WWYD - Toddler Nap Troubles

[ilikedonuts]

Tell him it's quiet time and you'll get him when it's over bc you need a rest too. Then i would lock my kid in if I had to but I know some people aren't on board with that.

[scribellesam]

If that gets you your break, it seems like a fine plan to me. I do whatever it takes to get my 2.75yo to nap everyday because the break is essential to my sanity. In my case, that often means sitting next to his toddler bed, singing "You Are my Sunshine" on an endless loop for 10-20min until he finally drifts off. So I'm in no position to judge!

[countthestars]

I would tell him that he has to play quietly in his room if he isn't going to sleep and leave him there. The walks don't sound horrible either but hey, I still drive my kid for naps so what do I know.

[teatimefor2]

Can you do quiet time? DS1 doesn't always nap, but will 'read' books for hours.

Hugs, that is so hard.

[kelseybelsey]

My daughter went through that too. We just waited it out and put enough books in her room that she kept herself occupied. She is 3.75 now and naps just fine, still. We did get her a toddler clock when she was around that age that turns colors when she is supposed to sleep/get up. It helps.

[t]

I'm having the opposite problem. DD is boycotting naps at daycare but still takes them at home.

So I have no advice. I've been bribing with jelly beans lol. It's not working.

[kelseybelsey]

Now that I think about it, my daughter had her nap troubles when I was pregnant as well. Since your son naps at daycare, I wonder if it is an attention issue with the new baby coming.

[sent]

Mine is refusing naps since yesterday when I was home with her. Except she is closer to "baby" than full blown toddler at this point so there is no negotiating with her yet. She just doesn't get it and instead screams. Yet she naps and does quiet time pretty well during the week with grandma at grandma's "daycare."

My husband put her into the crib without her realizing I am still in the apartment, and then he left to go out (she saw him leave). She howled for 10 minutes but fell asleep at 3:30 and I thought FINALLY. 30 minutes later she was up crying.

My sympathies to you being pregnant and having a non napping toddler. And the weather is so sucky with the rain, it's not even a great day to want to be walking around!

[kelseybelsey]

Mar 14, 2015 15:53:48 GMT -5 @pnkybrwstr said:

Mar 14, 2015 15:47:45 GMT -5 kelseybelsey said:

Now that I think about it, my daughter had her nap troubles when I was pregnant as well. Since your son naps at daycare, I wonder if it is an attention issue with the new baby coming.

I've actually wondered the same (and daycare suspects this).  We've had a hectic few months (DH was out of the country for 5 weeks, his appendix burst the week he returned and he wasn't himself for a while, and we switched daycare) and he's been sort of clingy ever since.

O is not a fan of change, and he definitely knows something is up.

[

We tried doing story time together with our daughter. We also talked and had a heart to heart with her about what it will be like after the baby was born. We did afternoon dates one-on-one with her as well. This seemed to help

[Deleted]

The only thing that works with O is if we just go lie down in our bed. If everyone is taking a nap and he chooses to join us, he naps. Otherwise, nope. Same deal - naps great at daycare.

Upside is bedtime is an hour earlier on no-nap days.

[Deleted]

DS went on a nap strike around that age. I asked my mom for help (she's a nurse) and her advice worked! She said no food between breakfast and lunch, it makes LO more hungry for lunch. Lunch needs lots of protein to fill LO up, and push milk b/c the triptophan (sp) makes them sleepy. Put LO down for a nap right after lunch, with a consistent routine. Dark room, PJs (visual cue that it's time to SLEEP), and books (no electronics!). These steps fixed DS's naps immediately, and are still going strong at age 3.

[aspentosh]

DD went through this phase. Days and days stretched into weeks of no napping but I kept pushing down/quiet time. After about 3 weeks she went back to napping and at a little over 3 she still naps most days (minus the DST change, grrrr).

[madisen]

You said he'll fall right asleep in the stroller. Right around nap time can you take him out in the stroller to the end of the block or however long it takes, go back home, and leave him napping in the stroller?