How will the nursery get DD (10 mo) to nap during the day?

[JessJess3908]

DD is a pain to get to sleep during the day -only pushing her around in the buggy or leaving her to cry for 10 mins then BF her seem to get her to sleep.

So how on earth will the nursery be able to persuade her to yake a nap? she gets v grumpy if she doesn't sleep in the day. How did you LO adapt to taking naps at nursery?

Our nursey has a separate sleep room and rolls mats out in the play room for babies to sleep on.

[bigchris]

my 2 always slept a lot better at nursery in the day than they ever did at home
not sure if it's because they realised all the other babies were sleeping or were so exhausted from all the plaing
they often didnt sleep as long so caught up at home on the days they werent at nursery
I do remember worrying about the same thing so dont worry but it does all sort itself out

[TheProvincialLady]

Ask them!

[JessJess3908]

I did but they just fobbed me off with a "all the babies like to sleep when they're here"... And I didn't want to let on what a howler DD is in case they wouldn't have us

[scattyspice]

At our nursery its common practice to rock them to sleep in buggies (they have double buggies for that purpose. They generally use their judgement as to when the baby needs a nap unless you stipulate a time. Ds did this. DD was one of the few babies who actually slept in a cot in the sleep room.

[TheProvincialLady]

You should still ask them for more detail (now that they have already accepted you)

[Twims]

It depends on the child and the way the nursery is set up when I ran a baby room in 1 nursery they were each put in to cots and stroked/patted to sleep.

In the toddler room I worked in we lay them on mats and stroked/patted them or cuddled them to sleep.

[PortAndLemon]

DS was a nightmare to get to nap at home but did it beautifully at nursery. If I knew how they did it (well, I know what they did in outline patting, shushing, jiggling cot but how they made it work) I would have bottled it. My best guess is that being surrounded by other babies going to sleep had something to do with it.

[giddykipper]

It's magic I tell you.

DS has never been a good napper at home but they have always just put him on his little bed and he goes to sleep. I think the kids all just copy eachother.

[TheProvincialLady]

I should think a lot of it is that the baby does not (at least for a while) equate the person doing it with love/snuggles/milk/soft touch etc, and also that the person doing it will actually do it and not give up after 2 minutes and just feed to sleep or whatever like me.

[nct73]

They will find a way. DD was rubbish at going for naps for me and not easy nursery at first. I felt guilty but remember they are professionals (and you are paying them) and have dealt with so many different children they will have gathered a list of things they know work along the way. DD's nursery discovered what worked for her/them and she then became better for them than us. We ended up asking them for advice on how to get her to nap. Still naps there even though gave up naps (not my choice) at home 6 months ago.

[StealthPolarBear]

Ds has always slept longer, and more consistently at nursery than at home. I asked once, and she showed me how she stroked his head - I could see it working then and there! Also I think for my DS, a lot of it is peer pressure, he eats fine at nursery too, but barely eats at home

[jaz2]

I had the same worries when DS (then 8mo) went to nursery. However, as with eating, he seemed to "conform"(!) with others at nursery and selpt really well. They told me that they stroke their backs to get them to sleep, or if the child is upset they will cuddle them for a bit.

Still drives me mad that he eats more willingly at nursery than at home, and his general manners are better at nursery. It's peer pressure (which also brings with it some negative things when they hit the terrible twos!).

[burningupinspeed]

I was afraid to ask at first when DS started nursery in case they told me he screamed his head off - as he was BF to sleep for every nap until then.

finally I did ask and his keyworker said he went over to a mat of his own accord, lay down, and waited patiently for someone to come and pat his back until he fell asleep

So I thought, great! My DS's sleep issue is CURED! And I tried it at home the following week. Ha ha ha. He howled for about 40 minutes before I gave up.

It really is magic!

[mondaymonday]

What age is your DD? Until recently, DS was like this, and I would stand for ages pushing the pram for him to nap only 20 mins!

As he is starting nursery soon, I started about a month ago putting him in his cot for naps. At first I had to stay around, and there were tears! Now though I just lay him down, close the blinds, leave the room and he goes to sleep. He really was the worst sleeper until recently so it may be his age as well (now a year)

[CMOTdibbler]

When DS started nursery he either went to sleep in the pram or bf'd to sleep.

They got him to sleep all he needed (no routine) with no problems at all. Apparently he liked cuddling a muslin there, and sometimes they rocked him to sleep in the pushchair, but mostly in his cot.

When he went to toddlers, it was mat on the floor. Apparently he liked to be stroked to sleep. They filed back from lunch and just laid down

Now in preschool room, he just takes himself off to a mat and goes to sleep.

At home he will still only nap in the car/sling or if totally exhausted.