2 year old dcg can't transition to nap mat

[midaycare]

I have a just-turned 2 year old dcg who can not transition to a nap mat. I have a huge pack and play for her, which she loves, but she sees all of her friends on nap mats and wants one, too. And I agree - it's time.

She's a tiny girl, so she can fit in an infant pack and play! As I am typing this, she is moving non-stop on the floor. She is arranging and re-arranging her blanket. Moving her nap mat. Up down, up down, up down, up down. Rolling over. I have her right next to me, because she wants to be as close to me as possible. I can literally touch her nap mat. There she goes - up again! I keep telling her she needs to be quiet and settle down, but she just can't. Now she's rearranging her blanket again. Yesterday she did this for an hour before I finally took her in the craft room to make crafts and play playdough. What can I do with her? She is still in need of naps, and now refuses to go back in the pack and play.

[KidGrind]

I have a just-turned 2 year old dcg who can not transition to a nap mat. I have a huge pack and play for her, which she loves, but she sees all of her friends on nap mats and wants one, too. And I agree - it's time.

She's a tiny girl, so she can fit in an infant pack and play! As I am typing this, she is moving non-stop on the floor. She is arranging and re-arranging her blanket. Moving her nap mat. Up down, up down, up down, up down. Rolling over. I have her right next to me, because she wants to be as close to me as possible. I can literally touch her nap mat. There she goes - up again! I keep telling her she needs to be quiet and settle down, but she just can't. Now she's rearranging her blanket again. Yesterday she did this for an hour before I finally took her in the craft room to make crafts and play playdough. What can I do with her? She is still in need of naps, and now refuses to go back in the pack and play.

Once I get the mat veterans down, I sit next to the newbie. They can fidget quietly. They can sit up. I sit there and don’t say a word reading a book or magazine. Once they completely crawl, roll or get off the mat. I place them right back down on the mat and say, “Quiet time.” I don’t say anything else and go back to my book. 30 seconds later, I do the same thing. I keep repeating until they understand they need to stay on their mat.

I get tired. Even so, I promise they’re more tired then me by the end of our session. It has worked for me.

[midaycare]

Dcg finally fell asleep after an hour - but not on the nap mat. I spend nap time on a beanbag on the floor, watching over the kiddos. She scooted herself next to me and has her head against the beanbag, my leg.

Help people! I can't do this every day. I have an infant starting on Monday

[Rockgirl]

I'd position her mat next to something, like a couch or wall, so she's not out in the open. I use a blanket big enough to tuck snugly under the sides of the mat, so she's tucked in really well. Then I'd sit beside her with my hand on her back. If she starts to fidget, tell her it's time to rest. You'll have to tell her repeatedly. She'll get there!

[melilley]

Sorry hon, but KidGrind is right and the only thing that is probably going to work is to do what she said. Repetition is key and in my experience, it may take a long time for her to get used to it, but they eventually (usually) do.

[melilley]

I'd position her mat next to something, like a couch or wall, so she's not out in the open. I use a blanket big enough to tuck snugly under the sides of the mat, so she's tucked in really well. Then I'd sit beside her with my hand on her back. If she starts to fidget, tell her it's time to rest. You'll have to tell her repeatedly. She'll get there!

[drseuss]

I'd position her mat next to something, like a couch or wall, so she's not out in the open. I use a blanket big enough to tuck snugly under the sides of the mat, so she's tucked in really well. Then I'd sit beside her with my hand on her back. If she starts to fidget, tell her it's time to rest. You'll have to tell her repeatedly. She'll get there!

Good answer!

[ColorfulSunburst]

I try to make them tired before the NAP ...
As a result I have wishes to fall asleep the every nap time ::
The children just fall asleep during the first minutes of the nap time.

[Baby Beluga]

I agree with placing her against a barrier like a wall or shelf so she is not totally out in the open.

Is it possible that she is having a hard time calming down mentally and psychically and the arranging and rearranging is her way of trying to work through that? Kinda like when we go to bed but we toss and turn until we tire ourselves out.

[midaycare]

I agree with placing her against a barrier like a wall or shelf so she is not totally out in the open.

Is it possible that she is having a hard time calming down mentally and psychically and the arranging and rearranging is her way of trying to work through that? Kinda like when we go to bed but we toss and turn until we tire ourselves out.

She does usually take at least 10 minutes to fall asleep in the pack and play. My others are out in 2 minutes flat.

[midaycare]

I'd position her mat next to something, like a couch or wall, so she's not out in the open. I use a blanket big enough to tuck snugly under the sides of the mat, so she's tucked in really well. Then I'd sit beside her with my hand on her back. If she starts to fidget, tell her it's time to rest. You'll have to tell her repeatedly. She'll get there!

I think this is good advice!

[Heidi]

I've made "forts" for my new-to-mat kids. They usually love having a fort to sleep in. Or, if you have a pop-up tent, you could try that. I used to have one that looked like a school-bus, and fit over a baby/toddler mattress.

I've also used super-gates around them occasionally. After a couple days, I've opened one end, but by then they are used to staying on the mat. Then, I eventually get rid of it.

You can always give her a chance, and if she doesn't stay put, move her to the pnp. Sleeping with your friends is an earned privilege. Unless she climbs out.

[Cat Herder]

2 year old dcg

she sees all of her friends on nap mats and wants one, too. And I agree - it's time.

She is still in need of naps, and now refuses to go back in the pack and play.

I do this with 1yo's.

She does not get to refuse. She either lays on her mat like a big girl or she goes back into her PNP like a little girl. Her choice. Rewards are earned.

Rinse/repeat.

Now, if she were not able to have the PNP as an option (filled by infant) then I repeat what everyone else is telling you. Except with NO words at all. Put her back, walk away casually. No words, no eye contact, no stress. Just an unspoken fact, you lay on mat now. (also we are not allowed to tuck the blankets under the mattress/mat. It is considered a restraint)

[Rockgirl]

I do this with 1yo's.

She does not get to refuse. She either lays on her mat like a big girl or she goes back into her PNP like a little girl. Her choice. Rewards are earned.

Rinse/repeat.

Now, if she were not able to have the PNP as an option (filled by infant) then I repeat what everyone else is telling you. Except with NO words at all. Put her back, walk away casually. No words, no eye contact, no stress. Just an unspoken fact, you lay on mat now. (also we are not allowed to tuck the blankets under the mattress/mat. It is considered a restraint)

I hope we never get that regulation here. I think being tucked in makes them feel secure. They can move--it's not a straight jacket! Lol

[Rockgirl]

If you're not allowed to tuck, I'd use a heavier blanket. Mine use them anyway.... I keep my playroom a little on the cool side at naptime, so a heavier blanket feels better. I also darken the room (I can see everyone), and use a white noise machine. I challenge anyone to stay awake in there!