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Daily naps are an important part of your young child's routine. When your child goes without a nap, he or she can become very irritable and cranky-- and may even have difficulty getting to sleep at night.
Many parents find that their child, who may have been a great napper as a baby, will change his or her sleeping patterns as he or she moves into toddlerhood. While newborn babies generally sleep most of the day, older babies will eventually only need one morning nap and one afternoon nap each day. By the time your baby is around 18 months old, it may be time to transition to one long nap in the early afternoon (don't let it go too late or it will affect bedtime).
Moving your child from a crib to a toddler or regular bed, while a great milestone, may cause a disruption in the nap schedule because suddenly the child is able to climb in and out of bed on his own. Thus, you may think your child is tucked away safely in bed for a mid-afternoon snooze, only to go upstairs an hour later to find him or her playing or frolicking in the bedroom.
Her are some tips for getting your child to take a nap:
-- Set a routine. Schedule naptime for the same time very day. Tuck your child into bed and read him or her a story-- just like you do at night before bed. Give your child a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to snuggle with. A familiar routine will send the signal to your child that it's time to rest.
-- Try to avoid letting your child fall asleep in front of the television. Television is actually a stimulant and will do more harm than good. Also, while taking your child for a ride in the car may cause him or her to zonk out quickly, it's not the best strategy-- chances are, the child will wake up when your attempt to carry him or her into the house. It's best to let a child teach him or herself how to fall asleep instead of using "crutches" to get the job done.
-- Check on him or her often. If you find that your child has hopped out of bed, place him or her back in bed and firmly explain that it is naptime, not play time. Check back often until you're sure the child is asleep.
-- Avoid giving your child sugary snacks and drinks before nap time. Don’t load your child up with chocolate candy or sugar-loaded soft drinks and expect him or her to be in the mood to go to sleep afterwards. Caffeine and sugar will keep your child wired and wide awake.
-- Know that there eventually will be a time when your child no longer needs to nap on a daily basis. It may occur sometime around the age of 4, although some children require naps until they start kindergarten. If your child can get through a day without a nap you will know it; if you find he or she is falling asleep at the dinner table, then that's a clue that they still need a daily nap.
-- Even if your child seems to have outgrown the need for a nap, you may still want to institute a daily "quiet time" hour. Have the child spend some quiet time in his or her room reading books or doing other quiet activities. It will give both you and your child a little time each day to wind down.
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