you may also have to move up her bedtime. if she has 1 two hour nap she may need between 11 and 13 hours of sleep at night. good luck!
I wanted to extend a huge “Thank you!” to all of you who responded. All of your opinions and advice were very helpful & taken to heart. I still struggled with what to do after posting my question and tried putting my daughter down later for just a couple of days & it totally backfired. Then, Mommy finally got the guts to stand stong for a few days & now my daughter is doing MUCH better! She’s taking one nap starting at about 12:30 & has napped for the past 4 days anywhere between 1 1/2 to 2/12 hours. It was clearly time for her to transition to the one nap. Thankfully, she’s not getting up so darn early in the morning either!! Thanks, Mommies for the help!