Naptime for My 2 Year Old

Have you tried laying down with her until she goes to sleep? Or having her take a nap on the couch so that she knows you are watching her? These are a couple of things that people I know have tried. If she's tired and you're with her where she can't get up without instantly getting in trouble then she should eventually fall asleep.

Depending on how desperate you are, my brother would take his little girl for a car ride. She would fall asleep in no time at all! Hope you find the solution!!!!!!!!! V.

How about having her sleep on a pad on the floor. Lay with her for 2 minutes & say if she stays on the pad & rests you will reward her after. OR how about let her sleep on the couch but not in the room where you are. She must stay on the sleeping area for a sticker & at the end of the week if get 3 or 4 stickers (you decide) she will get a treat. My grandchildren use a sound machine on Ocean & it really works (most of the time)

Hi S.,

Okay, I'm going thru the same thing right now. I have an almost two and a half year old son who is very headstrong. In fact his mothers day out program told me on Wed. that I had to start picking him up two hours early at 1 instead of 3 because he refuses to nap and is keeping the other kids awake because he won't stay on his mat. So here's what I've done and so far it's working like a charm... I went out and bought a mat like the ones they use at MDO (he's still in a crib at home) and lay him on the mat only during nap time. I bring over lots of things on the mat - two blankets, sheet, water sippy cup, two stuffed animals. If he gets off the mat, I take one thing away, then next time off mat, another thing, until finally he's just laying on the vinyl mat. If he stays on the entire time on the mat, then he gets a chocolate kiss when naptime is over. I explain all of this every day before we go in for naptime. I read him two books before, rub his back on the mat for a minute, then sit quietly in the corner of the room to make sure he doesn't get off the mat. So far we're on day three and he hasn't gotten off the mat once. When he wakes up, first thing he asks for is his chocolate kiss. But, it's taking him on average about one hour to go to sleep. Which might be an issue for you to stay in there with your 2 year old since you also have an infant. Try this on the weekend if you can when perhaps your husband can watch the baby while you start it. Then after a couple days maybe your toddler won't need you in the room during naptime. Lastly, I'll tell you that my son decided he was going to boycott naps around Thanksgiving - he went an entire month without taking a nap once, just cried in his crib for two and a half hours every day till I finally took him out. It was a phase though and now he does take a nap (almost) every day. GOod luck with this and hope it helps!!!

i would just lay with her until she fell asleep. if she is that tired it shouldn't take long

Hopefully I have a helping solution. We have seen this in our daughter's day care work so many times, she amazed me.
She would talk to the non-napper and say because everyone must lay down for rest time you don't have to go to sleep. You can look at a book, but you must not get up or talk or the other children will want to also.
95% of the time, after told they DO NOT HAVE TO SLEEP, they look at their book for very few minutes and fall sound asleep. Day after day they continue to be allowed to look at a book and day after day they slept! She was great and since her children are now grown, she sold out her day care to be a school counselor. Happy Napping, Blessing from a grandmother

Oh gosh! Poop on the walls...what fun I have to look forward to. I have a 9 month old son who already hates to take his naps!

My husband had a daughter before I met him. I've been in the little girl's life ever since she was 1 years old. She never wanted her naps either at that age. Basically, how we delt with it is to just let her do her thing and she'd fall asleep playing in the middle of the living room floor or on the couch with her dolls.

My mother always told me that the reason my son doesn't nap is because I never napped. And it must be payback! :) Maybe you can find some sort of downtime with her to help her rest a little so she doesn't get in crabby moods. Reading books or listening to soft music. If the weather is okay where you live, maybe a stroller walk will do the trick. This way you can squeeze in extra exercise, too. I also heard that if you show a child their hands to play with they will settle down and possibly fall asleep.

Do you think she would be more prone to taking a nap if she had a special nap place, like a bean bag or small fold out children's couch?

My grandma ran a daycare and we had a good schedule of: Clean up toys and put them all away where they belong, Eat Lunch, wash up and go to the bathroom, take a nap. A lot of times naps consisted of just laying there quietly.

I have 2 girls (7 and 5) and from about the age of 2-3 began having the same issue you're having. I started telling them this was "rest time." Regardless of whether or not they went to sleep, they're bodies still needed a little rest from all the play and noises of the day. It still works to this day and, if they're really tired, they do indeed fall asleep because of the quiet. If not, then it lasts about 30 minutes and their bodies are still rejuvenated.

MY son started doing thi sabout the same age. We did the not forcing to take a nap but we would have quiet time together doing quiet things. Like looking at books, etc. The jist was you don't have to take a nap but your going to take a rest. Half the time he ends up falling asleep. Try not doing stimulating activities or even moving naptime back anhour or so.

Tell her she is a big girl now and does not have to sleep but must stay on her bed for a while. Then lay beside her and read her fav book or two to her. Changes or good she will found a sleep.

