Getting a Toddler to have a daytime nap
By garnet80
@garnet80 (349)
Australia
November 25, 2007 5:26am CST
Has anyone got any ideas on how to get my toddler to have a nap during the daytimes? Some days he goes down for a sleep and other times he doesn't he's almost 3 and I'm sure that kids that age should be still having a daytime sleep until they are at least 4. My brother and sisters kids all did. I know every kid is different though. He doesn't seem grumpy from lack of sleep either.
2 responses
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
25 Nov 07
You are right, all children are different. Some still nap until age 5, others give up the nap before age 2. If he is sleeping well at night, seems happy and not fussy, he probably doesn't need the nap.
You could try having a 'rest time' instead of nap. Have it at the same time every day, like after lunch. Have him lie down for a short time, maybe 15 minutes, then he has to stay in bed, but can do quiet activities for another 15 minutes, like look at books. This gives him some down time, a chance to be alone and to rest a little, even if he doesn't feel like sleeping. My son enjoys a little time like this sometimes. He is fussy but doesn't need a nap, but a little time to himself helps him regroup and feel better.
@garnet80 (349)
• Australia
25 Nov 07
I'll give that a try. Even his daycare lady says that he doesn't like to go to sleep there. She is really nice and lies down beside him until he is asleep and usually he is the last one to go to sleep. I think it really depends on how active he has been during the day that determines if he does want a nap. And of course if it's during the day and we are in the car he will sometimes fall asleep.
@SwtJenlove (1090)
• United States
10 Jun 08
My son is 2 and what i found works with him is if i lounge on the couch with him while we watch cartoons the only problem with that is that i end up falling asleep too sometimes. But if you get them to where they are relaxed then it helps and normally they will fall asleep. Or just wear them out to where they need a nap out of exhaustion. :)