Napping Issues!!!

My daughter does the same thing. I think she is afraid she will miss something if she sleeps. Some days on the weekend she doesn't nap at all. I still leave her in her crib and she plays with her baby. It gives me a little break, but it also lets her know that I am not going to let her get right up and play.

both at daycare and childcare, there are lots of other children around and lots of stimuli -- don't you sleep better when you've had a busy day? I know I do .... let me mow the lawn or hike for six miles. I can even sleep through my husband's snoring!

It sounds to me like she needs more time with you. In my experience if they don't get the necessary bonding time with Mom, they will be miserable until they do get it. Do you take the time to hold and rock or snuggle with her before she settles down? She is still a baby. If you are anxious about wondering if she'll take a nap, you can be sure she won't. Kids are like barometers. They sense every anxiety or stress you have and it magnifies in them. What can you possibly have to do that is more important than spending time with your child, especially if you work all week. If you're worried about housework, I'll refer you to Flylady.net. There is a way to work in everything and still have time for yourself and enjoy your home. And, remember, although she is still a baby now, she's growing up and will not take naps forever, so you need to prepare your life for that time and put good habits into place now.
Blessings to your family. An Alabama Gramma

Hello! How are u ? I wouldn't let my daughter take long naps, this will badly interfere with her sleeping at night. I'm sure u put her down at an hour, 1-1/2 hr. Nap is long enough. Especially if it's a late nap. Some let them nap tooooo long at the daycare, so they won't have to run behind them, so they will let them sleep as long as they can. Good luck...

ask the person that watches her during the week if she has music playing or not. they play music at my babys daycare it might be the quiet and she needs some noise.

What time is she going to bed??
What are you feeding her? Apples, apple juice, and apple sauce will all give a child (or you) more energy than a cup of coffee. (Or are you giving her lots of sugar??) Something to think about.

Also, how do you put her to bed?? Is there a regular routine?
Do you look her in the eyes when you speak to her? Are you perhaps asking instead of kindly but firmly telling? Is there something to her routine elsewhere that't not taking place at home??

As for the actual length of time she sleeps: They do go through phases where they don't sleep as much. During growth spurts, they will sleep long periods, and when they're not growing as much, they will sleep shorter periods of time.

A last thought--she may simply be wanting to be with you more. My oldest child (now 17) had to be in daycare, and she was always very needy and afraid I was going to leave her. On wknds, she would wake up very early just because she wanted to see me as much as possible. She nay not be able to articulate that to you or herself, but that may well be the case.
Just love on her lots and set firm boundaries and loving discipline to make her feel safe. She will be grown and gone before you know it,and you will MISS THIS!! Believe it or not!

Blessings,
H.

One thing I would do first is ask the sitters, do they have noise during naptime, music, t.v., or is it really quiet. Ask how she sleeps, in a playpen, on the floor, etc. This may all make a difference, the setting. Ask how they put her down, do they rock at all, does she lay down and watch a movie till she settles down, do they turn the t.v. off, etc. All of this will make a difference.

I know with my children (ages 2 and three) they have to settle down first. They watch a soothing quiet movie for about 15 minutes to a half and hour in their beds. Then I go in, tell them night-night, give kisses, and they go to sleep.
It took a little while for me to figure out that they had to settle down before. But now, night time is such an easy thing. It does take time, but once you get a routine, don't quit. You must stick to the routine.

Good luck,
A.

I have a 2 1/2 year old as well as an 11 week old so I understand fully on no time to get things done. My two year old usually doesn't sleep at all when he is home but sleeps 2 hours at the daycare. I have found that playing with other kids his age and having something to do contantly wears him out alot more then just playing at home at his own pace. That maybe her problem as well. When there are no other kids to play with and keep up with then they go at their own pace, therefore not getting as worn out and tired.

I have a 6 month old and have exactly the same problem. She naps great at daycare (between 3-4.5 hours), but will only nap for 30 minutes at a time at home (for a total of maybe 1-2 hours). You are definitely not alone. When I talk to her teachers at daycare who also have small children, they just say that she must know the difference between home and daycare. It is very frustrating because I can't get anything done either. I finally gave in and hired a housekeeper. Good luck and hope it improves for you!