Hello S.,
Do not be discouraged, and be patient...It is a phase because at this age they get more independent. My baby is 22 mo old, and he does not want to take a nap either. But I stick to it. Children behave better and are more relaxed if they nap. It is very important. It is easy to give up to their wants..but don't please! Try to put her in her crib at the same time everyday. I do that even if I have to sacrifice other activities, just to make my baby have a nap, at least an hour (but he sleeps 2 hrs an a half every single day at noon). At the beginning do not let her by herself, so she cannot do what she is doing; stay with her, it is not the best tip, but it works. Stay with her, and put some musical toy, or find another place, may be she does not like to nap in her crib or bed, try your bed and put some pillows to protect her, be there with her and you will see she will fall asleep, because she is tired. The more she is tired the more she will resist to her nap because she is overtired. Help her with all your patience, for now be with her, take a blanket or a stuffed animal..My baby only likes burp clothes! (clean of course...I have a ton for him) Try dim lights or dark room, check she is dry and clean. I know is hard, I really do, but I do it. I put my baby in his crib (I will move him at 2 to a toddler bed), and I know he will cry and will be very upset, but I stay with him with his musical toy, and I close my eyes, and I just let him cry..at 10 min. he will fall asleep. Just try.
Good Luck!

Hi S.,
When this happened at our house, I'd but a blanket on the floor (or bed), lie down with the children on both sides, and read them stories until they fell asleep. I'd then either join them for a nap, or sneak away & get something done. I'm now a grandmather of a 4 Mo. old boy and hope to do this again sometime!
Best wishes, God be with you.
C.

Hello,I feel your pain my son was 21/2 when nap time came an issue every now and then he'd fall asleep he wasn't really ever grouchy or out of control it was for my own sake to get a nap in,now he's 4 no naps at all completely stopped at age 3.WE have down time were the tv is off he is sent to his room music on shut the door and play with his toy's look's at book's while mom is on the couch making a phone call or reading a magazine this will last any where from 10-30 min.But it doesn't happen everyday.Sahm for 41/2 yrs. of 2 kiddo's son 4 daughter 1.tip read in a magazine kid's don't need to take a nap after age 3 as long as they get the recommended amount of sleep each nite I put my son down as early 7:45 no later than 9,sometimes later can't be helped wakes at 8 now

Hi S., I had this same issue with my 2 year old daughter. She no longer wanted to take naps. But like you said she'd be very cranky later in the day without the nap. So I just started telling her it was quite time. I'd make her go in her bed and just read books. If after 40 mintues she still wasn't asleep I'll let her get up. But 98% of the time she ends up falling asleep.

Now my daughter is pretty good about staying in her bed. But she also loves to read books. If the book reading doesn't work for your daughter maybe just allow her to have two toys of her choice in her bed with her. If she keeps getting out you'll have to be persistant and keep putting her back in bed. I'd just tell her the more she gets out the longer she'll have to stay in bed. It will probably take some time but she'll evently learn that your serious and that your not going to give in. I almost guarantee once you get her to stay in bed she will more than likely end up falling asleep.

Good Luck,
L.

I ran into the same thing with my now 8 year old when he was about 18 months. He just refused to nap and would do everything instead of napping. He would tear apart his room, rip everything off his toddler bed (because of course, at this age, he was already JUMPING out of his crib so he had to be in a toddler bed) and stand it up against the wall. Then he'd use it as a ladder and jump onto the mattress and blankets below. He broke 2 toddler beds this way. I got some advice once to read to him until he fell asleep. So I would spend about an hour reading 100 children's books until he fell asleep - this worked twice. I was told to pretend to fall asleep in the same room, just on the floor - that the rhythm of my breathing would lull him to sleep. Instead, he thought it was "play with Mommy" time and just jumped on me and tried to play. I tried everything I could think of to get him to sleep - cut out every bit of refined sugar from his diet, changed his lunch schedule to eat after nap, took him on a brisk walk before naptime. I knew he was tired, but the more upset I got, the more aggitated and "out of control" he became. So, I tried another approach entirely. I stopped the using the word "nap" and started calling it "quiet time." I told him he didn't have to take a nap, he just had to spend some time in his room being quiet. I took all of the "noise toys" out of his room and would give him a stack of books. I got a small tv and vcr and hooked it up in his room and put on QUIET cartoons like Little Bear or Franklin. Once he didn't feel FORCED to sleep, he began to relax. He didn't always fall asleep, but he did get rest. And he didn't relax and spend the quiet time being quiet EVERY time - but definitely more often than not.

It could be that she's growing out of the nap-time thing. I know she's still tired, but that "rest" will do wonders for her, too. She's going to rebel and fight the nap as much as she can, but if you take that element out of the equasion, you create a special time just for her to be quiet and have some peace - for both of you!

By the way...my son was later diagnosed with severe hyper activity disorder. We see a behavior specialist and he said that his behavior even then was a clue as to the difficulties we would encounter later. Not to scare you, just something to keep your eye on.

Good luck and happy quiet time!

