am i putting my son down to late?

Question

i usually lay my son down for bed time at 9pm.... but i hear all the other parents say between 7 and 8 and i am worried now that i lay him down to late..... he usually naps between 1 and 3..... any thoughts?

oops i forgot to mention that he is 16 months old!!

Answer 1

No, that isn't too late. You have a schedule that works for you. My son is 19 months old, he is put to bed at 10:30, wakes up by 9, and has a 2 hour nap around 2 in the afternoon (right after lunch). This schedule works great for us.... I am not a morning person at all, so it's perfect. If I put him to bed by 8, he'd be up before 6, and I wouldn't be able to wake myself up with him. You're doing fine, don't let anyone tell you that you're doing wrong by letting him stay up until 9.

Answer 2

At that age your son needs a good 10-12 hour sleep at night in addition to his 2 hour nap, so if he is getting that then that is fine but to stay up from waking at 3pm through to 9 is a long stretch and could make him over-tired. Most baby/toddler books recommend a bedtime between 6:30-8pm. If you miss the "sleep window" it can be hard for them to settle. My 14 month old is ready to crash by 6:30-7pm and he and his 2 year old brother always go to bed before 7 and sleep right through (with the exception of my 2 year old at times!). They nap from 12:30-2:30 pm so are always tired enough for an early evening.

In relation to some of the answers here, personally I think it is a little selfish to keep your child up late so that they sleep in later in the morning to suit your own needs. Children can't be ruled by your desired schedule, you need to do what is best for them and learn to wake up a bit earlier! I have seen children arrive at preschool tired and unable to learn effectively from late nights and poor routines at home.

Don't be too worried, but maybe you might consider moving it back a little, gradually to about 8:30 then maybe 8pm? That would be a better time and is not so far off 9 so he may not notice the change. I'd recommend a 6:30-8pm bedtime for any child up to the age of 5 as they need plenty of sleep for their active, growing little bodies to rest and revive.

All the best.

(Mum of 2 toddlers and former early childhood teacher)

Answer 3

The average time boys like those two go to sleep is about 8:30. But when i was that age I went to bed at the same time. Whatever works with you best though.

Answer 4

I think its fine if thats what works for you. Everyone has different schedules that work for them. My kids are 4 and 2 and they go to bed between 8 and 8:30 and I like it that way so I have peace and quiet for awhile before I go to bed.

Answer 5

If it's working for you, it's fine. My daughter went to be around 9 or 10 at that age, and got up at about 9 am. Once she stopped taking naps (at 2!), she went to bed much earlier.

Answer 6

you can put your baby to sleep whenever you want. the important issue is that he is getting enough sleep. my son is 17 months old, he goes to bed at 9pm, wakes up at 7-8am, and naps anywhere between 12-3pm.

Answer 7

i say whatever works for you and your schedule. just make sure he's getting enough sleep. if he gets 10 -12 hours of sleep a night, then that's fine. but if you have to wake him at 5 in the morning every day to take him to day care or something, then i'd lay him down earlier. but if he doesn't go anywhere, then i'm sure he's fine.

Answer 8

my son goes to bed before 7 pm. you need to put him to bed at whatever time works best for you and you family. i guess the question is, is your son cranky durning the day? if he is and only takes 1 nap a day then i guess he needs to go down earlier.

Answer 9

If it works for you then it's fine. If you lay him down at 7pm you might find him waking up way before you want him to in the morning. No need to change if it's working.

Answer 10

What ever time suits you. My 2yo boys go to bed before 7pm, because me and my man like to relax in peace before bed. We have always had them in this routine.
It suits us.