I agree with Liev and Diane...except I would add that you may just need the reminder that you signed up for this gig and it isn't easy. I have 3 children and I work, I cherish my time with them even if I am tired. They will grow up so quickly and you never get these years back. They are pretty careful not to wake them up at daycare because they don't want to be accused of not letting them sleep, AND it gives them time to straighten up and prepare for when they wake up. I wholeheartedly agree that your child is not willing to give up what time they have with you and be glad...by the time they are 8 or 9 they like to start doing their own thing and won't hardly speak to you without prodding half the time. Talk about driving you crazy!... The good news is you have a healthy and wonderful 18 month old who loves you!
Best of luck, I feel your pain.

She may do this because she thinks she's going to miss something at home. At childcare, she knows the routine, but on the weekends, the weekly routine gets tossed out the window.
My 2 year old granddaughter does this on the weekends. I've started taking a nap at the same time as her and if she thinks I'm asleep, she'll sleep for a few hours. If she hears me get up from my nap, or hears me doing something around the house, she's up and trying to figure out how to help.

Our daughter is very similar. She naps much better at daycare. I think it's because her days are much more structured at daycare than they are at home. Not sure though. Good luck!
W.

Hi B.,

Is her wake up time the same on the weekends? I know some kids get up earlier on workdays, so they need more naptime. Also, is she as active on the weekend?

Mine was napping 0-30 minutes each day by that age (ugh!), so it could be worse! Drinking a cup of tea in the afternoon helps on those short nap/no nap days! ;-)

Good luck,
L.

I've read about this in one of my childcare books. I think this is what they were describing. It's actually a good thing. Your daughter wants more time with you and dad, since she is spending a lot of time away from you.

Although this is challenging for you and your husband, the best way to resolve it is to give her plenty of full-on attention and relaxed time together during her scheduled awake times. Then, for naps, keep things peaceful and pleasant. Don't try to force anything. She just wants your love. Consider laying down with her, at least for the first 10 minutes or so of them, enough so that she feels cuddled and connected. You might also enjoy this time to reconnect with her after spending much of the week apart and in tired dinners after work! A nice weekend nap, all curled up together, can do everyone good! Maybe Dad would like to take his turn, as well.

Enjoy.

L.

Could be differences in the ways you put her down for a nap, or differences in the nap area. She also could just not want to miss out on any of the time with you.

My daughter, who is now 5, stays home with my husband during the day. He can get her to nap with no problem. When I'm home, she won't nap. (even if he's there too) I think she just doesn't want to miss spending any time with me. (that's the explanation I like, anyway!)

I agree with some of the others who said that she may not want to miss out on any time with you. I'm a stay at home mom and I can usually get my son to sleep pretty well during the week, but on the weekends when my husband is home, there are times when we just can't get him to sleep. My husband's started to really spend a lot of time with him in the mornings on weekends and that's helped. But it could also be the difference in settings and the way you put her down for her nap. Hope this helps!

Hi B.,
How much activity and stimulation is she getting? Do yall go outside? If so, how often and for how long. I have a 2 year old son and I find when he has been outside, he tends to nap better. He naps pretty good anyway, but typically the more tired he is, the longer he naps, but 2 hours is about his limit; however he has napped for as long as 3.5. I wish you well because trust me I LOOK FORWARD to his nap times on the weekends.

I absolutely LOVE nap time with the kids. It is what keeps me going many days also. Unless you have witnessed her napping this great at other locations, I would have my doubts about that fact. Otherwise, it might be because she is getting up earlier in the mornings to go to her daytime childcare provider and this makes her sleepier during the day. If she's on the same time schedule whether she's home or not, then it might just be distractions that she is hearing and she wants out of bed. If that's the case, try a sound machine in her room to buff out any outside noises that might be distracting her. Sleep is good!! Anything that helps is a winner!

I used to work at a day care and during nap time for 2 hours the lights went out and soft music was played the entire time. I don't know what they do at the day care where she goes but check out what they are doing that may be different than your routine. Good luck!