14 Month Old Naptime

Definitely let him play/talk to himself for a while! He'll let you know when he's really ready to get out. This is a great time for him to learn and try out new words and sounds.
I did this for my son and I think it's led to him being OK with being in his crib when he's not tired. If I put him down for a nap and he doesn't want to sleep, he'll lay there and quietly play or talk to himself.
It's also a good time to secretly video tape him and get some of that early babbling recorded for posterity!

If my son is calm and not upset I let him hang out in the crib. I think it's a quiet transition (I need time to wakeup!). I also think it's good for him learn some independence. Besides who knows what kind of beneficial development activity is going on in there?

As long as your child knows he can rely on you to come get him I don't think there is a reason to feel guilty.

-C.

For sure let him play for as long as he is happy doing it. Independent play is an important developmental process and this is a perfect time to let it happen. Unless my daughter is crying when she wakes up, I don't go in to get her until she's ready. She's 13 months.

That's wonderful! My son did the same thing and I am so glad I encouraged him to be comfortable alone. Now, at 4 years old he often wakes in the morning and looks at books alone in his bed. He comes out when he is ready to start his day. Embrace this behavior and consider yourself lucky!

I say let him play. You will know when he is done entertaining himself and starts looking for you. It is good for them to spend a little time entertaining themselves. As they get older you will be so glad that he has this skill.

Both of our boys did the same things so I always left them. Sometimes they'd go back to sleep & sometimes they'd wake up. So, I suggest you just leave him until he's calling to let you know he's ready to get up.

I think it's wonderful that he's learning to play by himself. Learning to be content with being alone is so important. Sounds like this is important and enjoyable time for him. And you get a bonus too!!

By all means let your baby play and jabber to himself. Both of my children did that and it was so cute hearing them have their little baby conversations with themselves. Being content like that is a sign of a happy baby.
I say, don't mess with success!
You definitely should not race to pick him up the second he wakes and you shouldn't feel a bit guilty about it either. He'll let you know when he's ready to be up and out.

Leave him! Not for hours, of course, but don't go rushing in the moment you hear a peep out of him! When he starts "complaining" then go get him, or if he is perfectly happy the whole time, then maybe... 20 mins?? 30m?? is a good long enough time to go get him.

I agree with the others. For some reason, when my son was learning how to talk he would make more and new sounds back in his room than he did when he was out. ? So who knows- it might be a very beneficial-a time for babies to practice or experiment undistracted or just muse about the day.

My daughter does the same thing. If she's happy and content playing/talking, I let her be. This gives me a little extra time to do other stuff. She will let me know when she's ready to come out. So I listen for her clues before she gets too upset. It's also good to let him learn to entertain himself. So, don't be so hard on yourself and let him enjoy his alone time while you get some extra time to yourself too. Take care.

If I could turn back time, I would have let my son babble away in his crib after waking up. I was always super quick to respond and now he insists on me coming the second he's awake. If I don't arrive quickly, he ramps up into a pretty panicked cry quickly and he's nearly 2. I think you'd be wise to "train" your little one to entertain himself until mommy's good and ready to go get him.

You should BOTH enjoy this quiet discovery time! He's learning, and you get a little bit of a break while he's awake. I used to love standing just outside his door listening to him talk & play.... Don't feel guilty!