I respect Weissbluth in many ways, and agree that sleep in a crib will be more restful than on the go. However, I have a 23 months old and a 10 week old. Soon, I know, the morning nap will consolidate and a real sleep-routine needs to be respected. The problem, however, is that my toddler has a million activities, and there is just no way I can hang around the house for the morning nap.
So mom's with multiple kids, do your younger ones suffer from napping on the go, or do they just adjust? My little guy is a terrific sleeper, and he loves napping in a sling. We have a great schedule worked out at the moment (one he just naturally fell into), and while I know it will change, he seems to be able to sleep just about anywhere --be it in the sling or in his crib. In fact, I put him down for his first morning nap in his crib and then he takes his second in the sling, and of course his afternoon nap is in the crib. Should I just not worry about this, or what?
Thanks everyone. I won't worry about it.
And just to be clear, she only has a few "Classes." Most of her activities are "playgroup" activities, like going to indoor playgrounds, the park, etc. In short, activities with other kids to help her socialize and to let he get some of her energy out so she will nap in the afternoon. She is far from over-scheduled, and we always spend a few hours a day reading/playing at home. I never schedule anything for after nap.
I think that a sleeping baby close to my heart in the sling is the best ever!
You are doing a GREAT job!!
I saw a big difference in both my kids (physically and emotionally) when I tried to "go with the flow" and have them nap on-the-go.. To me, being out was not worth the toll I saw it take on my kids. So yes, I had to hang out at the house during nap times until they grew past those stages. Was it absolutely boring and inconvenient? Yes, of course. It dramatically cut down on what I was able to do. But that's one of those choices we all make when we have kids. Fortunately, I had some awesome friends who would come over for playdates at my house (so the baby could sleep while the firstborn had friends over).
Thanks for asking this question. You are not alone, I have a 7 week old and 2 almost 3 year olds. With my twins is seemed like DR. Weissbluth was a genius and he didn't steer us wrong. However, I am also nervous about getting this baby on a schedule and keeping up with the big kids. One thing I would suggest is to put him in his crib when you are home, and if you are able to you might want to volunteer to host your playgroup or other activities more often than you otherwise might. I am trying to work it so he gets a good morning nap at home at least every other day, and almost always an afternoon nap since the big kids need it too.
Once you have more than 1 child then you are right , you cannot hang around the house for nap times , if you have older kids who are at school or have activities they go to then you have to get on with your day. My 2nd & 3rd child had to nap on the go (3rd does it more often with 2 older siblings) and they are just fine. They will sleep in the car , in the stroller , I can move them from the car to the stroller or into the house without waking them. If I am home then yes I put the youngest (now 20 months) in her crib but if not then she will fall asleep anywhere. You have to do what you have to do , you have a life and a schedule already in place and baby has to fit in with you not the other way around.
I have three kids - 6, 4 and infant. We decided during my pregnancy, to start slowing down the bigger kids activities. Boy am I glad we did. The older children realize that allowing mom and baby to rest is best for all of us right now. Also, our baby got sick being "out and about" - so staying inside, away from all the germs is imperative to us.
I don't think toddlers need to be "on the go" all the time. I believe they are just fine having busy days and at home days.
As for the baby, yes, I think having naptime at home is important. That doesn't mean you have to be stuck inside all the time. I made mornings my "active" time and afternoons we are home. I do try to limit am activities around the baby's schedule as much as possible tho.
Personally, I think "sleep books" are for those people who only have 1 kid. The rest of us have to balance shopping, other kids, etc. which doesn't always allow for "at home crib sleeping". That said, I think you should TRY to work around the baby's schedule, but that also means that the baby's schedule has to fit in the FAMILY's life. Welcome to the balancing act!
i would not really fret over this one. baby will sleep fine. i also have similar situation and i see that # 1 does get more in terms of attention and sleep advantages. both will thrive and both be fine in life. slings, cribs, strollers are fine.
I agree with everyone else. Babies don't really care where they're sleeping most of the time. Our kids both got lulled into the deepest sleeps when they were in the car - I think it's because I drove 150-200 miles/day when I was pregnant with them, and the sound of the car (plus its vibrations) were familiar and soothing.
Sounds like what you're doing is working for you for now.
Hi J.,
Follow your children's lead.
My son would nap anywhere with no problem (and still does) and napping on the go was the rule, not the exception, on the week-ends.
My daughter is more difficult. As an infant, she would nap in the sling. But, she is very active and aware of the world around her. She can't sleep on the go anymore (neither in a sling, a stroller or in the car) and when her nap time passes and she isnt in bed and get exhausted, she just cries and cries and get miserable.
If your baby is a great sleeper on the go, then go for it and let your toddler enjoy all his activities.
Good luck!
Hi J.,
Don't worry about it. It seems to be working fine for you. Consider yourself fortunate... haha.
I have four kids and each one has had to nap on the go. But just remember that 23 months and a "million" activities may be too much. They are only little once and you have your whole life to be "overscheduled". Take time to just be home and enjoy reading, doing puzzles, etc. these activities are much more meaningful than a teacher led group at this age. I don't mean to be negative, but really they grow up so quickly, let them be babies!! Just scale back a little and reach a happy medium, it is best for the whole family!
I think you should do whatever works for you. I was never a believer that a child should only nap in a crib, however, my oldest was never a great sleeper (oops...is this because I didn't always insist on napping in her crib? Who knows?). But I do know that slings are great and if your little one can nap while you are running your toddler around, go for it!
It'll get harder once your little one doesn't want to stay in his highchair then you'll have two toddlers to worry about when you are out and about eating dinner and such.
My opinion - I wouldn't worry about it, but if you asked my SIL, she would probably have a different answer as she was much more strict about nap schedules and things. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for schedules, but I haven't ever been that rigid with napping. I figure kids can and do fall asleep all the time in the car, sling, grandma's house, etc so don't feel like you have to put your life on hold. But also realize that you will need to be flexible and naps may end up being shorter, or he may take 1-2 shorter naps if you are in and out of the car. It may not be at the same time. You just have to go with the flow!
I will be in your shoes soon- I'm due in May and have a 2.5 year old. To be honest, I think it's a gift to have a child who will sleep "anywhere". I'm very hopeful that, unlike my first, this next baby will be able to sleep while we are on the go. My son was a horrible sleeper. I hope I get a bit of a break this time! (I know, famous last words...)
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com
Your baby will adjust to sleeping where ever he is. However, I would be more concerned about a 23 month old with "a million activities". He needs down time at home also.
I was sooooo hung up on nap times, locations of the nap, length of the nap with my older boy. Then when he was 18 months old I had another baby. The baby adjusted. He would sleep in a carseat. In his carrier. Sometimes he wouldn't sleep. I got over it. He was fine. The one thing I will say, though, is that we have kept the bedtime routine/time consistent. I think this is what has saved us from sleep problems with them both. Also, my now 3 year old gave up his afternoon naps way sooner than his brother. I suspect it has to do with wanting to be a "big boy" like his brother rather than a "need" thing.
