Napping Issue Again...

[MNMum]

I'd like to say I'm one of those daycares that requires nap, "If you've outgrown naps, you've outgrown my program." All of my older ones nap great.

...what do you do when you have a baby that won't nap.

I have a 12 mo old, who is taking a 45 minute nap. That's it. She has always been a horrible sleeper here, I've had her two days per week since 12 weeks. I have tried everything. She was napping about 45 minutes in am and pm. Within the last month I tried going to one nap per day, it worked for about 2 weeks. She was taking one 2.5 hour nap with everyone else.

Now she screams after 45 minutes. I've tried waiting her out. I've tried going in and checking diaper, laying her back down, telling her everyone else is asleep. This has been about 2 weeks now (and I had her extra days during that time). Today I tried giving her an early nap, she slept about 30 minutes then screaming. This afternoon, slept 45 minutes, then screaming. She's been screaming on and off the rest of naptime.

I was hoping she would outgrow the nap issues. I love the family, but I need everyone to take a nap! Am I being unrealistic? Would you term, do you think she'll every outgrow this? What do you tell the family?

[bluemoose_mom]

I have a little girl who did this when she started.

I went in and patted her back until she settled. Most days she sleeps the full two hours, about twice a week I have to go back in and pat her. If she doesn't settle, I never got her up.

Good luck, that's the only advice I have.

[ritah]

My experience has been that two days a week is not enough for a little one to adjust to your routine, especially if they have a different routine at home.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I suggest more white noise - sounds like she isn't settling after one cycle. Can you try a big fan or a loud white noise machine?

[My3cents]

My experience has been that two days a week is not enough for a little one to adjust to your routine, especially if they have a different routine at home.

bingo!

you can ask the parents if they are only going to come two days a week to try to keep the same schedule that you do, but most likely they won't.

I had the same problem. Be consistent and know that two days a week it is not going to be easy breezy nap time. Try moving the child to an area that is away from the other kids, so the other kids can get sleep. I stuck it out with mine and it did get better. Not always, but this child sleeps different then the other children do. Fights sleep. I was a sleep fighter and still am so I have understanding for this, but I do like my break time too.

Ask the parents for ideas too. They know their child best. You might have to up his schedule to full time to get him on the same as everyone else and it will take weeks, and it might not happen. Parents may not want,need or be able to afford that.

You have to decide if you want the stress of this child. I love this child I have except for the sleep issue, love the family so it was not a hard choice for me. Mine is part time and has been like this since day one so I deal with it and move on. I expect it. I think when you come to terms with it, instead of dreading it, it helps. Not everyone is cut out to come to terms with this type of child. That is ok.

Best-

[phoenix]

What is the baby sleeping in? I had a part time baby that did this to me last summer. Turns out, he just flat out hated the pnp. He was a co-sleep baby and was used to a king size bed. Once I put him on a mat on the floor he slept like a champ. BUT I will say that since he was used to a bed, I didn't have issues with him getting up and such. Hope baby sleeps soon

[MNMum]

I'll try moving the box fan into the bedroom, as it is in the hallway. I think I need to come to the realization she is never going to sleep well here. I have others interested in her spot. I just feel bad for terming over sleeping issues!

[MNMum]

Has anyone tried putting toddlers in the same room? This child screams as we are going to her nap room, she cries when she has to leave daycare (great parents, she just loves being with the other kids here). Do you think she might be okay if she were to wake up and see another child also sleeping? Of course my concern here is that the other child's naptime would be interrupted/ended. But maybe the peer pressure could work in my favor? I have another toddler in a pack n play, and I could put them in the same room.

[LK5kids]

These are all good ideas plus possibly she still needs that morning nap and is overtired. Some kids get wired and can't sleep well if overtired. I know, I know you want her to lay down in the afternoon. I would too. But 12 months is not a magic number for ALL kids to drop two naps.

[canadiancare]

What is the baby sleeping in? I had a part time baby that did this to me last summer. Turns out, he just flat out hated the pnp. He was a co-sleep baby and was used to a king size bed. Once I put him on a mat on the floor he slept like a champ. BUT I will say that since he was used to a bed, I didn't have issues with him getting up and such. Hope baby sleeps soon

Has anyone tried putting toddlers in the same room? This child screams as we are going to her nap room, she cries when she has to leave daycare (great parents, she just loves being with the other kids here). Do you think she might be okay if she were to wake up and see another child also sleeping? Of course my concern here is that the other child's naptime would be interrupted/ended. But maybe the peer pressure could work in my favor? I have another toddler in a pack n play, and I could put them in the same room.

That is what I did with my screamer. Now all the kids are on mats in the front room and are quiet for 2 hours. I put nature music on and it works really well.