Afternoon nap?

[Evesmama]

my dd (2 nex tweek) has only recently started having such a performance when she has to go for her afternoon nap.

even if i say anything about a nap(like just now!), she starts crying and says she wants to do X, watch X etc, just so she doesnt have to go.

a couple of weeks ago, i let her go without nap for 2 or 3 days, but she was so tired and crabby by tea time and then woke up early doors, it wasnt worth it, so 'made' her have nap.

she was fine for a couple of days then this!

she sobs uncontrolably and says mummy, but wot listen to me when i answer her and wont stop crying and thats how she falls asleep(eventually)

its wearing me out!, she slept on friday night till 6.40am which was great and i actually was up before her, so we stupidly thought this was the time she started sleeping better as shed done it day before too!

but next night and last night was back to middle of night waking and not settling till i put her in spare bed with me

any ideas or tips to help?....im getting desperate now as she's been like this since she was tiny

[Evesmama]

anyone?

[chipmonkey]

Evesmama, have you tried controlled crying at naptime?

[nailpolish]

evesmama

my dd (2.5) goes through phases of this, i still think she needs a nap during the day, but she has times she kicks up a fuss

what i do is, i let her stay up, i lie her on the couch when she is looking sleepy (usually around 3pm) and i cover her up with her fave blanket. i put on her favourite film (finding nemo) and give her a cup of juice nearby. i then go and potter around in the kitchen for a while, nothing noisy. most of the time she falls asleep, or if she doesnt i know shes at least had a rest for a half hr or so. if she does fall asleep i just leave her, i dont take her upstairs to bed or anything

hth

[Evesmama]

dont think i could handle cc
but the curl up on sofa is good idea...thats to say if i can get her to sit still!

[Newbarnsleygirl]

I do a similar thing to nailpolish with my 18 month dd. The only difference is I put her in her car seat and stick on Toy Story.

[Davros]

I have done the couch thing once but I'm scared of starting a pattern of behaviour and then having problems about going to bed at night iyswim. My DD, who is also 2, naps only sometimes, probably twice a week. I find that mostly she doesn't need it, depending on what time she got up and how she slept at night. She tends to flag a bit mid-afternoon but soon perks up with a snack/drink and a rest. You might also find that she will nap earlier than you think, I mean don't wait until she is tired as I find its usually too late in the day then and she is cranky. So if she's going to have a sleep I put her to bed when she seems quite lively but its a good gap since she got up. It is surprising how yawning suddenly sets in when the nappy gets changed and the cot is in view.

[geogteach]

I have similar problems with DD, 21 months, I vary between letting her not have the nap or putting her in the cot where she cries until she falls asleep. If she is really crabby I put her in the car and take her for a drive. When DS1 was little used to walk him round the block in the buggy and could then let him sleep there when we got back, that is more difficult now as I have 2 others to take along!

[Evesmama]

well still no night sleep!
yesterday, let her go strainght thru'(tantrums and all) instead of making her go to bed, thinking she would sleep better!!nope woke up screaming????at 3ish this morning
went back to sleep in spare bed and woke again at 6am to get up.

just been sat talking to homestart and she(eve) was on my knee, i thought she started bouncing but jackie said she was dropping off!!! it was half ten!!!!! after bout 20 mins, took her upstairs, she was out for the count and floppy, but as soon as i laid her down...wide awake!!!

whats going on?