Tips for Switching to Nap Mat

[Lyss]

I've seen a lot of posts about this but it seems to be more about what age do you switch from pnp to a nap mat rather than how. I'm looking for tips on how you did this.

I have a 15mo DCG that I would like to get swapped over to a mat before my newest infant begins in May. All the DCKs nap in the same room and all lay quietly until they fall asleep on their own, I don't pat backs but I'm know this DCG may be a challenge.

[daycarediva]

She will be 18m? I think that is most likely a bit too young. I don't switch to nap mats until parents switch to toddler/regular size beds at home and report dck staying in bed. THEN I make the switch. If it is a safety concern with the pack & play (I had a dcg who could easily climb out at 26m) then I voice my concerns over injury to parents and ask them to start making the switch at home.

[blandino]

She will be 18m? I think that is most likely a bit too young. I don't switch to nap mats until parents switch to toddler/regular size beds at home and report dck staying in bed. THEN I make the switch. If it is a safety concern with the pack & play (I had a dcg who could easily climb out at 26m) then I voice my concerns over injury to parents and ask them to start making the switch at home.

I have thought about that, and would love to do it (I also think that increases incentive at home) I would like to have that rule with high chairs also- so that the bulk of the training is done by parents. But I hate pack and plays and high chairs, so I wind up being the first one to take them out of both - just because for me it is easier to have them out.

But I would love to put that responsibility on the parents. I have an almost 3 y.o DCG who is still in a high chair (bib and all) because the mom simply doesn't want to take the time to teach her.

[daycarediva]

I have thought about that, and would love to do it (I also think that increases incentive at home) I would like to have that rule with high chairs also- so that the bulk of the training is done by parents. But I hate pack and plays and high chairs, so I wind up being the first one to take them out of both - just because for me it is easier to have them out.

But I would love to put that responsibility on the parents. I have an almost 3 y.o DCG who is still in a high chair (bib and all) because the mom simply doesn't want to take the time to teach her.

Sorry, that's laziness!

I only take 2+. I tell parents at interview that kids at age 2 CAN and SHOULD be sitting at the table (a booster is a good alternative/transition) using silverware well, drinking out of a regular cup, etc. I also ask that they start working on that AND sitting for a complete meal/waiting for everyone to finish. It is one thing I ALWAYS get complimented on when I have visitors. Today, a dcm came in at lunch to drop off a check since dck will be out all week. She has never seen my group eat. I had 5 two year olds, sitting at the table, wiping faces with a napkin, drinking from non lidded cups without spilling with no bibs and not that much mess, chatting away while they ate their lunch. Dcm sat and stared for a bit. Asked if her dd did that, and then said "we are soooo doing this at home!" ::

If it IS an issue for me, I tell parents. "Hey I need your help with dck. They have outgrown their pack and play here and that means that they can most likely climb out of the crib at home as well. A fall from that height is such a safety concern for me, and I am sure for you as well. WHEN (not IF) are you transitioning dck to a toddler bed?" I sometimes get the blank stare. I've never had ANYONE try to talk their way out of doing it, when I cite safety reasons.

Is your dcg too big for the high chair? Is their a height/weight limit? I would research and see if you can spin it that way.

[Oneluckymom]

Is your dcg too big for the high chair? Is their a height/weight limit? I would research and see if you can spin it that way.

I thought this too. What IF it tipped over one day?

I am in the same situation as OP. I am starting an infant in may and have a DCG who will be 2 in may. She is still using a PNP. I too have been thinking of switching. It is a time thing. You will have to sit with her and reassure her that its ok as she may be scared of the new sleeping arrangement or may just try to wander.

[momofsix]

I've seen a lot of posts about this but it seems to be more about what age do you switch from pnp to a nap mat rather than how. I'm looking for tips on how you did this.

I have a 15mo DCG that I would like to get swapped over to a mat before my newest infant begins in May. All the DCKs nap in the same room and all lay quietly until they fall asleep on their own, I don't pat backs but I'm know this DCG may be a challenge.

I have transferred that young before and it has worked fine. I usually do it before 18 months unless I know it will be a challenge. What challenges are you anticipating with this one?
Mine already all sleep in the same room, so the only change is from pnp to mat. For the first day or two I am right close to them to remind them to lay down if needed and to maybe rub a back for a minute to get them comfy. I think it's easy at this age b/c usually they are so tired they fall right asleep no matter where they are! Mine are all settled with their new nap spot within a week.

[Lyss]

She will be 18m? I think that is most likely a bit too young. I don't switch to nap mats until parents switch to toddler/regular size beds at home and report dck staying in bed. THEN I make the switch. If it is a safety concern with the pack & play (I had a dcg who could easily climb out at 26m) then I voice my concerns over injury to parents and ask them to start making the switch at home.

I've seen multiple posts about what age to start the transition and a lot of people have done it at 12-18mos if they think the child can adapt. I think she can handle it, i just think it will take some time to transition.

As for these DCPs doing it first that's never gonna happen. She will be their only child and both have repeatedly told me they aren't trying to rush her to grow up (aka they want her to be a baby as long as possible). They didn't start solids til 8months and finger foods at 11months (there was no medical reason, they just didn't want to and were nervous) even though she ate them here.

Sorry, that's laziness!

