Change in Routine

We were running like a well oiled piece of machinery. We had a routine that worked well. Lincoln slept on the way home from school (a third nap), made sure he was up by 5:15, nursed him, played, started bath water when he was tired of playing, bath lasted 20-30 minutes, dressed for bed, nursed, held until asleep, in crib between 7:30-8:00. It was like clock work, predictable. It's been over two weeks now that this "schedule" isn't working anymore. He wants to play until 9:00 or later now. Cries even when held, fine when you walk out of his room.

I'm getting ready to do some experimenting tonight. First, I'm waking him up when he gets home from school, which Joe should be home with him any minute. I'll nurse him and then we'll play. When he starts getting fussy/tired, I'll nurse him, bathe him, and lay him down to sleep. If after the bath he doesn't seem ready, we'll play/comfort a little longer until tired. I'm thinking that waking him up 4:00 rather than 5:15-5:30, he should be ready to wind down earlier. We'll see...

*UPDATE: As I was getting ready to write about how he went to bed at 7:00, he woke up an hour later. Since this post, he's gone to bed a couple nights around 8:00 and slept solid until a feeding around 2:00. Last night he went to bed at 10:00 again! I do know he is getting an upper tooth so let's hope that is why!