Nap time challenges

[gopalakrishna]

I cannot tell you how many sleep related posts I have put on this site since my DS was born...lol! So here's another! DS is 2 1/2 yrs old and we are having some challenges getting him to nap. He will not go down for a nap by himself. I have to be there with him, lying with him/holding his hand. I have tried to get him to do otherwise, but he will just choose not to sleep.This wasn't really a challenge before, but now we have a new baby and it just isn't possible all the time for me to sit in his room for 30 min(or more sometimes). So, i am looking for other ideas. I have a friend whose son who always takes his nap on a little fold out sofa on the playroom floor...usually while watching a nice boring Thomas video I am tempted to try this technique, because he can nap when he is ready and I will not have to be there with him. But, I have my doubts that this will work too. Any other creative ideas? Unfortunantly he does need to nap, so skipping it altogether is not an option. Thanks!!!!

[momshelper]

Hi,
Sleeping can be a big issue with toddlers but what has always worked for me is to wrap/swaddle them tightly enough so that they cant move their arms (you can find swaddling how tos on YouTube) and popping them in a pram outside whenever possible. The fresh air does them good. They will probably cry but very soon get bored as they cant really move and tire themselves out trying. Pretty soon they just fall asleep. After a while of doing this, they stop crying and just go to sleep.

Good luck....

[caenach]

Hrmmm. I don't really have any advice, just commiseration. DD doesn't really nap (when she's with me) unless I'm holding her or lying next to her, and she usually nurses to sleep.

She naps at daycare, sometimes. They put a little cot with her special naptime pillow and blanket on the floor, have all the kids lie down at the same time, and turn off lights/distractions. DD's very socially motivated, so anything that involves "all the other kids" doing something, she'll do happily.

Will he go to sleep in the stroller or in the carseat on a car-ride at the appointed time? If so, maybe some creative scheduling could make naptime coincide with errands or a walk with both kids?

Can you wear him to sleep? DD will sleep in the Ergo sometimes, on my back, while I do chores.

What about white noise? DD sleeps SO much more easily/soundly when it's dark and when we run the little oscillating fan in her room, especially during the day when there are so many noise distractions.

Can you all nap together in a family bed? DD goes to sleep much better/faster if she thinks we're all in it together. Then I just get up after she's out and do what I need to do.

[greenmagick]

Im not really much help, both of my guys stopped napping before two. We just do some quiet time. When dd was 2 ds was three months...she would watch a video, or play with a special toy while I put ds down or had a break.

[mom61508]

Uhhhhh how I understand. DD is in the room crying right now after struggling for about 30 minutes(usually I wait 45 mins) with her in the room to take a nap I had to leave her in the room before I lost it! I'm the only one that can put her down and it usually takes forever! Sometimes I wonder maybe she doesn't need a nap anymore but she's only 2. I have noticed when she doesn't nap she goes down so quickly at night and that's always great!

[boatrat]

I was coming here to post the same issue! Ds2
is 3 days old and I know that we have to do something to help 30 month old ds1 be able to fall asleep for his naps without needing me to lie with him for an hour...


So, I have no advice but I hope that others do!

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by boatrat

I was coming here to post the same issue! Ds2
is 3 days old and I know that we have to do something to help 30 month old ds1 be able to fall asleep for his naps without needing me to lie with him for an hour...


So, I have no advice but I hope that others do!

This is my concern too. I'm pregnant and DH and I were just talking about how difficult it's gonna be with LO2 comes along and I'm still having to put DD down for a hour She will NOT let DH put her down I have to be in the room. I think it may be time to transition her into her own room but Iguess that's another thread.