When do you "give up" on a nap time?

[mommyhoodnxtrt]

I am curious to know when, after trying and failing to get your baby to sleep, you "give up" on a nap time? I have realized that I typically give a nap time six tries if my little girl seems still desiring of a nap. By "six tries," I mean rocking/nursing her to a drowsy state and putting her down. If after those six times she still is resisting sleep (i.e., waking upon putting her down, or waking 10 minutes after putting her down), I just ditch the nap time, let her stay awake with me, and hope that the next coming nap will be different. What about you all? Is it after an hour, thirty minutes, two tries, etc. of trying? I am really curious to hear your responses.

[HonkyTonka]

i give a few really good tries then resort to nursing/carrying to sleep. if that doesn't work i give up and let her hang out for an hour or so until i try again.

sorry one-handed, she's on me now!

[To-Fu]

I always forced it no matter what when my first baby was small.  As he got older, I stopped trying to make him sleep when I realized that I was starting to dislike myself as a parent at nap/bedtime, and that it was doing harm to our relationship.  He ended up giving up his nap around 2.5 years old, and still at not quite 3 obviously could really use it still.  But we keep him awake because otherwise we're all miserable.  It is an unfortunately decision to make, but we're all happier now.

My youngest is just 6 months old, so I just pop him in the Ergo when he seems tired and go about my business.  If he's going to nap, he will.  Funny how much more relaxed I am about it this time around. ;)

[mommyhoodnxtrt]

I also find that the more relaxed I am about it, the easier it gets (both for my daughter and me). Thanks for sharing!

[beccabus]

Oh my gosh.. this sounds like me to a T...  I have finally (like just recently) stopped forcing naptime because I would just get too angry, frustrated and ugly.  I do not want to be that mom...  and actually since I stopped forcing it, he still has "quiet time" and falls asleep quite often!
 

Originally Posted by To-Fu 

I always forced it no matter what when my first baby was small.  As he got older, I stopped trying to make him sleep when I realized that I was starting to dislike myself as a parent at nap/bedtime, and that it was doing harm to our relationship.  He ended up giving up his nap around 2.5 years old, and still at not quite 3 obviously could really use it still.  But we keep him awake because otherwise we're all miserable.  It is an unfortunately decision to make, but we're all happier now.

My youngest is just 6 months old, so I just pop him in the Ergo when he seems tired and go about my business.  If he's going to nap, he will.  Funny how much more relaxed I am about it this time around. ;)

[otxena]

Originally Posted by beccabus 

Oh my gosh.. this sounds like me to a T...  I have finally (like just recently) stopped forcing naptime because I would just get too angry, frustrated and ugly.  I do not want to be that mom...  and actually since I stopped forcing it, he still has "quiet time" and falls asleep quite often!
 

How did you go about starting quiet time? Where does it happen, how, and for how long???

[newmamalizzy]

After struggling and stressing for a long time about naps, I now give up pretty easily.  I can tell almost immediately whether or not sleep is likely because of certain cues - she flails one arms, grunts, wants to pull my hair or mangle my face...We take a 10 minute quiet play break, then give it another shot.  If we're still unsuccessful, we go about our day as planned and try again when she looks tired again.  As DD's gotten older, missed naps aren't as big of a deal because she's able to be good-natured despite the missed nap.  It's easier for both of us to just let it go and enjoy ourselves.

[beccabus]

Hi!  Wow, I just saw that this was posted!  Sorry!!

 So our quiet time is still in his bed just as in nap time.  I bring him up to his bed, tuck him in, pray with him and kiss him good night :)  I would say now that I've stopped forcing naptime, he falls asleep on his own 95% of the time!  I think he gets my more relaxed cue from me and feels comfortable to fall asleep! :)  Wishing you the best in your nap adventures!
 

Originally Posted by otxena 

Originally Posted by beccabus 

Oh my gosh.. this sounds like me to a T...  I have finally (like just recently) stopped forcing naptime because I would just get too angry, frustrated and ugly.  I do not want to be that mom...  and actually since I stopped forcing it, he still has "quiet time" and falls asleep quite often!
 

 

How did you go about starting quiet time? Where does it happen, how, and for how long???