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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

more than 2 hours sleep is "unhealthy"

46 replies

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 14/07/2010 19:55

A nursery nurse who weighed my DS1 2:9 years a few months ago, returned today as his weight was static. I mentioned he sleeps 3 and a bit hours most afternoons.

She was shocked and said this was really unhealthy and the reason he had a poor interest in food.

His weight had gone up so I wasn't worried but I felt a bit bad as this is my only quality time with my new baby and I would hate to lose this just yet and wake a very grumpy 2 year old.

Was she BU? Or am I?

OP posts:

lovechoc · 14/07/2010 19:58

I'm not sure tbh - DS dropped his afternoon nap reguarly a while ago (he's now 3yo). just after the age of 2 he gave up napping. even then he'd only nap for 30 mins and on the odd occasion maybe 1hr. depending on how busy his morning had been.

I'd LOVE to have three hours to myself each afternoon! lol. Lucky you!

purepurple · 14/07/2010 20:01

Not sure about it being unhealthy. How can sleep be unhealthy? How can having a sleep in the afternoon affect a child's appetite?
She sounds a bit, er, strange.
He won't be 2 forever. Make the most of the time with your newborn while you can.
Ignore her 'advice'. If your routine suits you and your family, then that routine is right.

Doigthebountyeater · 14/07/2010 20:01

I guess it depends how much sleep he is having overall. If he's asleep a lot of the time then he isn't playing and learning.

MrsMellowdrummer · 14/07/2010 20:02

My children used to nap for 3ish hours every afternoon.

Both pre and post nap they were complete lunatic toddlers who never stopped moving.

Both fairly normal now.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 14/07/2010 20:02

I remember when DS used to have 3 hr naps , it was brilliant, didn't have to plan any activities for the afternoon. Then he'd get up from his nap, have tea, and go back to bed again!

Are you concerned about his energy levels in general? If his weight has gone up then presumably he's getting enough food, just doesn't have a big appetite.

Harimo · 14/07/2010 20:03

My 2.1YO naps for around 3hours each afternoon.

He loves his food and I don't have a single issue.

Like you, I also have a younger child and I like that time with her... Ahh, who am I kidding?? I have got them napping at the same time so I can get my feet up!

GloriaSmut · 14/07/2010 20:04

That's quite a lot of sleep for an afternoon nap but provided he's ready for a good night's sleep at a sensible time in the evening I can't see the problem. I can't really see how the sleep affects his appetite unless you are waking him up in order to put a meal in front of him.

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/07/2010 20:07

my now 4 nearly 5yr would sleep for 1/2hrs if he could but generally dont allow him as starts school in sept and obv cant sleep there so weaning him off it

but as a 2/3/4yr would happily sleep 2/3hrs a day and then sleep 11.5/12hrs a night

sounds like she is talking crap and a nn should know better imho

Firawla · 14/07/2010 20:09

i've heard of quite a few children napping for 3 hours, and my 2 yr old does sometimes (normally more like 2 hour though) but when he is awake he is very active, so maybe they just tire themselves out? it does sound strange for her to be so concerned about it

nagoo · 14/07/2010 20:09

Mine never had that kind of long naps but I am rather than about it!

colditz · 14/07/2010 20:12

Nonsense.

EccentricaGallumbits · 14/07/2010 20:14

i'd love a 2 hour nap every afternoon.

does he sleep well at night? is she active when he is awake?

FrameyMcFrame · 14/07/2010 20:17

mine would nap for 3 if I let them but I always woke them up after 2 otherwise they wouldn't be tired enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
I hardly think it could be unhealthy to sleep for 3 hours though!

scaryteacher · 14/07/2010 20:20

Wait until he's a teenager - they sleep all the time; ds doesn't get up much before 1300 in the holidays, and has been known to sleep longer. When they sleep they grow, and let sleeping children lie, are my mantras (except on school mornings of course).

He wouldn't sleep if he wasn't tired.

geraldinetheluckygoat · 14/07/2010 20:21

Dont worry about it. ds1 and 2 both are epic nappers. Ds1 used to sleep for 3 sometimes more hours and then go to bed at seven and get up at seven the next morning. ds2 is the same. no problems with food (apart from usual infuriating "how much do i have to eat? whining), missing out on playing or learning. Infact they are far less grumpy and more inclinded to learn/play nicely if they get a lot of sleep. dont take any notice.

Sidge · 14/07/2010 20:25

Well if he's not eating properly, sleeping a lot and not growing then yes, I would say that could be concerning and needs investigating.

But if he is now growing, eating and just happens to enjoy a really long kip in the afternoon I would say don't worry, ignore her and make the most of it!

Original poster

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 14/07/2010 20:31

Thanks all.
Yes, very happily goes up to bed at 7pm. He does chat/sing to himself for a while by all is quiet by 8pm.
I had quite a grilling really. She said to get on with the potty training too. He has a tantrum if I ask him to use the potty and stop playing for a bit, so I didn't want to push it yet but she thinks it's time to just do it.
Oh and I need to post the dummy to santa.....

I think I may move out for a while and say good luck to my husband!!

OP posts:

Just13moreyearstogo · 14/07/2010 20:37

I don't like the sound of her. She sounds like she's working to a tick chart rather than looking at the children as individuals and working out whether what SHE sees as a problem is problematic for the family concerned.

purepurple · 14/07/2010 20:39

The time to potty train your child is when you feel he is ready and you have the time and energy to devote to it. Not when some nursery nurse that doesn't even know your child decides it is 'time'.
Signs to look for:-
Telling you when he has weed or pooed in his nappy
Doing a poo at a regular time of day, e.g after lunch
Having dry nappies between changes

If he isn't doing any of these, then I would suggest he isn't ready.
If he won't sit on the potty during the day, then maybe get him to sit on it while you run his evening bath. Just getting him used to sitting on it is enough to be going on with.
I am a nursery nurse myself, so all of this is from experience.

activate · 14/07/2010 20:40

she's a twat

pranma · 14/07/2010 20:50

I wish dgs would nap for 3 hours on the days I have him.He is coming up to 17 months and has about 90mins in morning and 40 in afternoon.

compo · 14/07/2010 20:52

You know you don't have to see her don't you?

Original poster

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 14/07/2010 20:55

purepurple he always lies if I say "have you done a poo?" Gets really upset about being changed etc.

Poo is regular time ish....

Nappy is always very wet after his afternoon sleep and first thing, less so after a mornings activity though. Not sure what to do.....

OP posts:

weirdbird · 14/07/2010 21:03

tryingtobemarypoppins2

The nursery nurse is a twat who doesn't know what she is talking about!

My eldest carried on having naps till she was 3.5 and still loves her sleep, she didn't stop moving and still doesn't when she is awake, she didn't potty train till she was gone 3 and when she finally did it was over night with no issues, she was then dry day & night a lot more consistently than most of her friends.

Oh and my eldest used to go and stand by her cot and ask to have a nap!

The dummy disappeared at nap/bed times (it was the only time she had one) when we moved from a cot to a bed, we explained that that was what happened, she was fine with it.

Every child is different and develops at different speeds, if you still have all these things when he is approaching 5 then that is the time to worry about it!

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/07/2010 21:44

your dc is getting to the age where he will be pt but obv isnt ready yet

i would advise getting rid of the dummy but thats just my personal belief (blondes cant stand them)

who is this nn - is she actually a health visitor or a nn who is meant to HELP and ADVISE parents at a clinic etc

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