Hi all:
I'm wondering how long most 2 year olds take naps. My son will be turning 2 in about two weeks. His naps have been unpredictable lately. Either he naps for about three hours in the afternoon, which is too close to bed time. As a result, he won't fall asleep until later. Or, he won't nap at all and this makes him extremely hard to manage. The other day he actually jumped out of his crib and bumped his nose pretty hard. (It could've been much worse.) We are working on changing to a day bed for this reason!
Before I was working so much I had him on a regular nap schedule that worked out well. He's been to so many different babysitters, that his nap schedule is way off now.
I'm wondering if he's outgrowing the naps or if the sleeping schedule has changed because he's been with so many different care takers. Now, I'll be home for a little while...so I'm hoping to straighten this sleeping pattern out. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Most nap 1pm-3pm at daycare. Depending on how mine is feeling it is sometimes shorter or longer. But even if he doesn't seem to be falling asleep the quite time is good.
Try to make the same rules (nap time, food preferences etc.) that you want for your child instead of letting the sitter make their rule. Also, consider having a permanent nanny that stays with your child on the days that you are at school. Change is very upsetting to a 2 year old, expecially not having a solid relationship with the same person versus a different sitter everytime you have to leave.
Hi L.,
My son will be 3 in Feb & he is still napping most days. His naps vary from 1.5-3 hours. Recently we have missed a few naps & it actually makes bed time easier as he wants to go to sleep at 8 pm. Instead of staying awake (in his room to bed at 8 but awake) until 9-9:30 w/ various requests (that he isn't tired, is thirsty, is too hot to sleep, etc). There was a period around when he turned 2 (when I had my second son so there was more going on) that I thought he was going to stop taking his nap but I just tried to be consistent & keep putting him down at the same time. If he slept, great but if he didn't, at least I had some "quiet time". He went back to being a really good napper, until recently & I think this time we might really be ready to give them up. I would say the key is to be consistent w/ your nap time & insist that he have quiet time, he doesn't have to sleep but he does need to rest.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
Hi L.,
My 2yr 8mo old will nap for about 2-3 hrs, but she will only nap if I lay down with her until she's asleep. If I put her in bed and leave the room, she won't go to sleep at all, and like yours, she will be grumpy and hard to handle for the rest of the day. I put her down between 11 and 1130, depending on how she's behaving. I also notice that she goes to sleep easy, and longer, if she's had a snack and some milk, about half hour before she goes down. She wakes up extremely happy, and very sweet, if she gets her full nap.
I do think that your son's nap time has been interrupted from being in the different day cares. New things, new people and places, always change childrens' habits. Once you get him back on a schedule, I'm sure he'll sleep for you.
Good luck!
Mari
When my daughter was 2, she gave up naps also- mainly becuase I have a 4 year old and he wasn't taking naps either. She began going to bed a little earlier and sleeping through the night. She hasn't missed her regular naps and ofter catches up by napping when we are in the car.
We often do "quiet" time in her room or cuddle up and watch a movie together.
I think it is up to what is best for your family. Some kids NEED their nap, others do fine without it.
My daughter, 3.5 still naps. Her nap time varies, but not my much. She'll nap about 2 hours.
If, for some reason we get home around 3/4, I'll still put her down for her nap, but I'll be sure to gently wake her (open her door, put on lights, make gentle noises, etc) after about an hour or an hour and a half.
Some people just require a quiet time- maybe not sleep, but rest.
All kids are different. (After yesterday, it is clear my daughter still needs a nip- YIKES!) But, with all kids, consistency counts. That said, those sitters should try the best they can to follow your guidelines.
Good luck!
My 2 year old is trying desperately to give up her naps. It is killing me since her 7 month old sister won't sleep at night. I called her pedi because she wouldn't go down until 2-4 and then bedtime was an hour long meltdown. She told me that 2 year olds are busy and don't want to sleep. She needs about 6 after waking before being ready for bed again. So if she isn't up by 2 then 8 for bedtime won't happen. Anyway, I try to get her to lay down because I know generally if she will then she will fall asleep. But my stubborn 2 year old rarely listens to me!! I am at my wits end so if you come up with something let me know! My daughter was a great sleeper until around 18 months. Just before her sister was born.
Hi there, my daughter went through the same thing. Don't give up! I kept at it and yes at times she would fall asleep late but I would wake her up if she slept too late. Eventually she went back to her regular time. Now she is 3 1/2 and she is doing it again but this time it is b/c she is dropping them. Don't give up! Also I put a crib tent on when she started to climb out. It really eased my mind! Also, if he skips his nap put him to bed at least an hour earlier that way he will make it up. Not to worry, he shouldn't wake up any earlier. Two is very young to drop a nap, they need their sleep (In my opinion).
Good luck!
naptimes do change around this age. if he won't actually sleep during the 'naptime' maybe you could try to have him lay down and just be quiet and rest. tell him he doesn't have to go to sleep but he does need to rest. more times than not they will fall asleep. :)
