11 months and no nap times.. HELP!

Jessica - posted on 02/12/2011

Our son is sleeping through the night, for the most part (if he wakes at night, it is because of a need for a diaper change or can't find his nuk). He naps twice a day, usually. Once in awhile (usually at daycare) he will not nap in the afternoon or morning, but then falls apart about an hour sooner in the evening and will then go to bed earlier and sleep later.

Crying it out is not a bad thing... they are crying because they are fighting you, not necessarily because they need something. if you first make sure they don't need food or a diaper change, and you check on them periodically, you are doing your child no harm.

Good luck!

Sabrina - posted on 02/10/2011

Is she teething? My daughter is 10months and I give her some baby Tylenol before she naps and that has helped her. I would give her the tylenol when she was up and happy but then her doc said to give it before naps. She would sleep for only 30 minutes but once I started giving her the tylenol before she napped she slept longer (1hr to 2hrs). Good luck!

Evie - posted on 02/09/2011

My daughter is 10 and a half months and didn't nap for the whole month of November (about 8 months), until I figured out that I was keeping her up too long in the morning. I didn't try put her down until about noon. She usually wakes about 8 and if I put her down at 10.30am now she always sleeps for and hour and a half. I'm still struggling with the afternoon naps though, but one is better than none. Maybe try put her back down about 2-3 hours after she wakes in morning. Fingers crossed for you xo

Kelsey - posted on 02/09/2011

My 11 month old used to sleep from 11-12 and then again at 3-4 with a bedtime at 8 pm and slept in until 830 in the morning, and then when she was about 10 months old she started fighting her naps as well...she would stand in her crib and cry and talk and yell for sometimes upwards of an hour! So I started only putting her down for one nap a day at about 2 pm after she had a 1 o'clock lunch and a bottle and she would sleep until about 4 or 4:30 and now her bedtime is 9 pm, but she still sleeps until 8:30 in the morning so it all works out. I would try feeding her a snack and a bottle before her naps just because then she goes to sleep witha full tummy. I also find she sleep sbetter if I take her out for some fresh air before I try to put her down. In the summer I would take her out for an afternoon walk every day before her nap, and it made me feel better too! Good luck :)

Allison - posted on 02/09/2011

Danielle, if she isn't complaining, I would count your blessings! I know I would have a lot more patience during the day if I got a good night's sleep. Though I do know that I cherish those daytime naps! That is when I manage to shower, get a few things done around the house and have my tea or coffee in peace without a little lady climbing my legs! Good luck!

Danielle - posted on 02/09/2011

Allison in regards to your previous comment, she is usually super happy during the day, she can sometimes get a little owly.... she plays constantly and is walking around following me everywhere I go!

I guess from what everyone else is saying I can't complain much! I am pretty blessed to have her sleep through the night! Thank you everyone!

Allison - posted on 02/09/2011

I have a hazelwood necklace for teething, and use camilia (and tylenol/advil when it really gets bad)
I think we are going to have to get tough in the middle of the night, usually she goes down for naps/bedtimes without too much fuss, its really her nightime waking that is getting to me!

Brittany - posted on 02/09/2011

My daughter fights naps all the time and bed time some of the time. She still has no teeth so I am hoping that rightnow she is teething. I feed her and lay her down at around 11 and she cries for about 10 minutes before falling asleep, she has a small stuffed animal and a mobile that sings. But she still cries. Then I feed her again for our nap time at 2pm. My 2 year old sleeps from 2 till 5 most of the time and my 10.5 month old cries for about 10 minutes again, but she normally sleeps for over an hour at this time. Good luck!

Allison - posted on 02/09/2011

in the same boat over here... I think I'd have much more energy & patience if I had a decent night's sleep!

Allison - posted on 02/09/2011

OMG mine naps in the day, but wakes up min2 - 6 times a night!! Cries and wont go back to sleep, sometimes I am up with her for a stretch of 1.5hrs in the middle of the night... I can understand how you want her to nap..is she crabby during the day?

DELONE - posted on 02/07/2011

BE GRATEFUL YOU ARE VERY FORTUNATE. MY BABY IS 10 MONTHS ANBD I HAVE NOT SLEPT FOR THE ENTIRE NIGHT SINCE SHE'S BEEN HERE. SHE WAKES UP SOMETIMES EVERY 2 HOURS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE EXHAUSTED.SO BE GRATEFUL THAT SHE DOES'NT NAP DURING THE DAY.

Robin - posted on 02/06/2011

What are you doing in the morning with her? Both of my kids nap better if they've had some fresh air first...

