My daughter turned one in May. I just returned back to work two days a week, and decided to put her into daycare for these days, so we can get some extra household money and she can get some socialization as well. (I did the same thing with my son when he was 1). Its only been 2 weeks, but she is having a very difficult time adjusting to their schedule. She is a good napper and still at one, she requires 2 naps a day, which are usually 9am and 3pm. The daycare does only 1 nap at 11:30am. By this time, she is very, very, very upset, crying, and very out of sorts. When she gets tired, she starts to fall, which she has numerous black and blue marks on her face and head because of falling there. She basically is very miserable. And I'm feeling very guilty putting her there and having her this miserable. I am currently trying to stretch out her morning nap , by increments of 30 minutes every 2 days to see if we can try to get her out of the morning nap, but so far not helping. I understand that they daycare needs to have everyone put on their schedule, but if a child needs to rest, then why can't they just rest?
Any suggestions on how we can cope with this change would be greatly appreciated..
****Updated:;;;;;;she is down to bed by 730pm, and usually will sleep at home until 8 am, but with me going to work, I have to get her ready by 7am, and this is throwing her off. She has been walking since 10 1/2 months, and she is placed in the "toddler room and is no longer considered an infant.
Thank you everyone for their thoughts. I took her out of daycare the next day, and that was it. I have found in home care for her, and since she is the social butterfly that my son was not, I do not fear that she will have any social adjustment issues. Thank you again, and when someone says that a mom knows best, it is the truth.
I have been providing care for 24 years. I believe it's the job of every caregiver to make it work for the child, not for them. She needs 2 naps and they need to provide her 2 naps. If they won't find her a place and a way to lay down in peace and quiet, then find another caregiver.
If I were you I would try to find a sitter to come into your house. It is a myth that children of that age need "socialization". What they need is stability and routine and lots of love and attention.
I believe it is the law that infants must rest when they are tired..
my daughter took 2 naps until she was 18 months.. she could not function without her naps.
if the day care can not accomadate her needs find a new place.. most day care keep the babies int he baby room until they are "defensively walking" 14-`15 months.. then they move to the toddler room with a more scheduled day..
My son was around 18 months when he dropped his morning nap. The daycare center he is in does not put them in the toddler room until 18 months so that they can have 2 naps in the infant room if they need them up until 18 months. I would look into a different center if they refuse to let her take 2 naps. She is too young to drop that morning nap.
Best of luck!
J.
A 1 yr old is not a toddler yet. The daycare needs to work around her schedule of naps. That many bruises would make me find someone or somewhere else to take her. Is it a day care center or in home daycare. When my little one was 1, our daycare lady napped her when she needed. The older kids were on a stricter nap schedule but you can't expect a 1 yr old to do the same. Good luck!
Go somewhere else!!! They can accommodate her nap schedule easily if they wanted to, even if it means putting her blanket in a quiet corner during those times.
And those bruises are some major warning signs as well that she is not being watched properly.
Probably the best alternative, would be to get a babysitter/Nanny, just for her.
Then she can have her usual naps/schedule.
She is 1, and still needs 2 naps. My son in fact, when he was that age, still napped 3 times a day sometimes.
She is not doing well with the one-size-fits-all 11:30 nap.
My kids, were the same way... but I am a SAHM..... and my kids naps are according to them.
So i can understand how you feel.
You know your child best.
I would, look for alternative child-care for your baby.... one that is more suitable.
I used to babysit... 2 kids plus my daughter at home.
I always, put the kids to nap, per that child's routine, just as they would have at home, and per the parents.
