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Can I/should I re-introduce 3yo DD's nap?

8 replies

titferbrains · 10/11/2011 20:32

3yo dd is complaining of being tired. She does nursery 3 mornings a week. We don't often do playdates, just aim to go to playground every day or at least get out for a bit in the afternoon.

Her behaviour towards me has been difficult to manage at times since DS came along, but I don't think tiredness makes things any easier. She loves her new brother and apart from the usual poking of eyeballs she hasn't demonstrated any major issue with him. She is really just missing out on one to one time with me.

Normally if she has a sleep in the day she takes much longer to go to sleep at night. We are not getting much of an evening as it is, DH works v long hours so the little time we have together is precious.

Then again, ~I've always believed in the sleep begets sleep theory.

Do you reckon we might get past the taking longer to fall asleep stage and start having a normal nap and maintain a 7-730 bedtime??

We originally dropped the nap earlier this year because she was taking so long to go to sleep, running about/playing up after we put her to bed etc.

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smileitssunny · 10/11/2011 21:32

it's a tough one isn't it. my DD aged 2 has just dropped her nap, and as if by magic she's so easy to settle at night now. Much as I'd love to have that hour to myself in the day again, the evenings are great now. Is it really worth that much to you?

Tgger · 10/11/2011 21:50

How about you put her down for a nap once or twice a week. THis is what we do with DD now- she turns 3 very soon. There is no way she will sleep every day but if you time it right she will have a good nap and then that will mean a less grumpy few days Smile.

Zimbah · 10/11/2011 22:21

Or could you bring her bedtime forward, maybe by 15 minutes at a time, try that for a week and see if it makes a difference?

titferbrains · 11/11/2011 11:44

I have been trying to be very prompt with getting her to bed but I would struggle to get her down before 7 with the baby etc.

She has asked to have a story in bed already today so will try letting her nap this afternoon. Who knows, maybe I'll luck in and get a nap with DS too!

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titferbrains · 11/11/2011 11:45

Also going to start giving minadex vitamin syrup again to boost her iron in case.

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Tgger · 11/11/2011 22:19

Hope you got a nap!!! It's great when they both sleep.

We used to time it for the weekends and get 2 hours sometimes when DS was 3 and DD 1 ;-)). The other day DS was poorly and he had a nap as had been up in the night and DD had one too- it was like old times (they are now 5 and nearly 3).

titferbrains · 12/11/2011 18:25

Well no nap yesterday but she put herself to bed before 6 pm last night! I thought it best to leave her but alas.... She was up for about 3 hours after midnight, wandering about, in our bed for a bit etc. She finally went back to sleep around 4, up at 7 ish.

WTF do I do?

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Tgger · 13/11/2011 00:04

Oh dear. No experience of this! (lucky me Grin). I guess it's either nap say up to 2pm and then bed at 7/7.30pm, or no nap and bed at 6.30pm but not before!!!!

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