How to get a 2 year old into a napping/sleep routine?

Hi! I can commiserate with you! My 28 month old son has been skipping naps for several days in a row and it is making me crazy! He has just made some huge advances in his language skills and he basically talks to himself for an hour instead of sleep. I plan on putting him down on a daily basis anyway, whether he sleeps or not. The kids need down-time...and so do I! I agree with you that this is much too early to drop the naps. This is probably a blip, and I'll bet both our kids will start to sleep again.

Probably not what you want to hear, but my son was essentially done with naps around that age. He will take the occasional nap if he has more activity than normal, but he is basically done. It all depends on the kid and their "phases".

Hah! I think Mom LK said it all very nicely!

If she's having quiet time in her room, then keep up with that routine. I do completely agree with you that she's probably too young to give it up entirely, but if she's having her own little personal quiet time, then maybe that's the rest she needs for now?

Keep up with the routine by putting her down as if it is a daily expectation. She might not get the 2.5-3 hours anymore (yeah, my 31 month old used to do that and now we're lucky if we get 90 minutes!), but if she's getting the calm, downtime AND seems content the rest of the afternoon you're probably okay. She might also slide back into her routine as long as you keep the 'nap time' expectation.

Good luck to you!

My daughter is the same age. She sometimes plays for a good 20 min. before she falls asleep for her nap.

All three of my older kids went through this phase at around the same age. Just keep up your routine and eventually she will nap again. My third is almost 3 and he's still napping after the fighting it phase. Keep at it as long at possible, because let me tell you now with a 6.5 and almost 5 year old, I am MISSING that complete quiet of everyone sleeping.

My 23 month old daughter boycots naps as well from time to time. I noticed it really depends on her activity level during the day. After about 4 or 5 days, then she sleeps really well for about a week. It could be a growth spurt, or maybe she's really not worn out. (Although the Mom's usually are!) :) Try increasing her activity before nap time & see if it helps. Also watch what she's eating for lunch (sugar content) if she naps afterwards. Good luck!! Seems too early for her to have outgrown naps.