Nap Time - Seattle, WA

my daughter did the same thing for a while. Try asking the day care center what methods they use for nap time and then try to simulate that at home. If they sleep on mats on the floor, you might want to try that, then to them, it's like they are at daycare. It worked for my daughter. Isn't it strange how children act different at school than when they are home?

I had the SAME problem with my son....he would NOT take a nap. I also tried staying with him until he fell asleep, rewards... I decided enough was enough...at the same time everyday I put him in his bed. If he got out, he was put right back in. the first day, it felt like I put him back in 50 times. He screamed and kicked and was ANGRY, but I gently put him back in. The key was to NOT talk to him except to say (very calmly) "you need to stay in bed." No eye contact either. I actually learned this from watching Nanny 911. I felt horrible the entire time, but after a couple of days he no longer cried and accepted the fact that he had to stay in bed. (the second and third day showed much progress..or I couldn't have continued) I also told him he didn't have to sleep, but just stay in bed. (of course, he did sleep but this gave him the control he needed...in his mind it was his option to not sleep) I think the key was that I didn't allow his emotion to rub off on me....stayed calm but firm...then went in the other room and became a nervous wreck :) He is three now, and doesn't take a nap---if he did, he would be up half the night---and is pleasant without one...but until he reached that point, I wasn't doing him any favors NOT making him...good luck to you. I understand the struggle, and you can succeed in this..

I suspect he naps at daycare because he's far more stimulated by all the other children and is likely, geniunely tired.

FWIW, my daughter gave up naps completely at 18 months. But she does got to bed at 7pm and sleeps till 8 am now.... so she makes up for it at night time.

Even if you can't make him nap, I'd encourage him to do quiet time in his room... just to relax and recharge a little.

Try napping with him, lay down on your bed or the couch and read books or listen to music and wben he starts to wiggle "cuddle" him a little tighter and remind him its quiet time, when he settles relax your "cuddle"

Try telling him that he dosen't have to take a nap but he needs to have quiet time in his bed. Let him look at books and read to his toys. Sometimes this is enough for them to just relax and go to sleep.

With my kids I pretend I'm taking a nap too and sometimes I do but If I don't I usually wait until at least they've been down for a half hour before I get up. That usually works. Or I just bring them to the park and let the run a muck right before nap time then take the LONG way home and they sleep in the car or I'll put on a movie and watch it with them till they fall asleep.
Good luck
A.

Hi nap time blues-
I have 2 children under 3 yrs old and I too have nap time blues from time to time.
Sometimes I give my children a special bath just before nap time (as I would at bedtime). This helps us on occasion.
I also let my child start a movie and then allow then to complete it upon the completion of their nap.
I wish you good luck.
A. R.

I just bought THE NEW CRY SLEEP SOLUTION for my 3 1/2 month old. I'm told that there is one for TODDLERS as well.

J.

Some of it might be because the routine at daycare and at home are different. You could try to keep your routine as close to the daycare's as possible, or ask them to stay to one that you prefer, and see if that helps any.

Will he fall asleep in the car? Even if you have to leave him there and let him sleep for an hour it would help! (Just make sure you stay close by and watch him the whole time!) I do that sometimes and if I wait about 15 minutes after he's asleep I can move my son to his bed. Also, ask the daycare provider what they are doing as a routine and then try to follow that. You might try putting him down earlier than normal too, because after a week of daycare most kids are super tired and need an even longer nap than normal. Good luck--it's worth the effort and you need the break too!!

Hi S.,
Hey read my response to Jessica, it may help. I did leave out that when I'm laying with him, I close my eyes until he is drifting off, it really works!

I had this same problem with my 2yr old. At first I just let her miss her naps and she would go to bed earlier. But after a few weeks I wanted my quiet time back during the day and so I started placing her in bed and just leaving the room. Sometimes she would just play on the bed and other times she would scream until I would lay down with her. It took a few weeks of laying down with her for her to actully take the naps. Have you tried taking him for a car ride, even just around the block? If he is tired enough the car ride will put him to sleep and you should be able to move him from the car seat to the bed.

Make sure you wear him out with morning activities. My 2 1/2 year old is hitting this stage as well. He can make it all day without a nap, but every time he goes without he has problems sleeping at night. Which leads me to believe he is still needing naps. So I try very hard to make sure he gets lots of activity in the morning. Whenever possible I take him to the park to play. The fresh air is great, and it's a sure way to wear him out.

Wear that 22 month old out take him to the park and if you don't make it a big issue maybe just maybe he'll fall asleep. Just think of yourself if you weren't tired (mothers are always tired) could you just fall asleep? I just wrote to another mom almost about the same issue just let it be.