Naping Frustration

Hate to say it but she could be losing her nap. Both my kids did really early. And they both could have still used one but they refused to go down. When I was desperate for some quiet time I would take them on a 'snooze cruise" in the car and then drive through and get a coffee and sit in the parking lot with a magazine and read for a little while.

You should try just taking her in the bathroom with you and let her play on the floor in there while you shower.

Just persevere.
It is a phase.
At about 2 years old and at any cusp of an age change... kids get tweaks in their sleep and napping.

But they still need it.

Just keep to a daily routine.
If on days she refuses, have a quite time. Whatever manner you want it to be. But age appropriate.

Some kids that age, will nap on the floor. Both my kids went through that phase too at that age. Napping/sleeping on the floor, next to their bed.
My daughter would put all her blankets and stuffed animals on the floor, and then call it her 'nest' and she liked to nap/sleep that way.
Its not forever.
But she got sleep that way.
And then she was not a fussy grumpy over-tired Troll.

Also, make sure your girl gets plenty of runaround time in the MORNING. Physical stuff. Running around.
In the morning. To expel their pent up energy.
Then, have an early lunch, calm things down, wind-her down, verbally TELL her it is nap soon. And then get in that routine.
PREP her for naps, before it is the actual nap time. Otherwise, things get too rushed and stressed. And a kid can't nap or unwind when rushed.
As they get older, they need more time for winding-down, BEFORE the actual nap time or bedtime etc.

my daughter is two and will refuse to nap on certain days,. on the days she doesn't nap she still has to lay down for quiet time and try to sleep, or just relax in her bed until i tell her its time to come out of her room. usually an hour or so. as for showering, i try to shower during that time, but, i don't always get to. i do two things then, i either put on her favorite movie and go take a shower (leaving the door open so she can come in and go as she pleases) or i will keep her in the bathroom with me. i can't wait for my fiance to get home so i can shower. cause i want to be clean for him, lol. Good luck on the sleeping thing.

My son is 2 and has off days where he refuses to nap. Some days, he'll go for a week without taking a nap, and other weeks, he'll take a nap every day. One thing I did to help was putting him to bed later. He used to be asleep for the night at 7:30, now he goes to bed at 8:30. He averages apprx 12-13 hrs sleep within a 24 hr period. Also, dont forget to keep her active. The more active my child is, the more prone he is to take a nap. When stuck inside because of the weather, we do things like jump on the bed together, dance, or we put on a 'wiggles' dance dvd. Dont worry, your daughter will more likely nap again. :)

Hello, does she play outdoors enough to get tired? I know it's cold, but bundle her up and take her out to play for a while. I do that with my daughter and she naps for 1 1/2 hours. Maybe she ought to wake up earlier in the day so she can get tired by noon time. I purposely wake my kiddies up at 7:30 in the morning. I know it might be difficult for you, but it'll also allow you some rest time too by noon. In my opinion it is too soon for her to stop napping. I wish you luck...

http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/five-benefits-cosleeping/

I AM SO TOTALLY UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE THIS IS *EXACTLY WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH!*

you can't force her to nap though.

What works - sometimes - is turning off lights, closing all shades (and I have to darken the room on top of it!!!) and just snuggling with a book in the dark. Or making a nest and putting babies in it and making room for yourself and her (let's face it - naps for YOU are going to be few and far between unless you have a very supportive family! I don't!)

GEt the book or a book like it: Hello Baby. Make your own book, and include mention of nap times for baby, which at first will be 24/7, and then slowly letting up, then coming back and letting up, and then getting fewer.

Stress gentle touches. Get a doll for her. (even for a boy - a doll is a GREAT way for them to relate. I wish I had one for my boy - he's so physical with his brother because his brother LAUGHS when he pounds on him! AGH!) Visit friends with infants.

Naps are just one facet. Don't just focus on that!

It is GREAT that she is losing her comfort toy - it means you are most likely home all the time and she is feeling safer.

Oh and the shower thign? Get them while you can. if your hubby forgets to put it on his radar, it's going to feel like you are begging for a shower. (and don't forget to get non-stinky shampoos and soaps - your infant is not going to like perfumes! and better for him too!)

If she is hard to settle, chances are YOU are too wound up. Check your attitude and energy at the door. Caffeine also. Take acting lessons. ACT tired. Make a little spot to curl up. make a fort under the blankets. GEt into playing with your baby girl - you are not going to have time to do this AFTER the baby is born.

So much more - email if you're still interested! : )
M.

I agree wtih S H. that this is just a phase. Continue doing what you're doing and eventually she'll start napping again. My daughter went through phases where she wouldn't nap either but I could tell that she was tired. She's 4 1/2 now and although she won't sleep at preschool during the week she still naps at home on the weekends.

I was in your position when pregnant with my second (they are 34.5 months apart). I made him nap or stay in the crib/bed as much as I could. If he was awake still after an hour I would let him get up. I would do this with your daughter as well.

My son gave up the nap for good between 3 and 3.5. There was also a while when he refused to nap (and had a tantrurm if I tried) but would still fall asleep if he watched a video or was in the car and tired at nap time. Once he gave up the nap, bedtime moved about an hour to 1.5 hours earlier. Now my daughter is 26 months and may be almost ready to give up her nap. I let her nap and have to wake her up after about 90 minutes or she stays up late and struggles at bedtime.

I let my kids watch a kids show or dvd like Sesame Street and can usually get a shower then. Sometimes my little one comes in to play peekaboo with the shower curtain but mostly it works out fine. You might want to get your daughter used to this so it is one less thing to worry about when you have the baby.

I am not clear - you lay her down in her crib and... If she is content in her crib, then just let her be there for her quiet time for 2 hours. Children grow out of naps - though 20 months seems early. If she is quiet and content, don't even check on her and disrupt her. Maybe she'll fall asleep after an hour - and you'll get 3 hours of quiet instead of just 2! I kept the afternoon quiet time up until my youngest was 4. So, while the baby slept, the older one(s) stayed in their crib/on their bed. There is a bit of a struggle one has to deal with at first. But everyone needs an afternoon break and it's a great way for little ones to practice amusing themselves from a very young age - and loving books. Don't give anything electronic to keep them busy. You can take a shower while she is awake - she is safe and you need a shower!

I'd nap her earlier, maybe she is overtired by the time you put her down and she can't settle down. I don't think your post said anything about screaming, so if she is just resting or playing in her crib, continue putting her in there and have quiet hour. Use that time to do the things you would normally do.

I feel your pain. We ended naps around that time.