Do You Still Nap When Your Baby Naps?

I have an almost three year old and cannot nap on the weekdays because I work full time, but let me tell you I cannot wait to be able to lay down and rest when she does on the weekends! I don't know what I am going to do when she gives her naps up......

i sometimes nap when my twins nap around 1 pm for just like 45 min because somedays you are more tired than others usually when both kids are sick they are 1 year but if you need it is ok to take a nap.the first year usually you get more tired because of the night wake,so relax and enjoy being home with your kid.

To nap or not to nap is not your biggest problem. Your 6 month old still waking 4 times a night is what you need to work on to get better rest for yourself (and in turn being an overall healthier person because of it.) With a good night's sleep for yourself, you won't need to nap during the day because you won't be dragging all day long.

Read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer -- start with jumping to the chapter in the back called "accidental parenting". It changed my life. Unfortunataley, I didn't discover this book until baby #3, so now I spread the word to as many tired moms as I can!!

A 6 month old does NOT need to eat 4 times during the night and is just waking out of habit and feels the need to use you (nursing, bottle, rocking, etc) to help him/her fall back to sleep. This book will teach you a very, very loving and humane way to teach your baby to sleep well.

Hi R.,

It's completely normal to feel tired with a baby at home, not seeping through the night!
One thing thing that is important (both for successful nursing and to fight fatigue) is to drink. Very often, when I do feel tired, a glass of water helps me feel better.
Also try power foods/snacks such as dry fruits (almonds, nuts, raisins, prunes) and fruits when you feel tired. It will give you an immediate boost of energy.
Otherwise, enjoy having only one and being able to nap when she naps. Don't feel bad about it. A well rested mom is a fun mom for baby!

R., my youngest is 4 years old and I still sometimes need a nap in the afternoon. So when she naps and I am tired I also lay down to nap. Sometimes I just need to rest, other times I actually fall asleep. There are times that I want to nap because I am tired but need to keep moving so I just work through it or try a brisk yet short aerobic workout to get the juices flowing. If i am still tired.... I rest.
Men i think do not require as much sleep and even if your husband is woke up at night he probably isn't actually getting up to nurse or change diaper and get the baby back to bed. Your body is also still going through alot of changes after being pregnant and having the baby, caring for the baby,etc. It is normal to be tired. Exercise and a good, healthy diet will help but i say if your tired, its ok to nap. Eventually the need will get less and less and you may only need to nap every few days or once a week, maybe less.
Also I have alot of winter time fatique so I asked my doctor about it... she said it is probably from a lack of the sun so therefore a lack of Vitamin D. I started taking a vitamin D supplement and it helps.... not that I am never tired anymore but not as frequently. You may want to talk to your doctor about that as well. Don't do anything without talking to your doctor especially if you are nursing.
Hope this helps :) Take heart... most moms are tired even after their kids are sleeping soundly through the night!

I don't know if you're nursing or not, but I did find that I was extremely tired while nursing still. Once my daughter stopped nursing, I got much more of my energy back. I say, take advantage of some of that down time by getting a little exercise and maybe a cat nap. :)

Hi R.,

I have a four year old, two year old and am pregnant with #3. When my kids nap I take some me time and I do this everyday. I do whatever I want during that time, shower, nap, read, watch a movie, walk on the treadmill... I could not function without that time. It really helps me to refocus and be the best momma I can when my kids are up. I pickup the house during breakfast and lunch and fold laundry at night after the kids are in bed.
You definately need to take some time for you and if you need to rest than there is no better time to do it than while your little one is napping.
Don't compare yourself to your hubby. He is not taking care of your baby all day and therefore does not have the physical and emotional stress of taking care of someone. I assume he works and am sure he is tired but let's face it, he is not as vested in his job or co workers as you are to yours!

Your doing great and yes I'm pretty sure you'll be tired for a looong time!

Quite honestly, you may wish to cut out some of the napping during the day because it may be interfering with your body's ability to get into the deep, restorative sleep cycling you need at night.

I have a 4 & 2 yr old. I nap everyday!!