Transitioning to one nap.

[Anonymous]

Ok, so Ian’s in daycare 4 days a week and slowly he’s been transitioning to one nap in the afternoon. If daycare puts him down in the morning, he just talks to himself and doesn’t sleep, If I put him down in the morning, he screams bloody murder for the entire time. So, we’ve cut it out. Problem is, he gets really cranky and overtired about 10:30 ish until he goes down for his nap at 1pm (have to stay consistent with daycare times). He even fell asleep when I fed him lunch at 12pm in his high chair on Friday-cute, but threw him off the entire day and was exhausted by dinner time. He just get’s clingy and v. needy.

Any ideas on coping/or adjusting? Since it’s my first child, is this normal when they switch? I guess just suck it up for awhile? Or keep putting him down for alone time in crib?

Appreciate it everyone!

[Anonymous]

When Myles was transitioning I used to put him down for a short nap in the morning. I’d wake him after 30 minutes. Or, I’d take him out to run errands or something (I like to go out everyday so this worked well for me) and he’d take a little cat nap in the car or stroller which helped him to make it until naptime.

One thing that worked really well for him at home when I wanted him to take a short cat nap in the am was to put him somewhere where he’d relax and likely fall asleep, but not actually put him in his crib. For instance I’d put him in his bouncey chair in front of a video, or in his pack and play with his blankie and a few books. He’d relax because he was tired but he didn’t think I was putting him to sleep so he didn’t fight it. He’d usually drift off happily, and since he was not in his bed with the door shut he’d only sleep a short time which was perfect.

1:00 pm may be a little late for a young one napper. Myles used to go down at noon for his one nap. He still goes down by 12:30 90% of the time.

I hope that helps some. I think it’s a difficult transition for most toddlers to go from two naps to one. It will be much easier in just a few short months.

[Anonymous]

Tracy,

I would agree with Christiine about the small cat nap in the AM to give him enough juice to make it until his afternoon nap.

Christine,

I have a quick question for you…do you feed myles his lunch before he goes down for that nap? Brianna’s first nap is getting later and later (used to be 9…now it is anywhere between 10-11) But even when she goes down at 11 she still takes another afternoon nap at 2-3 and is in bed by 6:30-7:30. She only naps for an hour each time (sometimes not even that in the afternoon which is backwards I know, but it works for her) Anyway, I know I am long winded, I was just wondering about the lunch becuase right now Brianna eats lunch around 12:30-1…I know that will get earlier when I take out that breastfeed so maybe that is the solution…am I rambling or what! 🙂

b’s mom2006-12-3 10:53:49

[Anonymous]

Yeah, all three of my children eat lunch around 11 am which is probably earlier than most kids but it works with our schedule. Liza has to be at preschool by 12:15 and Myles is ready for bed by noonish so we have to do lunch pretty early. He only takes the one nap and it’s usually long (at least two hours, sometimes 2 1/2).

[Anonymous]

When my daughter started to transition down to 1 nap, I would let her watch Sesame Street on PBS at 10 (her old nap time). She never really watched TV before this, so she was entranced, and while she was certainly sleepy and sometimes would nod off, it helped her to just sit still and rest for awhile. This also allowed me time to take a shower! I did have to move her lunch and afternoon nap up for awhile too. Would daycare put him down earlier than 1 for you?.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Yes, 1pm is too late for him to wait. I put him down again yesterday at 9:45am for just a 1/2 hour and although he cried a bit, he was so much better during the day after waking. He clearly still needs an am rest. I wish he’d sit quietly but he’s such a mover-running everywhere, climbing, etc. so I don’t think he’ll sleep anywhere else. Also, while we’re still on Elecare (although day two of yogurt trial so hopefully we’ll be transitioning to something better tasting soon) he still uses tv for first bottle at 7am. I’d hate to put him in front of the tv again at 10. But good suggestion! Also, it’s a home daycare in nyc (very small). They have to put them down together or he won’t sleep probably anyways (too much excitement). I suspect that’s why mornings are hard there as he’s the only one who still naps in am.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone – 1 pm is really late for him. Marisa is on one nap and

it usually starts around 11:30 or 12. Can they compromise and put everyone

down at 12:30 even instead of 1?

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