21 mo won't nap - even though she does need one :-(

[windymama]

For the past couple of months, maybe even longer I've been unable to get my 21 mo DD to have a nap during the day.  I think I've managed to figure out that the ideal time for her to nap is around 11:00 which won't work for our family as DS is at nursery school 2x week until 11:30.  If I try putting her down later in the day she'll fuss for a bit and then play until I get her.  That's not horrible but starting around 4:30 she turns into the clingy child from he!! and is like that until bedtime at 7:30.  At bedtime she's fine, she'll go down without a fuss for most people and sleep usually until around 7 am.

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I'd throw her in the carrier if it was possible but I'm 31 weeks pregnant and I'm not even supposed to be picking her up in the first place. Plus I want to get this addressed before the baby comes (even though I know full well that she'll probably regress when the baby arrives).

TIA

[lizfu]

I am wondering if she's ready to stay up past 11 am now. My son gradually brought the pm nap later and later after he dropped the morning one. By that age I think he was going down around 12:30- and he usually got up around 7 as well.

I would say try giving her a nice long bedtime routine after lunch- books, rocking, whatever she likes. Watch for the ideal sleepy window when she's rubbing her eyes (or whatever her signs are), but not so long that she's becoming a maniac.  My son fell in LOVE with the Fisher Price crib aquarium at that age as well and at 3 he still uses it to fall asleep. I swear by white noise as well.

GL! I know you NEED that naptime when you're pg, and esp. when the baby comes!

[woodchick]

Could you settle for having her nap at 11 on the three days your DS isn't in school and then get her to have a quiet time after lunch on the two other days?  Then you'd be getting 3 (5 with weekends?) good naps in and some quiet time.

I'm jealous that she goes down without a fuss at 7:30. I'd gladly give up my 23mo's nap in exchange for an easy bedtime :)

[mckittre]

Looking for answers for my 24 month old as well.  He will not nap in the house during the day (no matter what time), but only will sleep 10 or 11 hrs at night, so needs one still.  I do wear him to sleep by going for a walk sometimes and did so throughout my pregnancy (why aren't you supposed to pick her up?).  But walking for an hour or two every day with both a toddler and a 6 week old strapped to me isn't really a viable solution.

[windymama]

Originally Posted by woodchick 

Could you settle for having her nap at 11 on the three days your DS isn't in school and then get her to have a quiet time after lunch on the two other days?  Then you'd be getting 3 (5 with weekends?) good naps in and some quiet time.

I'm jealous that she goes down without a fuss at 7:30. I'd gladly give up my 23mo's nap in exchange for an easy bedtime :)

I tried putting her down around 11 today but it didn't work.  The DD was yawning and rubbing her eyes but still wouldn't go down, I'll try her again tomorrow.  Oh and FWIW my DS was a great napper when he napped (he naps probably once or twice a week now at age 3 1/2), I'd get 2+ hours out of him easily, but he was a horrible sleeper overnight, until he was almost 3.  Sometimes I don't know what's worse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckittre 

Looking for answers for my 24 month old as well.  He will not nap in the house during the day (no matter what time), but only will sleep 10 or 11 hrs at night, so needs one still.  I do wear him to sleep by going for a walk sometimes and did so throughout my pregnancy (why aren't you supposed to pick her up?).  But walking for an hour or two every day with both a toddler and a 6 week old strapped to me isn't really a viable solution.

I've really bad sciatica, lower back issues and a history of preterm labour.  I did wear DD until I was about 20 weeks pregnant though and do carry her until it becomes painful because I have no choice.  Not really sure what to suggest for your LO, hopefully someone will have some ideas.