Changes in sleep pattern

[ovaz129]

Here we go again... another sleep question.  Leighton has been back on 2 naps/day for the past couple months after taking 1 nap/day for almost 1 month.  We had to switch her back to 2 naps because it just wasn't working out.  

Here is the problem now:  

She acts tired in the AM, so I put her down for a nap.  Sleeps about 2 hours. (roughly 9:30am-11:30am)
Acts tired in the PM, so I put her down for a nap.  Sleeps about 1.5-2 hours (roughly 3-4:30 or 5pm)
Goes to bed between 7:30pm-8pm
Has been waking up at 5:15am for the past week or more

This waking up at 5:15am isn't working for us... at all.  She used to sleep until 7:30am.  I have cut the morning nap for the past 3 days (including today) and she is still waking up at 5:15am.  What is the deal?  Suggestions on what I am doing wrong here?  We need our sleep :)

[ovaz129]

Good thought... should I just slowly start cutting her AM nap but 15 min every few days or just do it all at once?  

She SCREAMS her brains out when she wakes up at 5:15am until someone gets her.  I mean bloody murder.  Which is also different than before because if she woke up before we did she would play in her crib and "talk" to her stuffed animals.  

Anywho... I will do what you suggested with that AM nap and see if that helps :)

[Jem75]

Hey Ovaz, in the process of dropping Hayden's nap, I started pushing her am nap shorter - I would let her nap for no more than an hour. That seemed to help. BUT, Hayden goes to bed at 8 and gets up at 6:30. Can you let her just chill in her crib in the early morning? I bet she is super active and needs the sleep but sometimes shortening the nap times help.