My step-daughter had the EXACT same problem when she was two! (Even the poo-smearing thing YUK) She adored attention of any kind and we found using the reward system worked really well for her. We told her if she layed down and was really quiet for 20 minutes she'd get a sticker. If she actually layed down she always drifted off to sleep and when she woke up she would get the sticker and we would mark the calander. At the end of the week we'd count the marks together and if she had enough she'd get a treat - usually candy or cake but if she was especially good about it she'd get a new toy. Eventually she outgrew it (although she still loves attention of any kind). She was smart enough to understand the reward system (especially since she got a sticker and didn't have to wait a whole week for some kind of reward) and it helped to teach her counting as well.

Why don't you try patting her back to go to sleep...

I had the same problem with my daughter who is now 3. She has been on strike from her naps since a few months after her 2nd birthday. I struggled with her and after talking to her pediatrician and several of my friends we came up with 'quiet time' in her room. She gets to go to her room and play quietly for the same amount of time as she would have napped. On the days she fights me (which is rare), I tell her she doesn't have to sleep if she doesn't want to. Every once and a while, she actually does fall asleep. She is a great night-time sleeper, getting 12 - 13 hours per night, and she is very easy to get to sleep!

I AM NOT IN YOUR SITUATION AS FAR AS THE STEP CHILDREN BUT i DO HAVE 3 LITTLE ONES (6,4 AND 2). TO ANSWER YOUR NAP QUESTION, I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I PUT THEM TO BED - NAP OR NIGHT-TIME - IT IS EASIER IF I GET THEM DOWN BEFORE THEY START ACTING TIRED. IF YOU WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE OVER-TIRED YOU'LL JUST HAVE A STRUGGLE. I KNOW IT ISN'T EASY BEACAUSE WHEN IT GETS TO BEDTIME I AM READY TO GET BUSY WITH MY OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES AND DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH CHILDREN NOT INTERESTED IN SLEEP! sO START JUST A LITTLE EARLIER BEFORE SHE BEGINS TO ACT TIRED - LET HER KNOW IT IS ALMOST TIME FOR BED, READ A BOOK, SING A SONG AND LAY HER DOWN IN THE NORMAL ROUTINE. SOMETIMES LETTING THEM KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP ALSO HELPS. TELL HER TO JUST LAY DOWN AND REST - SHE CAN EVEN LOOK AT SOME BOOKS BUT SHE JUST HAS TO REST. WHEN THE PRESSURE IS OFF SHE'LL PROBABLY BE MORE INCLINED TO SLEEP.

My daughter is 3 and doesn't like to take a nap. But she will lay in bed and watch a movie or look at books. We have "quiet time" now, not nap time. She stays in bed quietly while looking at books, playing with barbies or watching t.v. Usually if she is genuinely tired, she's out in 15 minutes!

I am going through the same thing with my 2 1/2 yr old daughter! She has been going to bed by herself since she was about 6 months old! Since this started, I have been having to rock her to sleep like a baby again. That's if I can get her to let me rock her! She is starting to do better at night now, but nap time is still a struggle. I took all toys out of her room, and that seems to help also.

My son did this also, Here is what I did and it worked for me. 1st off you are right, you can not make them go to sleep. I sat my son down and said that Mommy needs some quite time, Told him that he doesn't have to go to sleep but he needed to stay in his room on his bed. I gave him a couple of toys and then walk out and close the door. If he played quite I never knew it cuz 9 times out of 10 he was asleep. You will have to pick your battles and I think this one is a tough one. I also make him go to bed early if he didn't get a nap in. He liked that worse then taking a nap. Good Luck

Sorry your going thru this, I go thru it from time to time that my son dont want to take naps and I know he is tired and needs one. I tell him no snacks or watching anything until he naps. A little bribery goes along way. My son wanted to go out and play in the snow, I said you need to nap first then we can go play in the snow, he did finally lay down and nap. I never pushed the issue of my son being in his crib/bed to nap as long as he naps, he can stay napping where he falls asleep. He naps better when napping on the couch.

Not sure if any of this will work with your daughter.

Good Luck

If she was an area or a crib that she could not climb out of she would eventually fall asleep. Have you tried taking the toys out of her room, closing her room with a gate? Ive heard of the poop painting thing before from others and I know its unsettling but its just a stage. You could try a sticker chart with her favorite stickers on the frig if she stays in her bed and closes her eyes. Good luck and God Bless..

Keeping your child on a schedule is so VERY important. For example, if your child normally takes a nap at 12:00 and you try to lay her down at 11:00, it won't work. If you try to lay her down at 1:00, that won't work either. Also, you have to be firm with her. At 2 1/2, she is old enough, to understand commands, such as "Stay in your bed", or you could take away a favorite toy if she gets up, etc.... I am a firm believer in naps. We have a "naptime" at our house. My 4 year old does not always need to take a nap, but she knows that she has to stay in her bed and either sleep or play quietly from 12:00 - 2:00. This gives her a time to rest, and sets the example for her brother (16 months) that we HAVE to take a nap!! Hope this helps!!!