Struggling with Nap time for my 2 1/2 year old

Coco - posted on 09/20/2011

Maybe she needs more attention during wake up time?

Kim - posted on 09/07/2011

Been there! Only it happened to me right after she turned 2. I gave up on her taking naps, because she is a good sleeper at night - but I do put her in her room with her toys and let her play by herself for a while. It helps my sanity and hers too. She needs alone time just like I do. We call it quiet time. She likes that I put her in her room and tell her she does not have to take a nap just play with her toys. She might cry for the first little while, but then she gets distracted by her toys and she is fine.

Shawna - My daughter has gone through phases like that, in my experience she will eventually get tired enough and catch up on sleep. When we put my daughter to bed at night we shut the door - allowing her to get out of bed and play with her toys if she wants, she is really good at putting herself back in her bed when she is tired. But I wouldn't get too worried. Phases come and go!

Good luck to both of you!

Shawna - posted on 09/06/2011

i'm going through the same exact thing I have a two year old she will be three in january and i'm so overwhelmed my mom watches her while i work and she doesn't nap ever and shell try and fall asleep at 5pm which i don't let her and she doesn't go to bed til midnight and is up at 730am. I can tell she's so exhausted so if anyone can give me some advice itd be appreciated.. ive tried the whole giving her dinner at 5 bath between 630 7 and getting her to bed but she continues to get back up out of bed just please give any advice... thank you.

Allison - posted on 08/12/2011

Thank you both for your input! This week we are going through the I need Mommy to Breathe. Its been really exhausting and its making naptime/life harder. I tried this week with no nap and it was very unsuccessful. She crashed at 5:00pm everyday. So next week I have got to put nap back in. We will see how it goes, I am hoping that next week is a better week because Im still struggling with her which I am sure is normal due to all the changes but holy cow im exhausted.

Katie - posted on 08/10/2011

How is she if she doesn't have a nap during the day? Does she crash and get all teary and can't eat dinner properly? Or is she completely fine, like she DID have a nap? If she is fine, can handle the no naptime and is able to enjoy the rest of the day, maybe she's ready to give up the nap. Most children give up their nap around 2.5-3 years of age, so she seems fairly normal to me. I was a nanny before having my own son, so I have experienced this in MANY children! If the nap does look like it is going to end, set up some books and/or colouring activities in her room so she (and you!) can still get some down time during the day. Hope that helps!!

Antoinette - posted on 08/07/2011

Awh I feel for you. EDITED to agree with above post: where maybe she is ready to give up nap time. Otherwise I'd say it's just one of those things you have to stick to your guns about similar to establishing and maintaining nighttime bedtime routines - have hugs/story right nap time, put down, if stays down come back and say good girl, nap time if she doesn't stay put don't engage in conversation just say naptime and put her back down (and repeat x a million some days it seems). And probably it'll be a little bit of a jealousy thing, baby gets hugs all the time (kids don't always differentiate between hugs, feeds, burping etc) so try to make sure you allow for some special one on one time and also maybe sometimes get her to help where she can with the baby so she doesn't feel excluded/left out. Perhaps even get her a baby doll of her own so she can copy you. Good Luck!!!!