Tips for getting toddler down to sleep for nap without BF - support needed

[Tapster]

Having to wean 18 month DD got her down from 4-8 feeds a day to 3 in the last three weeks. But today I want to cut down her BF before nap time - I suppose I'll put her in her cot and hopes she settles within 30mins (longest I will let her scream/whinge). DH took her out yesterday and she had only 2 feeds morning and night with no ill effect.

I could take her out in her buggy or the car, but I don't want to do that everyday as then I'll never get any housework done.

Shall I read her a story or try and give her cows milk (she is not a fan so far). Any tips?

Have to wean her as I think am about to have my third early miscarriage in a row, may not be the BF but I can't wait at my age.

[hoppybird]

I accidentally discovered a way for my nap-resistant 21 month old dd to fall asleep during the day. For quite some time, she's been rejecting the cot for day-time naps, even though she is exhausted. She refuses it and doesn't settle at all, despite being able to self-settle in her cot at night-time. I understand this is a common problem She is also bf.

Anyway, one day, she climbed into her pushchair at around lunchtime and I asked if she wanted to go out, and she nodded. I was pleased, as she always naps if I go out at that time. So I put her shoes and socks on, strapped her with her teddy, then I parked her in the hall in a position where she could see the TV, so she'd have something to do while I got ready myself. Due to faffing around and looking for keys and credit cards, she was asleep by the time I was ready. I decided not to go out and got on with housework while she slept for an hour and a half.

I've parked her in this way a few times now and it's worked. She just drops off to sleep. However, I make sure she's not too warm (our hall is quite cool, and she doesn't wear a coat).

We're fortunate that we have a large hall we can park her in. We didn't when we only had ds, also a nap resistant child, and I resorted to all sorts of ridiculousness before he decided he didn't need naps at just turned 2 years old (grrr). What worked with him was playing the same music everyday at nap-time whilst walking around/dancing with him until he dropped off and I was able to put him in his cot. I guess that's not a terrifically great idea as it is essentially rocking to sleep, but it worked at the time and he never needed that at bedtime anyway.

Hope my ramblings might give a few ideas.

[marram]

I am having the same problem with my 20 month old DD. She is having tantrums if I don't feed her to sleep in the day and frequently wakes roaring as soon as I put her down even if she is in a deep sleep. I have resolved to put her in the buggy and only walk as far as it takes to get her to sleep and then scuttle home to get some housework done. Good luck!

[MegBusset]

How did it go today, Tapster?

I cuddled/rocked DS to sleep for his nap until a couple of months ago when he was screaming and yelling despite my best efforts. I needed the loo so left him to it and by the time I got back, he was asleep. Since then he has settled just fine, we do a mini version of the bedtime routine (in sleeping bag, draw curtains, say night night) and off he goes.

On a couple of days when I've been at work, DH has struggled to get him to settle, but on those occasions he's laid him down on our bed and stroked his head til he falls asleep, then moved him into the cot.