Andrea - posted on 02/05/2011

Yeah, sleeping all night is a definate plus! Also 12 hours a night is really good. Babies this age sleep anywhere from 12-16 hours and their sleep needs vary. With 12 hours per night straight, she just might be sleeping so well that during the day she just doesn't feel ready to take a nap at noon. Maybe try waking her a half hour earlier in the morning and then delaying nap time until 1 or even 2pm. Watch for when she starts acting tired then choose that time for a day nap. She may be more ready to sleep at that point. This also helps me: you could put her in a swing for awhile before naptime to help get her sleepy or take her for a walk before. Make sure she's busy during the day with lots of activities and physical excercise and then make sure nap time is really structured and routine. Maybe read a book and rock before every time or something of the sort. Mine started fighting morning naptime at about 8 months, so I switched to one nap at about 1pm. Now she naps with no problems. Keep up the great mommy work! :)

Sherry - posted on 02/04/2011

If your child WILL NOT go to sleep any other way, even though they are totally exhasusted but by letting them cry for a while and you check on them regularly then there is NO HARM in doing that. I was told by a Registered Nurse to let my older child cry if necessary in favor of her getting some sleep.When a baby has been awake over 7 hours straight and so tired they cry no matter what letting them cry for a few minutes nd checking on them regularly won't seem so bad.

Mellissa - posted on 02/04/2011

With all respect to all mothers I would argue that letting them cry themselves to sleep does hurt them just in ways you won't neccesary see. I would try anything else first. There is a reason parents feel sick when their babies cry it's because the baby is communicating some need. Don't feel that your child is trying to manipulate or control you and keep in mind that they grow up fast and as wearing as all this mom/me time is some day you will really miss it. My first wasn't put down until he was 18m he was always held. However one day he just decided people where good and was outgoing after that. He is braver than most children his age and is not afraid to try new things or make mistakes. I equate a lot of this to the fact that whenever as an infant he asked "am I okay, are you there?" he got a resounding "yes!".

Mellissa - posted on 02/04/2011

My daughter also hates to nap, she just doesn't want to miss anything. We co sleep and she sleeps from about 8:30 to 5:30 and then I can gain 1-3 hrs more sleep through nursing. Obviously not enough hours by any judgement. So I watch during the day and when she starts to look a little sleeping (looses coordination, rubs eyes) I try to carry her around in a sling. She gets to feel like she is part of everything and the rocking of me walking around and cleaning up puts her to sleep (also great exercise for me). Now some babies you can lay down at this point. She will let me but sleeps twice as long if I wear her. My son had to be nursed to sleep and accompanied through the entire nap. I miss our daily 3 hours sleep.

Rebecca - posted on 02/03/2011

Yes, I would try one nap a day, and maybe delay the time to the afternoon, that way she has bounced all her wiggles out in the morning, and may be more likely to go down in the afternoon. She may just be the type that doesn't need much sleep in the day time! I have to say you are lucky tho! My son takes two short naps around the same time every day, but is still waking up two times a night! Wish he would sleep all night! :)

Annamaria - posted on 02/02/2011

hey my baby was an incredible sleeper both at nap time and night time.. come ten months she just blatantly started to refuse napping after lunch which eventually led to refusal of night time napping.
What i've got it down to is teeth pain and seperation anxiety.. she gets 30 mins max and wakes up i believe in pain. What i started doing was i leave her cry for 5 mins then go in.. never pick her up but try calm her, and leave again... every time i leave an additional 2 mins before going to calm her. At first it didnt work but i would keep her in the room to make her understand that was her place at this time. After 2 days she started to drift off.. everyday a little earlier than the previous. She's now back into her usual after lunch nap. i think she just needed to know that im there and will always come back for her.
I hope this helps :)

Tamara - posted on 02/02/2011

I agree with becky, comforting is ok if you then put her back and leave her to sleep. Dont put her to sleep in your arms when she calms down put her in bed again. It may take days of doing it but as soon as she realise you are not going to give in she should stop.. dont pick her up unless she is hysterical

Sherry - posted on 02/01/2011

I know this sounds awful, but you may have to jus let her cry if you want her to nap. My daughter does the same and she fights sleep like crazy, even though she is crabby and obviously tired. I put her in her playpen for her nap and i know she has eaten and had a clean diaper so i will let her cry. It won't hurt her and that is how i finally was able to get her back on a good sleep routine at night. She had been doing great and suddenly wanted to have me sit by her crib while she played and "showed off" instead of going to sleep, and would end up crying even if i stayed with her. They just have to know that you are not going to give in and they will stop doing it. Now i put her to bed at night, tell her i love her and goodnight, go out and close the door and she goes right off to sleep. She cries at nap time still but usually it doesnt last too long, and she only takes one nap a day usually.

Krystal - posted on 02/01/2011

My son will have to naps during the day. 10.30-12 and then 3.30-5.00. Just getting him to sleep thru the night now.

Shauna - posted on 01/31/2011

my son naps from 9 am till 11 am and 1 pm till 3 pm

But he gets up several times during the night... so i think id rather have your situation!!!!

Danielle - posted on 01/30/2011

I try to put her down right after lunch which is usually 12:30-1:00 but im lucky if I get half hour!

Becky - posted on 01/30/2011

my son does the same.. i can usaully get him down for one though

Becky - posted on 01/30/2011

what time do you put her down during the day? She might not want a morning or night nap and fighting it... at 11months to 18 months, babies typically start fighting naps and will only have one nap a day... try putting her down at 12:00pm for one nap a day...