eliminate naps this young?

[Baby_Cakes]

Has anyone else let their almost 2 year old drop their only nap and just go to bed early?

DD (21 mo) is fighting naps to the point of getting violent. Rather than keep dealing with this, my MIL (she and I are close and agree on many things regarding parenting) suggested I try what she did with DH at this age, take away the nap and put her to bed early. It's been about a week, and DD is loving being up all day. I still have her lie down for a bit with a cup of milk and rest for about an hour, and play quietly for a good chunk of the day. It's a dreamy schedule, really and it's working out pretty well -- she's in bed most nights by 8 pm and she's sleeping a solid 12.5 to 14 hours at night.

Now, on the other hand, my sister who has 11 kids told me that at this age kids just fight naps, and if you push through it, they'll keep their nap for a long time -- til 3 or 4.

So now I don't know what to do.

In the middle of all this, DD is weaning, and I feel torn b/c I've got so much freedom now that part of me is starting to feel like I'm giving up on her. I think that's all me though, and just some mama-guilt getting mixed in.

But I feel like this is weird and might be detrimental to her wellbeing somehow. Any other mamas do this?

[happysmileylady]

My oldest dropped her nap at 18 months old. It was taking FOUR HOURS to get her down for a nap. At that point, by the time she was asleep, she needed to be waking up again, otherwise she was up until 2 or 3 in the morning. And as it was it was taking 2 or so hours to get to to sleep at night. So, I dropped her nap and moved her bedtime up and it worked out great. It didn't change how long it took to get her to go down for bed at night, still 2 or so hours, but at least those 2 or so hours were happening at a more reasonable time for all.

[love4bob]

My DD2(20 months) naps for a good 3 hours every day, and she goes to bed between 7-8. If she doesn't get that nap she is terrible, so I wouldn't do away with them for MY daughter. But my situation is different too. I have a 3 year old too, and dd2 will fight with dd1 about everything and over everything if she doesn't have her nap. If she was my only one, I might be more inclined to skip the naps. If it is working for you go for it. DD1 stopped taking naps at about 2.5. She just won't do them anymore! She does alright though. She will lay down with her comfort toy and suck her thumb(something she only does at bed time and when she is tired) while she watches a movie or Nick Jr., so she does have quiet time. I don't make her do it though, so chooses to. Maybe you can put a movie on for your DD and cuddle on the couch with her to let her rest without actually having nap time?

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by love4bob

Maybe you can put a movie on for your DD and cuddle on the couch with her to let her rest without actually having nap time?

Yes! I do this, she lays on the couch w/her sippy and watches Blues Clues or Dora, or I'll put on Princess and the Frog. Whatever she wants to watch. She does mostly ask to do this herself, now that I think about it. She hops up on the couch w/her blanket and asks for her milk.

Whew. Ok, keep these replies coming, ladies. Maybe this isn't such a far fetched/horrible thing! I feel better already!

[love4bob]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

Yes! I do this, she lays on the couch w/her sippy and watches Blues Clues or Dora, or I'll put on Princess and the Frog. Whatever she wants to watch. She does mostly ask to do this herself, now that I think about it. She hops up on the couch w/her blanket and asks for her milk.

Whew. Ok, keep these replies coming, ladies. Maybe this isn't such a far fetched/horrible thing! I feel better already!

That is exactly what my 3 year old does too. She will get a movie and her Clifford dog and sit or lay down on the couch. Sometimes she falls asleep, sometimes she doesn't. I don't think it is far fetched at all what your DD is doing!

[lmk1]

Ds started dropping his nap around 2 also. I don't see a problem with it. What difference does it make when they sleep as long as they're getting enough. I actually love him going to bed early, and then having time to myself, because otherwise, he would only go to sleep with the rest of us. He does nap sometimes now, when he needs it...when we're driving somewhere, etc. Maybe if you have 11 kids, you really need a more consistent schedule, but you can be more flexible with only 1 or 2 kids.

[greenmamapagan]

At her second birthday DD was napping once a week if that. We dreaded nap days because she'd be up forever...

[blessedwithboys]

ds2 was done with naps by 24 mos, though he had been fighting them for about 6 mos. i thought it make make an earlier bedtime possible but he still fought that too. LOL he actually has a sleep disorder, but yes, we gave up naps at 2yo

[tylerdylan]

DS2 stopped napping at 18 months. He is almost 3 now. Occassionally he will still fall asleep in the car during the day, but no naps.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by lmk1

Maybe if you have 11 kids, you really need a more consistent schedule, but you can be more flexible with only 1 or 2 kids.

