Is He Getting Enough Sleep?

Updated on April 16, 2012
K.I. asks from Katy, TX
10 answers

I think my three year old is phasing out of naps. He naps maybe 2 times a week. On the rare instances I do get him to nap (dark room, books, pajamas, white noise, and very predictable routine) he naps for 2-3 hours and I usually have to wake him up. He has always been a great nighttime sleeper. But over the last month or two he sometimes gets up in the middle of the night because of a nightmare, but promptly goes right back to sleep. To compensate for no nap he goes down between 6:30 or 7 every night. Since giving up naps he gets up earlier than he used to (anywhere from 5:00am to as late as 7am, but usually around 6:30 more often than not) He has always been such a sweet boy, but lately he's been an absolute monster. He is short tempered and screams when he doesn't get his way. Very disrespectful and often shows aggression towards little sister. I can't put him to bed any earlier. I can't make him nap. If I put him to be later, he still wakes the same time. I just feel like all these behavioral issues are due to lack of sleep. Don't know what to do! Please help. I want my sweet boy back!

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D.B.

answers from Dallas on

He may be tired, but those behavior problems are also part of the age. I call them the tyrannical 3's. I don't know where people got terrible 2's from because that is nothing compared to 3! They can do more things and are struggling to gain more independence, while still needing a lot of (unwanted) help. This ups their frustration level, but they still don't have the ability to handle all of those big emotions yet. And as you note, they are trying to transition to no naps. My 3rd son is almost 3 and full-on in this phase. I just posted yesterday about trying to maintain my sanity through this transition! It's not pretty, but it does pass. 4 is pretty terrific :) Hang in there, you aren't alone!

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

sweetness goes bye-bye at three. Four welcomes full on sass, and I am hoping 5 welcomes back sweetness.....

11-12 hours total is what is needed.

2 moms found this helpful
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V.M.

answers from Cleveland on

Ok, this might seem obvious, but sometime i get busy and i don't do this myself.
Balance the amount of Acitve time with down time.

So make sure you have him out doing something active in the am, playing ball iln your back yard, take him to a playground, put some music on and dance in the livingroom

then when he would have normally had his nap, chill things out, listen to a book on cd, snuggle up and read stories to him, work on puzzles or board games etc.

how is potty training? Could he be waking up at night because his bladder is full or his pullup is wet? You could try taking him potty half asleep at like 10 pm and see if that helps. too.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from New York on

Two was easy. Three was really, really challenging.

This is when parenting becomes very important.

Food for thought: When I was studying to become certified as a parent educator, I will never forget when a parenting expert told my class that three is hard- and went on to say--" If you are a doormat when your kid is 3, put a 1 in front of the three...In other words, 13 will be a nightmare. The same holds true when your kid is 4."

1 mom found this helpful
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L.P.

answers from San Francisco on

We gave up on naps when my daughter was three. It was too much to try and cajole a nap all the time and then she slept waaaay to long and was grumpy after. Now she goes to bed at 6:30 and is up around the same in the morning. She was really cranky in the beginning, but now it is great. We have our evenings to ourselves and there's no more power struggle over sleep (napping or bedtime). Sometimes she'll still fall asleep in the car, but since this is on her terms, it's not a big deal. Hang in there, it may be that your son is learning a new skill or working through something. It seems that just when you think the struggles never gonna end, there comes a reprieve.

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

I really dislike the age three. Lucky for me, my youngest just turned 4. Good luck.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

He is tired. He needs that nap. He is going to bed way too early for his age. Make some simple changes and he should fall back into his old routine.

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A.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Might not be sleep. My son still naps (but some days not for very long), but still went through the same thing at 3 1/2. It lasted about three months and he gradually grew out of it. I hope the same happens for you!

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

Will he stay in room and rest? Mught be terrible 3's. sorry!

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I agree with the moms who say its an age thing not a sleep thing. My son is almost 3 and he only takes naps every couple of days. he also goes to bed around 6:30 or 7. However we have a rule that he is not allowed out of bed till mama is out of bed, and alot of times he will fall back to sleep.

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