Toddler Nap Time

The only thing I've got is that if you have the time and patience to cuddle him to sleep, then instead of starting a habit you'll be back to ask how to break, observe him without cuddling. Sit just outside his doorway where you can't see him if he is in bed, but will see or hear if he gets out to play. When he gets out, put him back in bed and continue until he falls asleep.

I figured I couldn't make them sleep, but I could create an environment that encouraged them to sleep. So I told them to stay in their beds. They had a shelf full of books and some small toys that they could play with, but they had to be quiet. If they got out of bed, I gave them a lick or two of the switch. So, of course, they only got out of bed one or two times before they learned that Mom really meant what she said. My son napped through age 5, but my daughter stopped at age 3 :( . But quiet time is still really good for every member of the family.

I'm in the same boat with my 2 year old. If I leave him alone in bed, he'll wiggle for hours and never sleep. So, I rock him or else lay down by him until he's sleeping. May not be the advised method, but it beats a grouchy 2 year old anyday. Putting books in the bed helps, and keeping the room dim to make him sleepy. Dr. Sears' theory which I quote often "do whatever it takes to get the most people in the house the most sleep".

B.,

Use about 30 minutes for snuggle time on the couch or in a large chair/rocker. After this time of quiet, story, snuggle...etc., put child in bed. My son has this routine with me for naps only. His brother goes down quietly and 30 minutes later, he goes down with little to no fuss. It gets easier once a routine is established and maintained.

If you have to have him in his room, it is better that he is awake and quiet than noisy; make bedtime a bit earlier on the days he doesn't sleep.

Good luck and God Bless,

T.

Hi B.,

This is a very common occurence with toddlers, esp. once they have tasted the freedom of a bed. As I still nurse my son and we cosleep at night, I can tell you that naps are tough some days. He likes to nurse and may fall asleep on the couch or the bed in his room, but more often just wants to pop up from nursing and play. I might then go out for a walk and he'll nap in the stroller.

I've also nannied for lots of toddlers who needed help during nap/rest times, and here are some ideas that have worked.

Laying down together: I notice that you don't want to turn this into a habit, but it may be key for your son to get some sleep. This is very different from his not being able to fall asleep by himself; it's more about his having companionship and "not missing out" on what's going on out there with mom and sister. Some parents just choose to do the laying down on days that their child really seems tired and to give them some quiet time on other days when it seems less necessary.

Quiet Time- is just that. Sitting in one's room and playing and talking up a storm is still quiet time. Looking at books or books on tape is another thing that helped. The idea is that he needs to have some time of day with no interaction so that he can wind down and relax. Some little kids often start to drop their naps around this age, too, and quiet time gives us a much-needed break.Usually no more than 20 minutes before they wander out to find us!

Use a timer--Have him help to set a timer for Quiet Time in his room and then refer back to it if need be. "(He) can come out when the timer goes ding." (Checking in over a monitor can also help, so you can remove the timer if he falls asleep, thus ensuring it won't wake him up.) Practice using a timer at other times of day, and start with smaller stretches of time so that he *knows* it will eventually go off...five minutes can seem like a long time to a little person.

Have a rest time routine--you likely have an evening routine and rest time should be no different. Two or three stories and a few songs, some snuggle time are all ways that we help our children relax to rest.

Adjust his rest time--he may not be tired enough at his usual naptime. Consider moving it back enough for him to have played himself out. If he falls asleep after 3 or 4, a 20 minute catnap can be refreshing while not providing so much sleep that he stays up late. I've regularly woken children after 20 minutes at the parent's request and found that if we had about 20 minutes of stories or some other pleasant activity when they woke that we did fine.

And last of all:Count your blessings-- hey, at least he is staying in the room. That's pretty amazing at this age!

Just put him in his bed like you always have so knows you expect him to sleep. You can put books on his bed too. This is such a tough transition and hemay skip naps dfor a while. On the nights he hasn't napped toucan put him to bed early (my twins used to go to bed at 6:30 on those nights). He will be tired a lot during this time and he'll either start napping again or he'll adjust and things will be easier again!

Well, remind yourself that they go through a lot of "phases" and this might just be one, as he is transitioning to the toddler bed.
It also comes to mind, that if he has a big sister that does not take naps, maybe he is afraid he will miss out on something.
Though a nap is clearly beneficial to kids that age, some are just done napping... it happens.

Maybe you can change his nap-time sleeping arrangements (some of my sister's kids prefer napping on the couch) or his nap time. Some physical activities before nap time may help him go to sleep easier (playground, walk around the block).
For children who don't sleep you can set up quiet time instead, so they do get some rest. If he has trouble finding things to occupy him quietly, you can set up some activities he's allowed to do (puzzles, books, stuffed animals etc...).
Most importantly try to not get too upset about this. If you stress out about him napping it will only be counterproductive. Good luck.

I think you are right, B.-- this whole '''sleeping'' thing is really tough--- I had 3 easy sleepers ( my 3 biol. children) and helped raise my now 10 year old grandson- he was a really great sleeper - but I was petrified about changing him to a 'big boy' bed ( because I was afraid he would do exactly what your treasure is doing) --- so I said ''' you want door open???? - you want hall-light on???---( to which he said 'YES! - --I replied ''then sleep on big boy bed nicely- or door is closed'''' --- and that took care of it --- sigh--- ALL you need to do is find what the important deal is for him - but sometimes there is NO ''big deal'' you can find-- keeping my fingers crossed for you-
blessings,
J.- aka- Old Mom