I am, at this very moment, trying (unsuccessfully) to let my 2 yr old cry it out at nap time. My son has always been a great sleeper. He goes to daycare M-F and naps about 2 hrs a day there. He would often nap for 3 hrs on weekends. He has been pacifier-free at daycare for 5 months, but we let him have it at home for sleeping. A month ago we took away the paci at night and his sleep has been all messed up. (Not sure it was the just the paci that messed up his sleep... he got 2 molars and seems to be having nightmares.) In the last month he has not once napped in his crib. He gets so worked up we have resorted to driving him around until he falls asleep in the car seat. I decided today was the day I get us back on track with naps, but crying like this is hard to take. We never had to use CIO method before. How long should I let him cry to take a 2 hr nap? It's been 45 minutes already. (Hmmm, he may be setting down just now, so perhaps I've answered my own question.)
I had the same problem. Someone suggested to me that i give her a book to read in the crib. It is a quiet activity that won't leave her freaked out if she can't fall asleep right away. Some days she ends up being awake the whole time, but it is still relaxing down time that we both need. If she is tired enough, she falls asleep regardless of the book.... which is the main reason I want to keep giving her the opportunity to nap.
Have you tried doing the same routine at home that they do at daycare. I know a lot of daycares will play music, pull down the shades, tell a story, to prepare the kids for nap time. Talk to his teacher and try that same routine at home. Also, your two year old may just want mommy time if he's not seeing you a lot during the week. Try saying something like, "I know you'd rather play with mommy than take a rest, but your body neeps to rest." Or something along those lines. In my opinion 2 is a little old for the CIO, rationalizing and just talking about the situation works a lot better. Good Luck!
Hi There,
Now that he is getting older, he could be starting to realize that he might be missing out on fun during nap time... so he could be testing you. At daycare, all of the other kids are going to sleep too, so it is just part of the routine. Alos, my son who is 21 mos., takes noticeably shorter naps on days that he hasn't had an opportunity to be physically active, get fresh air etc. At daycare, your son is busy playing, interacting with other kids and dealing with a lot of stimulus, so he is tired at nap time. Not sure what your weekends are like, but maybe try to keep him physically active in the morning. I know we often do errands as a family on Sat. mornings, but my son would be in the stroller, not moving... now we make sure to do more active things and it helps him sleep better.
My twins nap EVERY day at preschool. And when they are off from school for holidays, my nanny gets them to take a two hour nap. But when I am home with them on the weekend, it is SUCH a power struggle to get them to nap. One of my twins really needs a nap or he is so cranky. But he just won't take it when I'm there. Not sure if he feels like he'd be missing out on "mom time" or if he thinks I'm a pushover. But it just happens....
I would give back the paci for sleeping at home. According to Harvey Karp - the guy that wrote "the happiest baby on the block" kids feel comfort with sucking up to age 5. Since your son only had the paci at naps and night; I think it is fine. My son is also 2 y/o and uses a paci ONLY for naps and bedtime. It is his "lovey". He does not always have it in his mouth, sometimes he just likes to hold it. If it gives ur child comfort and lets you sleep- go ahead. Sleep is very important for us mommies!
Just wondering, why are you so set on having him nap on weekends? Is it so that you can have time to yourself? or because he needs it? maybe he doesn't always need to sleep during the day and can go to bed earlier instead. My girl is 18 months and, although usually I can get her to nap in the afternoon, sometimes she just doesn't want to fall asleep. I don't force it. I pick her up from her crib, bring her downstairs and let her play. She will usually be in bed an hour earlier on those days.
Hi, I am a SAHM and my 22MO is VERY attached to me. I tried the CIO method a few times since she was an infant and I have a very low tolerance. I was still nursing up until a few weeks ago which was directly related to her falling asleep on her own b/c she was used to nursing to sleep. She would cry up to 45min and get progressively flustered instead of calming down (hives) and would wake in the night and be restless. So, I got the idea to try reading a book while she sat in her bed. Over a few nights that helped with the anxiety about even getting in the crib. But she would still get upset when I left the room. So then I told her I would stay in the room until she fell asleep. Worked like a charm! I wait until I know she is tired. I put her in the crib and then I sit in the rocking chair next to her crib and with 5-15 she falls asleep. The 1st few times she kept sitting up to see if I was asleep but sleep is no longer a dreaded task. This works for her naps too. But I was letting her sleep as long as she wanted before and know I wake her up after an hour so she won't want to stay up too late. I hope this helps.
