Naps.. or lack there of....

Sharon - posted on 09/14/2009

I need some napping advice, too! My 10 1/2 month old was taking 2 great naps a day. Not so much anymore... She's become a lot more mobile lately, and all she wants to do is sit up in her crib and play. I know she's tired, but she won't lay down and relax.



When it's naptime (or when I know she's sleepy), I give her her soother and blankey to settle her down. We read a book together in her darkened room. Then I'll lay her down, but she almost ALWAYS gets back up and starts chatting to herself. Sometimes, if I just leave her, she'll whine and then fall asleep on her own, but mostly she'll just keep herself awake, sitting on her bum.



Is this just a phase? Has anyone else gone through this? (At nighttime, she doesn't do this. She'll go right to sleep within 5 mins of being put down.)

Shonda - posted on 09/08/2009

I am in the same boat. My son used to sleep 1-2 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in afternoon. Now, he might sleep 45 min in the morning and maybe 1.5 hours in the afternoon.

I might have to transition him to one long afternoon nap, but I don't want to this early. I hear it's closer to 18 months. That's 9 months away!!

Jocelyn - posted on 09/06/2009

my daughter did that for about a week & then went back to napping for 1.5-2 hours...just seemed to be a phase she went through

Theresa - posted on 09/05/2009

My son will be 10 months on Sept 11 and he takes 2 naps a day. His first one is after a bottle at 9 and if hes home he sleeps on average 2 hours but at my mothers only about an hour and in the afternoon he takes on at home about 230 for on average 2 hours. then goes to bed 730 and sleeps the night (unless hes teething then he doesnt sleep that well at night)

Heather - posted on 09/05/2009

My 9 1/2 month old daughter takes excellent naps at home, typically 1.5-2 hours in the morning and afternoon. My husband and I both work so she is in daycare 5 days a week, grandma 3 days a week and a friend's house the other 2, and at either place she sleeps for maybe 2 hours total. Regardless how many or long the naps are she still goes to bed at night around the same time. Part of me thinks she doesn't take much for naps because she doesn't want to miss anything. I also will let her cry it out if she fusses when I put her down but I am not sure if the others are.



Good luck Susan.

Heidi - posted on 09/04/2009

I have a 2 year old and a 10 month, she used nap morning and afternoon, however this interferred with her brothers wanting to go outside, so fresh air fresh air, I take them both out from about 930 to 12 come in for lunch and change then I can get her down for a 3 hour nap. Walk to the park some pusjes on the swing seeing other children keeps her awake and happy, this has been working for about 2 months now, quality sleep over quantity. The child may sleep some of the outings at first but children love routine. Rain day, physical stimulation. Good luck

Ashley - posted on 09/04/2009

I have a 10 month old and am experiencing this same problem. I have a doula that specializes in infant sleep that I consult with every so often to make sure my daughter is getting enough sleep and this is what she told me.

Babies are not ready for 1 nap until a minimum age of 15 months, and this is early for most babies. The baby should be in bed no later than 6pm to get 12 hours of sleep as their natural sleep clock will wake them up within the 6am hour. They should only be awake for 2 hours in the morning before they need a nap and then 2 hours after they wake up from their morning nap the afternoon nap should begin. Once they wake up from their afternoon nap they can be awake until 6pm (generally they are up for about 3.5-4hrs before bedtime). So now my daughter's schedule looks like this:
Up for the day around 6:30am
Nap #1 8:30am (this should be 90 min-2hrs long)
Nap #2 starts 2 hours after they wake up from the first nap, so around 12'ish, and should be 90min-2hrs long.

I made the mistake and thought my daughter was ready for just one nap and she did okay for about 3-4 days and then took a turn for the worse. So now we are doing some correcting so sometimes it will take her more than an hour to fall asleep for her first nap, but I just make sure she sleeps at least an hour and try to minimize the disruption it will cause to the rest of the day so it doesn't cause her bedtime to be off. What happens if the baby goes to bed too late and doesn't get what they need at night then they wake up tired, they will fight sleep, and will not rest well for that first nap. For me, it's taking a few days but I am seeing some progress! I hope you do too.

Cherity - posted on 09/04/2009

My daughter varies... ususally she naps 12-2:30, but only if she is in her own crib. Although some days she'll sleep for 30 min-1hr anywhere else and thats it for the whole day!

Christa - posted on 09/04/2009

my little one has never been a big napper unless she is sick. If she is feeling well she will only take a couple of 15-30 min naps during the day. However she does sleep through the night from around 7:30 pm until around 7:00 am.

Shamey - posted on 09/04/2009

Some kids as they get older will not nap. My little boy is 6 now and he has never had more then maybe a handful of naps ever. No matter what I try. He gets up at the same time and goes to bed at the same time every day but he still does not nap. Have you talked to your doctor?