How do I get my toddler to take a nap?

Asked by MomUv5 {113}
3/4/2010 7:20:27 PM

My 2 year old son refuses to stay in bed when I put him down for a nap. He keeps getting back up and will not fall asleep until he is so tired he cannot keep his eyes open. Naptime is turning into a battleground. Any good suggestions? My older children were not like this!

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Answered by Lo1414 {127}
3/4/2010 7:29:12 PM

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Maybe you could begin calling it rest time, instead?

Rather than wear both of you out perhaps you could turn it into a fun time rather than a showdown.

Don't insist he nap - only that he spend a pre-determined time in his bed. There are lots of activities a child can do on a bed. He can look at picture books, work an age-appropriate puzzle, play with blocks or cars or whatever quiet activity he enjoys.

Chances are he'll still get so tired he can't keep his eyes open but hopefully he'll fall asleep without all the fuss and battleground background that's becoming associated with nap time.

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Answered by brittle91 {102}
3/10/2010 6:03:48 PM

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Not all kids are going to take naps but I think if you get them in the habit, and are consistent, they'll get the rest they need. For example, choose the time that you want them to have each day. For my 18 mo old and my 3 year old, it's two hours, every day, from 1:00 to 3:00. The younger one always sleeps but the older one may not sleep. She can read books or play with her doll but she knows that she is in bed and it's quiet time for 2 hours every day.

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Answered by danismom {153}
3/10/2010 6:37:52 PM

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with my daughter, she needs a nap everyday or else she turns into a monster by suppertime!! so when she keeps getting up and getting up, i set consequences. for example she may have a stuffed animal or two in her bed to sleep with, she has a three strikes your out type of deal....if she gets out of bed that third time she losses one of her sleeping buddies. of course there is the heart breaking cry afterward but she always calms down and drifts off to sleep and goes for anywhere between 2 and 2 1/2 hours...

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