15-Month-old Plays During Naptime

Updated on January 20, 2009
M.H. asks from Lucasville, OH
4 answers

We try to keep our 15-month-old daughter on a predictable sleep schedule. She goes to bed around 7pm usually and sleeps for 11-12 hours. She then usually takes a nap lasting generally from 1-1 1/2 hours. I try to put her down consistently after lunch around 12:30 or 1:00 pm for her nap. Some days I put her in her crib and she goes right to sleep. Other days, she plays in the crib contently for a LONG period of time. That's what concerns us. I know we should probably feel blessed that she doesn't cry and just plays contently by herself in the crib. But, I can't help but think how unusual that must be. There are times (usually at least once or twice a week) that she'll lay in there and play for up to 2 HOURS (a few times even longer than 2 hours) before finally falling asleep. We leave her in there because (1) she's not crying and (2) we know she needs a nap and will fall asleep eventually. Are we wrong to leave her in there for that long? Is this normal behavior? Any ideas?

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J.T.

answers from Louisville on

M., congratulations and don't worry a bit! My son is 4 and only lays down for a nap when he is at daycare. As long as she is sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day, she'll be fine. Stay consistant so she knows, even if she stays awake, that time is rest time. I'm a very inconsistant parent, my husband reminds me often, and deal with alot of trouble from my older kids. Stay with it and you'll do fine. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job raising her! Just keep at it! Take care

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A.S.

answers from Omaha on

I think it sounds great. Someone else wrote in here a long time ago with the same thing. My 15 months old is at this exact momment doing the same thing! Although that is not normal for her.

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S.F.

answers from Charlotte on

Our oldest would have never done that... but our youngest absolutely is content just the same as you described! He never NEVER has cried to get out of bed!! Always just cooing as a baby... and as a 3yo, he just waits on us to come get him.

Count ur blessings!! Each child is different, and sounds like you have a rather content little girl who self soothes and that can be a good thing!!

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M.M.

answers from Nashville on

M..

One of the things I learned quickly with napping and bed time is timing is everything with children. You must pay close attention to their early signs of tiredness in order to catch that window of opportunity. Because if she moves through her window of tiredness and goes into that "second wind", it will buy her another hour or two of alert time before she re-enters her tired state. The good ol' rush of adrenaline.

Watch for these signs of fatigue; your baby may demonstrate one or more of these:

* decreasing activity
* quieting down
* losing interest in people and toys
* rubbing eyes
* looking "glazed"
* fussing
* yawning
* laying down
* asking for a pacifier or bottle or to nurse

Naps should occur immediately when you see one or two of the above signs. It sounds like most of the days you are placing her down for a nap at the right time and the other two days, she has hit the second wind.

The recommended guidelines for a baby that takes one nap a day, is early afternoon.

My son is 17 months old and we use the same routine everyday. Eat lunch and then take a nap. It usually runs between 12:30 pm -1pm, some days it is earlier, some days it is later. I just watch for the signs and go to his crib immediately. If he does not go to sleep, I place a blanket on the floor, tell him to grab his pillow and blanket, and it is time for nappy with mommy. Then, I lay down, say night night, and close my eyes. He usually is asleep within 10 minutes...

Hope this helps....

The only thing that concerns me about your little one being in the crib for two hours at this stage of development is this might be a control issue. Let's see how long I can stay awake before mommy makes me take a nap. The crib is a wonderful cozy and safe place for the little ones, but two hours makes a red flag go off. Could be wrong on this one, but I would try the above and see if anything changes over the next week.

Good luck!

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