Yes, it is not easier... but for me at least, I believe that a child can nap when they need to and are used to and usually do.
all the best,
Susan
have you tried talking with the daycare and asking them if they can work with you on this for a few weeks til she is used to the schedule. Sometimes they will be more than happy to help you get through the begining adjustments. Also what time is she going to bed at night? Have you thought of maybe putting her down a little earlie so she is getting more sleep at night and maybe will be able to last a little longer at daycare and make it to the 11:30 nap. i do this with my two youngest they are 21/2 and 1 and I put them down at 7 at night and then they are up at 7 the next morning...nap time is at 11 or 11;30 for us. It has always worked for my boys. I know it's going to take a few days to a week or two maybe to get her use to the new schedule. You can't feel guilty about this. Your doing what is best for your family. She will get through it soon. Just give her a little time and make a few little changes like you are doing and ask the daycare to give you a hand for a bit and she should adjust soon. I dont know what time you put her down for bed but if you have any room to move it up try that. Do it when you have her at home with you for like two days and try not to give her the second nap so she is good and tired at night. I know it will be hard but at least this way she is at home in an enviroment that you can keep her a little safer so she wont fall so much and get hurt. Put her down then really tired and earlier than normal then the next day keep her up til 11:30, let her nap and then do the same thing that night no second nap. She needs the same schedule at home as she has at daycare, if the daycare s not willing to work with you and let her keep both naps. Either that or switch daycares. They usually let the infants have different schedules, but maybe not at the daycare that you are at. if they wont work with you and you cant find another daycare that you like better dont feel guilty just help her get through it at home with a mommy that will make sure shes alright. Good luck and know that it wont take you long if you do it at home with her a few days first....good luck I hope it works.
I would think about looking somewhere else. 1yr is awfully young to expect 1 nap a day. I used to be a director of a KinderCare and we kept the little ones in the baby room unil 18 months, where they were able to follow their own schedules. At 18 months they did move on to the toddler room where it was only 1 nap a day, but by then they were all pretty much on that schedule anyway. Good luck!
I don't know if it's possible, but maybe looking for another daycare that provides 2 naps for the younger children would be best. Most children as young as yours need 2 naps. she's not a toddler yet even though she's walking. Maybe some moms in your area can recommend another daycare for you. Good luck.
I agree with the other posts. You need to find a childcare provider who will work with you. If your child were going full time, she would probably adjust to the new schedule. But since she only goes two days a week, she should really be some where that works with her own individual schedule.
Try to find someone to come into your home to babysit that will follow your daughters schedule. I know this can be harder to find than a daycare, but so much better for your daughter. I have 4 girls and every one of them has had very different sleep/nap needs. The most important thing right now is your baby girl and keeping her safe. Good Luck!!
Honestly, I'd look for another provider. The beauty of a daycare setting is that it is "home" care, meaning each child is an individual and should be treated as such. How in the world do they put all of the kids to nap at 11:30 anyway? When do they eat lunch??
While I do agree that it's helpful for all the kids to be on the same nap schedule it helps if the nap schedule is reasonable. When I have little ones who are still morning nappers, I try to work with a schedule of 9am nap (usually a short one), and then 12:30 or 1pm- 3ish. For your daughter to go down for a second nap at 3 sounds too late in the day.
Also 2 days a week in care is a tough one, and it will take her much longer to adjust. In my experience, it's really hard for kids at this age to be in care for 2 full days. Is there any option for her to be in care more days a week but for a shorter period of time?
Best of luck!
I think one is a little young for the rigid class schedule for "all kids". We had the luxury of waiting until 3 to start daycare and my daughter would have had the same trouble you're talking about. I would ask them if they can let her nap earlier and if they cant' I'd seriously consider waiting a bit longer on daycare for her if it's not an absolute necessity. At one, you really don't want to deprive a baby's brain of sleep. If you have to let her start daycare now, all you can do is keep trying, but definitely discuss it with the daycare-do the babies nap earlier there? Could she go to their room for a bit for naps? Worth asking.
i own a daycare and the centers i have found out they do not do a one on one and my nap time is from 1-3 but the small ones that still require a morning get one and then get another one too. you need to tell the daycare she needs 2 naps a day and NO EXCEPTIONS or you will look else where.
