Question About Sleepy Toddler

My daughter did the same thing when she started walking. Gracie was always a good sleeper but all that moving around seemed to drain her and require a lot more sleep. It took a couple of weeks and then her sleep pattern changed again. She went through a few phases of extra sleep that made me wonder if something else was going on and just as I was about to panic the cycle would end. I don't know about you but I feel like every time I get a handle on exactly what she needs something changes and I'm guessing again. My little one definately keeps me on my toes!

Ok, not to scare you, but have you ever had his heart listened to? He may have a hole that didn't close or something else causing him to not get the right amount of oxygen. Does he seem to breathe hard or does his abdomin right under his ribs pull in when he breathes? Or he could just be a sleepy toddler. But I would have my pediatrician check him for any heart related issues or lung issues. I hope I haven't sent you into a panic, I'm just a mom of a child with a congenital heart defect and so I think everything is heart related. :)
Best wishes,
T.

He should be weaned off 2 naps and just taking one in the afternoon. When my daughter turned 1 I spent a week retraining her to stay awake in the morning. She sleeps from 12:30-2:30 and then 11-12 hours at night.

If he's really tired you should talk with his pediatrician about getting his blood iron levels checked. Sounds like he could be a little anemic. Make sure he's getting a daily multivitamin with iron. It's a very common problem at this age.

Liquid drops are best right now. They smell bad but taste good. I squired it right in my kids mouths. They started on Flintstones at 18 months. I also give them extra vitamin D on days where we don't play outside.

A., First of all you are so LUCKY that your son wants to sleep! My daughter used to fight us and never wanted to go to sleep around that age. If he's tired let him sleep. If you go shopping (for example) all day and walk like there's no tomorrow you would be tired too, it's sort of the same principle. Toddlers get tired just like adults can so this is very normal. There is a book called "Is my child overtired?" by Dr Wilchof and it has a chart to tell you how much sleep a child needs at different ages. You can maybe find it on-line or at the library. Hope this helps!

If he doesn't have any other symptoms and if his 'finger stick' bloodwork is OK, just count your blessings! Usually in this day and age of hyper-stimuli, kids DON'T sleep well -- or enough. I think boys need even more rest than little girls do (having had 2 of each and now 2 grandsons and a granddaughter).

God bless!

HE may be growing. the growth hormone kicks in when we sleep and it's hard work growing :) as long as it's not interfereing with his days/nights, let him sleep. it's probably just a phase. Myson did that too

A., we're going through the same thing. My son just turned 1 and started working. I think it's natural because of the extra energy they use when walking and being more active. Now, we just have to sleep more to keep up with them! Good luck.

YES! Let you child sleep more. They definitely need it. You both will be much happier:)

Yes they do ! My son is 17 months old & the more he walks around & plays outside, the more he wants a nap. He sleeps a lot better at night if he works off some energy.

talk to your doctor i have never heard of anything like this. i worked in day care and watched many children going from all 4s to just 2 and never saw this. good luck

Hi A. - yes, sounds pretty normal. Take your cues from him. If he is tired and needs to go to sleep a bit earlier, then honor those signals. I would strongly advice against stopping the second nap (like one M. suggested) until your son indicates that HE is ready to stop that second nap. The second nap will probably begin to go away between now and 15 - 18 months. It will occur naturally. You will begin to notice that some days he just doesn't fall asleep for that second nap and some days he'll fall asleep right away. Gradually there will be more days where he isn't napping twice. He will self wean from the second nap. On those days where he only takes one nap, you'll notice that you need to get him to bed a little earlier. He'll still have a healthy nights sleep, so don't worry. My daughter was and still is a fantastic sleeper, just like your son. I'd call your ped to let him or her know what's going on just to make yourself feel better, but barring any other signs that he is not himself, I would say he's just tired because he's using so much energy enjoying this new skill! Good luck!

All 3 of my sons needed more naptime when they became more active and when they went through growth spurts also. It is perfectly normal. Enjoy him while he is young. They grow up so fast! Good Luck

Yep pretty normal. My son is 14 months old and he started walking at 10 1/2 months. He stays soooo busy while he's awake it's almost like he's exhausted all the time. My son is also a good sleeper. He usually sleeps anywhere from 10-12 hours every night and he usually takes a really long nap in the afternoons averaging 3 hours. However, when he wakes up he's constantly yawning as though he's tired. But again he doesn't sit down and rest the entire time he's up. I was worried and asked the doctor and she said he was normal. He would probably slow down around 18-24 months. Also, he's a boy so he's more active and into things than girls are, at least that's been my experience.