How do I get my child to take consistent naps?

Christina - posted on 02/17/2009

Well as for me...I take a nap with my son. For the most part my son is so independent and I love it because I get to have my own time during the day getting my things accomplished and we just get to hang out.  We get up around 8am then I feed him right at 11:30, give him a bottle then some water and we lay down in my bed and nap from 12-2 no later than two because then I give him a bath at 8pm and he is rocking with me asleep from 8:30pm until the next day!  Everyday is the same in that area.  If I have appts or things to accomplish either I do it when my husband is home and get some away time or I do it around his schedule. :0)  Goodluck.

Christina - posted on 02/17/2009

Well as for me...I take a nap with my son. For the most part my son is so independent and I love it because I get to have my own time during the day getting my things accomplished and we just get to hang out.  We get up around 8am then I feed him right at 11:30, give him a bottle then some water and we lay down in my bed and nap from 12-2 no later than two because then I give him a bath at 8pm and he is rocking with me asleep from 8:30pm until the next day!  Everyday is the same in that area.  If I have appts or things to accomplish either I do it when my husband is home and get some away time or I do it around his schedule. :0)  Goodluck.

Kayla - posted on 02/17/2009

my daughter will be 13 months soon i just keep her on some what of a schedual but i find teh best thing is at 11am or so to take her outside for 20min of so let her walk or push her car and such just in teh front yard she tehn sleeps from 12:30 -3pm oh and a warm bottle sitting in her chair watching dora right before to calm her down helps and if she doesnt want to sleep i put her in her bed anyways and after 6-7 min i check on her rub her back and shes out !!

Becky - posted on 02/17/2009

My daughter is just over 2 and I have found that the trick to consistent naps is consistency in schedule, and a routine.  I make sure to remind her that it is going to be nap time soon, then as it gets closer I let her know that it is time to pick out a few books to read before her nap.  I let her choose how many books she wants (usually offering the choice to two or three books), then she picks them out and we snuggle in the chair to read them.  She usually gets up at 9am and we start reading about 1-1:30.  If you are consistant in when she gets up, naps, and goes to bed her body will come to expect it and it should become easier.  Also, remember that the time right before nap time is critical, don't stress, relax and take it slow.  If it takes half an hour to calm her down it's ok, she isn't going to sleep if it becomes a struggle, if you keep it calm she shouldn't even realize that she is falling asleep.  And for most kids routine is key, let her know what to expect.

Terri - posted on 02/17/2009

My 19 month old used to be a horrible napper. Now he sleeps for 2-3 hours. He gets up around 8:00ish and I put him down at 1:00, just a little after lunch. I think you just have to be consistent. I tell him it is time for night night just before taking him upstairs, so we have a litle routine. Obviously it paid off for us b/c he is a great napper now.

Julie - posted on 02/17/2009

I would say around 1 or 2 pm as long as you do it every day. My daughter and i start our nap together, and as soon as she is asleep i sneak out of bed and do the things i cant do with her up! Course some will say you shouldnt do that because they become dependant on it. But i find it works for us.

Lacey - posted on 02/17/2009

i would just lay her down at the same time whenever you want her to take a nap. even if she crys and crys shell fall asleep eventually and get used to sleeping at that time

Katherine - posted on 02/17/2009

My son went through a bad nap period then, as well. He was switching from 2 naps to 1, and it was a struggle to know when to put him down. I just waited for the sleepy signs to start, then either fed him lunch or a snack, and put him down. He'd sleep anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours. He's 16 months now, and generally naps for an hour or two just after lunch, about 5 or 6 hours after he wakes up. Obviously kids are different, but maybe something similar would work for you. Either way, this should pass. Hang in there!