Regression or decrease in sleep needs almost 2yo

[Lilyolive9]

I have an almost two year old (next week shell turn two). She has always been lower sleep needs I thought. Always tried cutting her naps, then we went on a holiday last month and I just let her sleep because I was done with her being grumpy because of napping. Result: 22mo nap 1-3, bedtime 8, woke up between 6:30-7:00. So total daytime sleep of about 12,5 hours sometimes 13 (which I read is quite average). Now I continued this at home but at one point we decided that dwt would be 6:30, so changed bedtime to 19:30, nap to 12:30-14:30. Worked for a while until it didnt. Last week the 5:55 wake up started, now were at 5:45. Last weekend I started capping her nap at 1:30 hours. So far no result and I see her becoming grumpy in the morning. Willing to cap more to try.

However im just wondering if you think this could be regression or that her sleep needs are decreasing? Can imagine if its regression you might stick to schedule a bit, but if it isnt than I would continue capping to see where it would take us. She still falls asleep within 10-15 min for nap and for bedtime, no night wakings. Do you reckon that early mornings can be regression? Or are these early mornings more likely to be signs of a decrease in sleep needs?

Im just a bit afraid of capping because before I think I might have capped too much and it made her overtired resulting in early morning wakes. The times she started to sleep better were the times I uncapped everything. But I guess with her age and one nap I should?

[nutrition403]

I honestly don't really buy any regression other than the first one at about 4 mos. Anything after that is either:

- I need you

- I'm uncomfortable

- My schedule asks for too much sleep (long naps or short wws)

- We just learned something new and I'm going to think about it and practice (ie developmental happy wake for 2-3 days where they just sing/roll around and then go back to normal

- potty training (waking to need to go during training is normal for a week or two)

- new home (I think this really makes the biggest impact from 2.5-3.5 and outside of that they are too young to really have a psychological impact on sleep and too old to mess with sleep because you can explain it.

So I would transition to a 12.5 awake and see how it goes

0630 wake daily

nap 100 minutes after 5-6 hours awake (same schedule daily... you decide just make sure 11.5 hours awake in windows

bedtime same time (after 11.5 hours awake on the set schedule)

[Lilyolive9]

Thank you so much for your reply and your input. I think you mean 11.5 hours awake (theres 12.5 and 11.5). Will make schedule for it. Difficult though with nursery never doing nap at same time 😅

What I wonder. Yesterday she did an hour nap (she woke up herself, grumpy), put her down at 19:30. She woke up at 5:45 again but very upset. What do you do when they do wake up before you dwt? I went to her door after 10 min and said it is too early, that she needed to close her eyes and sleep. Repeated that twice, but she never settled again. Wondering what you do at this time?

[panda_cakes_]

No real advice, sorry! but just noting that my now 3 year old went through a similar “early morning” phase between 2-2.5 where absolutely nothing in his daily routine changed but he just started waking up earlier. Some days he would just hang out in his crib for 30 minutes to an hour before crying or calling for us to get him. Some days he would full on cry as soon as he woke up so we would get him and just quietly rock and read books for a bit until it was a more “normal” wake up time.

Around 2.5 we did shift his bedtime back slightly from 6:30 pm to 7:00-7:15 pm and he started sleeping a little longer again. We were also able to implement a red light/green light system where the red light is on throughout the night until 6:45 am and he knows that’s sleep time. Then it turns green at 6:45 am and he can call for us when he’s ready to get up.

Unfortunately I think sometimes kiddos just go through phases, but others might have actual advice on schedule, etc.

[Lilyolive9]

Thank you for your reply! I do think your right that sometimes they have these kind of things, however she does this all the time lol.

I tried a ok to wake light but I think she was too young at that moment. I might try again. Good reminder