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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

How to cope when daytime naps end?

14 replies

TCsMummy · 17/09/2008 16:36

Any tips for ways of coping now DS (bang on 2 years old) has decided he doesn't want a daytime nap any more? He can cope with a full day with no sleep, but I'm struggling. I've been putting him in his cot and telling him he's going to have a rest, a maybe a sleep if he wants to, then leaving him for an hour. He seems OK with this and I haven't really had any crying but he is constantly noisy, and shouts for me if he drops his toy out of the cot, so my nerves are shredded by the end of it. The 90 minutes in the middle of the day was the time I used to do housework, ironing, cooking, paperwork, email etc. How will I manage without it????

OP posts:

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Mercy · 17/09/2008 16:40

You have my sympathy! Dd was 20 months when she dropped her nap (having only started having one long nap at 5 months old).

Tbh you just get used to being tired and being disorganised the whole time.

The upside is that your ds may sleep longer at night now (fingers crossed!)

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CantSleepWontSleep · 17/09/2008 16:42

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midnightexpress · 17/09/2008 16:42

My two (20 mo and nearly 3 yrs) still generally conk out for as long as I let them in the middle ofthe day, but on Weds they go to nursery in the pm and need to be there by 1.30, and it's been a bit of a hasle gettingthem to eat and have a sleep before 1pm. So today I am experimenting with no nap and just some 'Quiet Time' after lunch. This involces all of us under a blanket on the sofa and a bit of TV. DS2 largely ignored instructions and proceeded as normal (ie Godzilla) but ds1 took it all v seriously and snuggled up for 45 mins. But then he would do anything for a bit of CBeebies. I'll let you know how they are by bedtime .

In fact the only reason I tried it is that they managed fine on Saturday with no nap when DP was in charge for the day and didn't manage to get them down, so I suspect they'll probably be fine. We'll see.

But am dreading this becoming a permanent feature - that hour was soooooo useful.

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midnightexpress · 17/09/2008 16:43

Sorry for appalling spelling in that previous post. Am trying to get everything done that I didn't manage at lunchtime

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Weegle · 17/09/2008 16:47

A recent thing here too. And some days he wil lstill have a nap. But regardless, even if I can tell he's not going to sleep, he's put to bed. Usually he'll chat to himself for an hour so I can sit and chill. If he's being a pickle then I'll go in, put the light on dim and give him a selection of books and toys and say he has to stay in bed with them as mummy needs a sleep. So far this is working! Not sure whether it will last for long! I strictly use that "quiet" time to rest/make phonecalls etc. Any housework I need to do has to be done when he is awake and he either can "help" me, or play independently.

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Whoopee · 17/09/2008 18:30

My daughter is 22 months old and stopped napping a week ago. I feel your pain.

To do my emails: I bought her a second-hand V-Tech kids' laptop on eBay. Stops her interfering with my computer.

To cook: I sit her in her high-chair, a safe distance from the cooker, and give her playdough and cookie cutters, or split peas/lentils and plastic cups to play with.

To get the laundry done: I ask her to help me load the washing machine with clothes. Takes longer, but it keeps her quiet and she's happy when she thinks she's helping.

To make a phone call: we have two phones, and I disconnect one and let her talk on that while I talk on the other one.

To do paperwork: I sit her next to me in a highchair at the table and give her pencils and paper to scribble with.

To do the washing-up: I put her on a step-stool in front of me, keep the water temperature warm, not too hot, and let her splash about in the bubbles.

She is very domestic, and when I have to sweep the kitchen floor, I give her the little brush from the dustpan and let her rearrange the dirt while I make sure the worst of it is dealt with. She's also happy with a damp cloth: she thinks she's cleaning the house. Running water has her fascinated, too.

Oddly, I find it a little easier now she doesn't nap. Now I don't have to make sure we're at home at naptime: there were so many times she fell asleep in my arms on the Tube and I had to carry her home. She used to nap right in the middle of the day and it made arranging to do anything quite awkward. I'm trying to look on the bright side.

I've always been a stay-at-home mother but I've decided to send her to nursery part time, for just two afternoons a week, to give me a chance to do the many DIY jobs that are piling up around here. I'm not going to let her help me tile the bathroom.

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cory · 17/09/2008 18:32

With dd I went to enormous lengths to get her down for her daytime nap. With ds I was too tired, so I just went with the flow and let him give it up. I found I got less tired that way. And he still needs less sleep than she does though he is only 8 and she is nearly 12.

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Morgan · 17/09/2008 18:36

Quiet time with tv worked for me!

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halia · 19/09/2008 12:01

with difficulty, here's our 'solutions'

Take DS out in pram somewhere (walk on the way there) then leave at 12 (he used to nap 12.30-2) and see if he drops off in pram on way home, if he does stop for coffee somewhere on route and let him sleep. If he doesn't take a long route home and let him sit sitll and chill.

Time car journeys even if its just to the supermarket for that time.

Stock up on Dsiney and popcorn

Go up to bed yourself and see if DS/DD will cuddle up with you (not good in our house as he thinks its game of bouncy bouncy tigger boy)

Generally grit your teeth and remind yourself that when preschool starts you will get back 2-3 hrs in the afternoon/morning and for now the house will be a tip and you will eb tired!

(can't let Ds help with housework as it ends up with tears, cut fingers, broken dishes, broken washing machine (dont' ask))

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hillbilly · 19/09/2008 19:55

I also wondered how I was going to manage without my 2 hrs "off" in the middle of the day. But after a couple of weeks battling over naps I decided to scrap them and now dd goes to bed at 7pm sharp (instead of 7.30) and is asleep by 5 past!

If she does have a nap for any reason, she will be awake in the evening till at least 9pm. So at 7pm every day I celebrate the end of naps!

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ilovecake · 19/09/2008 22:27

You and DS will get used to it - but it takes a while getting used to being together allllllll day! My DS gave up nap and just before age 2 - not 2.3. I put him to bed at 6.30 instead of 7pm which helps because i get more of an evening instead (and time with DD 5) - and he is really ready for bed by that time. If i need some space or to get some stuff done then he watchs a DVD or some Cbeebies and this helps him to chill out too.

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spudballoo · 19/09/2008 22:32

I feel v fortunate but also fear the End of Naps so much. My DS1, just turned 3, still naps for 2 hours a day ...at the same time as DS2. If I let them, they'd sleep for 2.5/3 hours but then bedtime gets tricky.

I find it so full on with them, DS1 3 is easy but DS2 20 mths is hard going and the two of them together is rough. I live for their naptime so I can regroup!

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oneplusone · 20/09/2008 15:37

Me roo! I am DREADING the end of daytime naps for DS. He generally naps from 1 til 3 and then i have to get him up to collect DD from school. So that 2 hour break was my breather before having both DC's at home in the afternoon. I must admit i have panicked and found him a play group with afternoon spaces and will be trying him out there 2 days next week. I know i can't cope without a break in the day....a bit of a weakling I guess!