I only take 2+. I tell parents at interview that kids at age 2 CAN and SHOULD be sitting at the table (a booster is a good alternative/transition) using silverware well, drinking out of a regular cup, etc. I also ask that they start working on that AND sitting for a complete meal/waiting for everyone to finish. It is one thing I ALWAYS get complimented on when I have visitors. Today, a dcm came in at lunch to drop off a check since dck will be out all week. She has never seen my group eat. I had 5 two year olds, sitting at the table, wiping faces with a napkin, drinking from non lidded cups without spilling with no bibs and not that much mess, chatting away while they ate their lunch. Dcm sat and stared for a bit. Asked if her dd did that, and then said "we are soooo doing this at home!" ::

If it IS an issue for me, I tell parents. "Hey I need your help with dck. They have outgrown their pack and play here and that means that they can most likely climb out of the crib at home as well. A fall from that height is such a safety concern for me, and I am sure for you as well. WHEN (not IF) are you transitioning dck to a toddler bed?" I sometimes get the blank stare. I've never had ANYONE try to talk their way out of doing it, when I cite safety reasons.

Is your dcg too big for the high chair? Is their a height/weight limit? I would research and see if you can spin it that way.

I often get a blank stare from these DCPs! :: At home this DCG still uses a bottle and gets spoon fed rather than being able to do it herself. Here she sits at the table, uses her own utensils (and fingers! ), and is starting to use a cup. DCPs have seen her at the table and are always amazed it's possible, BUT they don't do it at home

[Lyss]

I have transferred that young before and it has worked fine. I usually do it before 18 months unless I know it will be a challenge. What challenges are you anticipating with this one?
Mine already all sleep in the same room, so the only change is from pnp to mat. For the first day or two I am right close to them to remind them to lay down if needed and to maybe rub a back for a minute to get them comfy. I think it's easy at this age b/c usually they are so tired they fall right asleep no matter where they are! Mine are all settled with their new nap spot within a week.

Thanks!

They all nap in the same room already, just DCG in the pnp. My real concern I guess is getting her to stay on the mat and not wake up the other kids if she wakes up first. She's not a screamer (anymore anyway) but she's always trying to "cuddle" or sit in the lap of the other kids (2,3,4) so i don't want her trying to get at them when they are sleeping. Also she's a flopper, she's all over the pnp so I'm a bit concerned about her ending up across the room ::

[Play Care]

I will say that it depends on the child for me. I've had some kids on nap mats as young as 18 months and they did well, others have had to be in a PNP until almost 3 Typically I will stay right outside the door of the room the first couple of weeks (until I know they are asleep) I try to make it so they can't see one another from their nap mats - using furniture as a barrier. If after a week or two, I find that I am spending most of the nap putting them back down, gently shushing, etc then back to the PNP they go for another few weeks/month.

[blandino]

Sorry, that's laziness!

I only take 2+. I tell parents at interview that kids at age 2 CAN and SHOULD be sitting at the table (a booster is a good alternative/transition) using silverware well, drinking out of a regular cup, etc. I also ask that they start working on that AND sitting for a complete meal/waiting for everyone to finish. It is one thing I ALWAYS get complimented on when I have visitors. Today, a dcm came in at lunch to drop off a check since dck will be out all week. She has never seen my group eat. I had 5 two year olds, sitting at the table, wiping faces with a napkin, drinking from non lidded cups without spilling with no bibs and not that much mess, chatting away while they ate their lunch. Dcm sat and stared for a bit. Asked if her dd did that, and then said "we are soooo doing this at home!" ::

If it IS an issue for me, I tell parents. "Hey I need your help with dck. They have outgrown their pack and play here and that means that they can most likely climb out of the crib at home as well. A fall from that height is such a safety concern for me, and I am sure for you as well. WHEN (not IF) are you transitioning dck to a toddler bed?" I sometimes get the blank stare. I've never had ANYONE try to talk their way out of doing it, when I cite safety reasons.

Is your dcg too big for the high chair? Is their a height/weight limit? I would research and see if you can spin it that way.

She is actually very small for her age, she was significantly premature. I have had her out of a high chair since 22 months. But her skills are lacking because she is so babied at home and eating cleanly isnt reinforced.

[momofsix]

Thanks!

They all nap in the same room already, just DCG in the pnp. My real concern I guess is getting her to stay on the mat and not wake up the other kids if she wakes up first. She's not a screamer (anymore anyway) but she's always trying to "cuddle" or sit in the lap of the other kids (2,3,4) so i don't want her trying to get at them when they are sleeping. Also she's a flopper, she's all over the pnp so I'm a bit concerned about her ending up across the room ::

Does she usually wake up first?
If so, she's old enough to stay on her cot and cuddle a stuffed animal for a bit or look at books. I have a "flopper"(: too-sometimes I'll put her back on her mat, sometimes I'll just leave her-she always has her head on her blanket so it's not right on the floor. I try not to place her too close to the other kids and one side and the head of her mat are up against a solid corner so she can only really roll one way.

[youretooloud]

I usually go from sleeping in a room alone, to sleeping in the pack n play in the room that joins the playroom, then to the playroom, to eventually giving them a nap mat. But, for a day or so, I keep the pack n play ready to toss them back into if it doesn't work.

But, I just put one of my especially brilliant toddlers on a mat with no gradual changes...He just went from one room alone, to the floor with the other kids.