Toddler Naps -- 1 or 2

I had a similar situation with my 22 mo old. She goes to daycare off and on and seemed to sleep better and longer at daycare. I finally adjusted my day so that her (only) nap was at the same time as daycare's naptime. Now she does great! She takes one nap in the early afternoon. She too gets really cranky at times but I think it's just hitting "the terrible two's" and wanting to be more independant! I did find that more stimulation in the morning time helps with naptime more. I don't get much done in the mornings but she needs playtime...

Hi N.,

The nap transition can be tough for little ones, but just try laying him down right after lunch, and hopefully it won't be long until he get use to the new schedule. Sleeping is a habit, so it can be really tough to adjust to less sleep...maybe move bedtime up a little, too, at first.

Best of luck!

C.

Hi Nikki
I wouls say only give him one nap but make be between 11:00 and noon that he lays down and hopefully he will sleep a good 2 to 21/2 hours. This is what worked best with my son. to lay him down right after lunch. Good luck :)T.

I would say to go to 1 nap a day 7 days a week and up bedtime if he seems cranky or tired earlier in the day. It's a tough transition that I remember well with both of my children. You'll look back shortly and think "why did I struggle with that so much"...it'll be over before you know it and then you can slowly push back bedtime again as his body adjusts.

Best of luck!

We're at 1 nap with our nearly 20 month old, but we've definitely noticed that when she's home with us (3 days a week), she goes down for a nap earlier, and sleeps longer than when she's at daycare. She usually takes her nap from 12:30-3:30 or 4 at home, but only naps from 1:30-3:30 at daycare. Maybe you could try something similar? An earlier, and longer nap in the middle of the day when he's home? Good luck, we're in the middle of the crabby, toddler, mama phase, too.

Hi N.,

I have 21 month old twin boys (9/7/06!) and you can imagine how fun cranky times are with two.

My policy is that if they are tired (cranky, fussy, whiny, whatever) then go to sleep. Sometimes it seems the only thing they need is a 30 min quick nap and they are happy, helpful, better-behaved children. Sometimes they don't sleep at all, they just lay there quietly and are fine (or talk to each other between the cribs). Either way, it makes a huge difference.

With all the problems sleep deprivation can cause, I think the benefits to being restful outweigh the benefits of routine naps.

I know how it feels to be in your husband's shoes. When school is not in session (I'm in college full time, not working) I have the boys all day every day. The boys behave much better when their father is home. It gets tough. Not only does the sleep help with their behavior, but it helps me stay patient with them.

I think your child will let you know when he is ready for one nap/day. We are starting to see signs of that in our house now.

Good luck!

If you try to keep his naps on the same schedual with daycare he will eventurlaly adjust. It may take a few weeks. My daughter gave up naps and does the cranky fight at bed time.

Hi N.. I have a 23 month old son. I have been through what you are going through. My son used to take two naps during the day. A couple of months ago he just started to take one nap during the day. He usually naps from 1130am to 1:30pm. Sometimes he gets cranky during the day and we just try to keep him busy. Over time it just seems to work itself out. Good Luck.

Could be the reason he is doing well with one nap at day care is that they probably have activities in the morning and he isn't left to occupy himself. Have Dad do some activities like playing ball, crafts, something they do together. It will keep him awake and occupied so he won't be quite so cranky. Plan lunch at 11 or 11:30 instead of noon and then put him down for a nap afterwards before he gets involved in playing. He should be ready if he hasn't had a morning nap. This is what we did at the day care I worked at for years. Reading him a story like he does at bedtime or putting on a childrens cd for quiet listening will help also. My kids always liked going to sleep with a Raffity tape playing (that ways way back in the 80's).

Good luck dad... it amazes and thrills me when dad's stay home with the kids. My husband never even changed a diaper back then!

I think a routine schedule it best...I have a 21month old and he only takes 1 nap a day but they are anywhere from 2-3.5 hours. He seems to be fine with it but we have been doing this for a long time now probably since he was about 17months or so. I also put him to bed around 8-8:30 every night. The 2 naps 2days a week could be throwing him off, just try and have a consistant schedule and I am sure your child will adapt to it.

The name of this game is ADJUSTMENT. Yours more than your son's. This is always a tense couple of weeks but soon he will decide how many naps he really needs and it will balance out. The important thing right now is that you NOT give in to his demands, even if you think they are reasonable. Do not feed a tantrum or it will grow bigger the next time.

During this stage, when there is a tantrum, I would calmly put him in his crib and walk out of the room. Mine always calmed down on their own...eventually, but I figured I shouldn't have to be an audience for a really bad performance like that. If they went to sleep, they needed a nap. If they just burned off steam and then got quieter, I would go in and get them when the "storm" had past. It is amazing how unrewarding a tantrum is when no one is around to help feed it.