Napping at Daycare

I don't know what center she's at, but I would expect that in the area where the cribs are, they should have the ability to dim the lights. I would talk with the center staff and see if maybe even moving her crib to another area would be good. Also, see if they play music to help drone out some of the background noise when the babies sleep. While they won't make drastic changes to suit her, many of the babies would benefit, I would imagine.

Otherwise, in time, she'll get used to it. If they're unwilling to make any kind of changes, maybe try to not make her room dark at naptime when she's home and keep some background noise going (not white noise machine, but television and phone conversations at a normal level.) It may take a while, but she'll adjust.

Hey Jenn,
That is a tough situation. I have a home daycare and run into the same problem when a new infant joins the ranks. Children will usually get used to the noise and activity going on around them, and finally sleep through it. She's only been there a week so give it some time, but for sure express your concern to the teacher. In my home I usually put the infant bed in my den-there isn't a door but it's at least not in the center of the hulabaloo. If you don't see improvement in her sleeping patterns at daycare then you may want to have a conference with the providers in the room. I also would suggest making her napping environment a "little" more like that of the center room by cutting out the white noise except for at night. It may be rough at first but it should help. Good luck!

Do they not have a scheduled nap time at all at the daycare? Before I had my kids I worked as director at a daycare and the room your child would have been in at least had a specific time set aside for a nap. Granted it wouldn't be the schedule your child is necessarily used to but it was something. Are you allowed to send items with your child? Does she have a snuggle item like a blankie or stuffed animal that reminds her of home? Also maybe the daycare would allow you to send one of those crib soothers (items to place in the crib that make music...you know some have fish or rainforest animals...or they even have stuffed animals that play lullabies). That might help calm her enough to drift off. I agree that with time your daughter will adjust but they should at least be making an effort to help the children towards that adjustment. good luck.

I wouldn't worry too much. My daughter did the same thing when she started daycare at six months old. After an adjustment period her naps got longer and more on a schedule. It's a big adjustment for her and you. Talk to the teachers in her room and try to set up a schedule at home on the weekends that mimics the one she has at school. It may take a while, but I'm sure she will start napping and tuning out all the noise around her.

I think she will probably adjust. If it doesn't get better, maybe check into a home daycare with a little more individualized attention, less kids, and more apt to cater to your child's individual needs. It may be a little more expensive, but may end up being worth it!