my 12 month old daughter is a big ball of excitement and exploration. that said, she doesn't like to lay down for naps anymore. we've always had the same routine for naps and bedtime. we read a story, i sing her a song and then lay her down. even if she wasn't asleep after the song, she still went to sleep on her own in her crib. she still does at bedtime, but recently, during nap time, if she's not asleep when i lay her down she'll scream. i've tried letting her cry for a little bit and then calming her down and laying her back down, but that just prolongs the nap time routine until it's time for lunch or dinner. i miss being able to lay her down and have her fall asleep on her own, because i worry that if someone is sitting for us, they won't be able to get her to sleep. please help!
I think this must just be a phase, because my daughter, who is almost 15 months, just went through this too. But now, she's back on schedule and doing great. She was down to one nap a day, which she wouldn't take until she was just purely exhausted at about 5pm!
I just kept laying her down at her normal time everyday, and made sure that her tummy was full. Eventually, she just gave in and started sleeping again.
I agree with the other moms to continue to lay her down at the same time every day, even if she cries. And let her cry it out. If you go in to calm her down, it will just start all over again (as you've already realized). My 18 month old son occasionally won't take a nap, but I just leave him in his crib b/c it's rest time. He'll cry for a little bit, then either cry himself to sleep or give up and start playing quietly in his bed. If she's crying for an hour, then chances are she won't go to sleep, so you should get her at that point. She'll probably grow out of this soon as long as you stay persistant. Good luck!
after reading several other moms responces I do argree that you should stick to your routine best you can and let her cry it out or else she will figure out what to do to make you come back in and get her. However another turn of ideas is to make sure there isn't something else bothering her like teeth. Molars can be a pretty difficult thing. My son is 16mo and only has the 4 top and bottom middle teeth. We have been battling teeth forever, but he always goes through the non sleeping pattern when I notice his gums getting really swollen. Plus at that age they go through a seperation issue. I have learned to keep with my routine for my son and that way he knows that he will be going to bed everyday at the same time and most days he lays in his bed and talks for a few mins then gets quiet and falls asleep other days I've had to go in and give him a teething tablet and not pick him up but just cover him with his blanket and restart his music and walk out. Good luck.
Is she taking one or two naps? If she is taking two, it may be time to go to just one. My first had two until 18 months, but my second gave up two right after his first birthday. He now sleeps form 12:30-2:30. At first, he was so sleepy he would go to sleep by 11:00 and some days he still wanted two naps depending on when he awakened that morning. After about 6 weeks, he grew used to the one nap and have been in a good routine ever since. If a child is tired, they will go to sleep even if they cry for a few minutes at first. Good luck!!
This may not be a popular response, but I would suggest that you lay her down and leave and let her cry. Give her an hour. If she doesn't sleep fine, but she should expect that every day you will be laying her down at naptime and you will not be back until it is time to get up. I have had this expectation of my son since he was around 4 months old and he is an excellent sleeper. If he wakes up early (or chooses not to nap) he will quietly play in his crib until I come to get him. No fits at all. Anyone can lay him down. He goes to bed at 7:30 and gets up at 8:00. Then he naps from 12:00-2:00 or 3:00. I think that at her age, she is old enough to manipulate you, and of course, having you come back in to her room is her goal.
I highly recommend the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
