Almost 2 Yr Old Resisting Nap/bedtime

What I am about to say won't work for everyone....... for obvious reasons....... but it worked for me. I put a queen mattress on the floor, sometimes we slept in my bed, and I took a nap with my daughter. After about a month, she was able to go down peacefully for her naps again.
Also, you could probably just struggle with it for about a month and he may grow out of it on his own. Try moving his nap forward or backward an hour. He may not be tired enough yet..... or may suddenly be getting too tired earlier.... it sometimes happens. Good luck.

A.,
Totally normal behavior. My daughter is now 2.5 and I've found that we've had to adjust her sleeping schedule more times than I can remember since she was born. The amount of sleep kids need changes and your little one is nearing 2, and he's realized there are many more fun things to do than sleep. If you think he's not falling asleep easily at night b/c he's not tired, then would suggest shortening his nap to 2 hours (wake him if you have to) and put him to bed at the same time every night. He's going to fight you about sleep until he realized he won't win. Don't give in and let him get up or not nap. If he won't sleep at nap time, then he can hang out in his crib for a while for downtime. It may take him a while to adjust to a shorter nap if you decide to go that route, but that may help him go to sleep easier. However, if he's crying b/c he doesn't want to go to sleep, then I would not suggest shortening his nap, he'll only be over tired and cry more at bedtime.

Around 22 months is when my daughter started shortening her naps, so that is why I suggested that. Other wise, stick to your routine, he's just testing you. Best of luck!

I tell my daughter that we if she doesn't want to sleep, she at least needs to have quiet time. Then I put her in her crib for 1.5 hours. If she is still awake, I get her up. Usually she goes to sleep. However, some days she doesn't, and I just give her an earlier bed time. Good luck!

Napping for 3 hours a day is a lot for that age... specifically 2 naps. I actually have never heard of a child that age that takes two naps. He may simply be getting too much sleep time. AND/OR he's going through a stage- could be because he suspects something's up while you get ready for baby #2... or it could be because kids will do anything that gets your attention! Routines are not a bad idea, but they only work at the right times.

Also, with the toddler bed idea- you need to be careful not to make any big changes in the home around the time baby arrives... It usually becomes too overwhelming for the older sibling and then ultimately becomes a problem. You wanna try to keep things familiar for him.

I also strongly suggest a twin bed when the time comes. A toddler bed only accommodates a child for a very short time.

We just transitioned my son (22 mos) into a toddler bed and he just loves it. We weren't having any particular sleep issues or issues with the crib, we just thought he'd love having a big boy bed. You might not rule out the change-of-scenery idea of putting him in a toddler bed to address his sleep issues. My husband put the bed together and then we had a big surprise reveal in his room. His reaction of surprise and delight was thankfully videotaped because it was precious. Another thought is that he is becoming more aware of the impending arrival of your new little one and he is having clinginess issues (pretty typical of a toddler overall but probably exacerbated by a new baby) which is causing him to resist bedtime and naptime (because it is time away from you). I would suggest upping up your one-on-one time with him (stories, cuddles, special play time) and continue with the routines before bed (does it include a story?). He will eventually go back to his old ways, even if it takes a few tears. You might also try introducing a special blanket, stuffed animal or a special nightlight, to make him feel more secure. I would suggest a book for you to read too called The Emotional Life of the Toddler by Alicia Lieberman. It offers some great insight into how toddlers minds work--especially about how they feel trapped/confused about being in between being a baby and a "big kid"--how they want/miss their mommy at the same time that they want to be independent and spread their wings.
Good luck!

My gut reaction is to say your timing is off. It was one of the most surprising aspects of my older daughter, but as she got older her timing of naps changed a lot, not how much sleep she needed.

In terms of naps, if he takes two naps, he might be ready for one. If he takes one, he might be ready for it to move later. In my case my 2 year old napped at noon, but by 3 years, she was nappuing at 2-3pm.

In terms of nighttime, sometimes if a kid is getting overtired, they need ot go down earlier for it to be a peaceful experience. But my guess would be he is too old for that??? He is also older now and very smart, and may be fighting you just because he can! So be disciplined wiht him :) He could be testing you. I think he may be getting in a bad habit of fighting you during the day and it's going over into the night routine. Keep the routine, adjust the timing earlier and later and see if that helps.

Also, very important, any chance he is in pain with teething or an ear infection? The only sign my girls ever showed with an ear infeciton is not wanting to lay down and sleep. No fever, no ear gunk, nothing. It would be a several nights of screaming, and finally me oging to the doctor, and then major guilt learning it was an ear infection. So be wary of that!

Hi

Could it just be that on the days when he is at home is not tired enough to want to nap , while at day care he is surrounded by other kids and they are busy busy busy so he is worn out. At alomost 2 yrs old I don't see what the problem is if he no longer naps during the day , as long as he is sleeping all night and going to bed at a decent hour (by decent I mean 7/7.30)then that is ok. My now 6yr old stopped sleeping during the day as soon as he turned 2 , he has always slept through the night and has 12 hrs everynight and he is just fine.

K.

That's what children do at this age. It doesn't mean they don't need a nap it's means they don't want one... But how many unpleseant things do they want.. At daycare there are alot of other kids taking them also. At home NO one but him. He thinks he's missing things. One thing i would do is tell him you take a nap too (or you rest). That might give him the idea he's not missing anything. But really you just have to force him to. It's for his own good and he won't know that for years. My daughter actually understands now at 6yrs old sometimes she needs a nap it makes her happier. Good luck

why dont you tell him he does not have to go to sleep just lay there. How long does he cry for...?