Right? I value her opinion b/c she has SO MUCH experience with kids, but also I need to remember that every kid is different. Just b/c it works for her doesn't mean it has to work for me and my child.

I think as long as I remain flexible and, of course, let her nap when she needs to, we should be good and she will be healthy. Today, for example, she woke up with the sun at 5:30 am, so she is taking a nap now from 12 noon and is still asleep at 1. That's fine with me. I wouldn't keep her from sleeping if she needs it, but if she's happy and playing and cool w/staying awake from 830 am til 7:30 pm, I'm going to go with it.

Im really thankful for all these responses. It's really nice to see such a broad perspective on toddlers and sleep!

[To-Fu]

I think if it's working for you and your daughter, then it's a good thing! Each and every kid is so different.

I have been wondering if I should cut my son's nap. He's 29 months and would sleep for hours if I would let him--it's the falling asleep part that takes forever. Two hours sometimes. We'll see what happens.

[marispel]

My DS is fighting it, but he needs it. When I do get him down for a nap he'll sleep for 2-3 hrs.

Each child is different and if she is sleeping 12-14 hrs at night, great. OTH - I would think at this age would still need that nap and if you can keep trying you may get through this phase.

I found that when I get DS outside after breakfast to exert a lot of energy and then wind down with lunch and then a few books that he falls asleep better. He still fights it, but he eventually falls asleep. Since he is still in his crib, I'll let him wind down in the crib. He'll sing, jump, and whatnot - I let him go for 45 minutes and then I go back to him with another bottle, rocking and a few songs. He is usually out like a light.

Maybe change up your naptime routine and see if that helps.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by marispel

Each child is different and if she is sleeping 12-14 hrs at night, great. OTH - I would think at this age would still need that nap and if you can keep trying you may get through this phase.

She's sleeping about 12.5 - 13 hrs at night, straight through.

Here is the big problem, for me, I nurse her to sleep for naps (and for bed). For DH and for MIL (who watch her when I work 2 days a week) she refuses flat out to nap. She'll have 2 bottles, quiet time, they'll try to rock her, they'll try to read. They try EVERYTHING and she doesn't nap. So, essentially, she has given up her nap on her own for them.

Then there's the days that she doesn't want to nurse down for naps, and I don't really have any other tricks up my sleeve. I've got other things to do, too -- I can't spend 2 hours trying to get her to sleep. DD has never had a crib, she's always slept in our bed, so that doesn't really work. She just gets off the bed.

But I see what you're saying, I do. We don't have much of a routine at all -- she just nurses to sleep. As we continue to wean, I know I'm going to have to come up with something to help her transition from awake and ready to play to sleepy and ready for bed.

[ellemenope]

DD is 24 months and has been fighting naps since she was 13 months old. She could very easily wake up at 8AM and go to sleep at 10PM and be perfectly fine. I like to see if DH can guess which days she has had a nap and which days we have skipped. He can never tell.

But, I still believe in the power of a nice nap. Heck, I love them. And, I need a break.

So, I trick her by throwing her in my ergo and dancing around while I do my chores. It works every. single. time. She is always out within 15 minutes. Then i lay her down in bed.

But, I am with you in that if it is more trouble than it is worth, I would just skip it. I will say that skipping a nap does not nessesarily make it easier to get her down at night, but we can start a little earlier.

DD has a hard time transitioning to sleep. I sit next to her in bed and rub her back while I talk on the phone. She tosses and turns. I just try to keep in mind how I would feel to be forced to go to sleep each night and give her the time she needs.

A routine works. Get up the same time. Go bed at the same time. It works for me. It works for DD. Naps, honestly do not factor in that much. They just serve as a little bit of a recharge during the day for both of us.

[rozziemama]

sounds like she's doing well without the nap - just with quiet time - and if she's sleeping 13 hours at night, she's technically getting enough sleep for her age. So, why not? if everyone is happy?

[porcelina]

First, yes, every child is different. However, I just have to put in a recommendation for the book Sleepless in America. It talks about how to organize your whole day around prioritizing sleep. She highly recommends keeping the naptime as long as you can, and that, yes, they can nap until age 4 or even beyond. One of my friends was giving up the nap for her 2.5 year old (giving quiet time with him instead), and then read this book. She has been able to get the naps back without a fight. It's a different mindset around sleep. Good luck!

[lyterae]

I agree if it's working for your and your dd go with it! I tried to stop DD's naps and haven't succesfully been able to drop them, she is 4.5 now and still naps most days for about 1.5 - 2 hours. She needs the extra sleep and getting her to bed earlier isn't possible and no matter what time she goes to sleep she gets up at 6.