2.5 yr old not napping

[Flossy78]

DD is 2.5 yrs old & has never really liked daytime naps. Over the last few months they've been hit & miss with her napping later (sometimes as late as 3pm-5pm) just a couple of times a week. But these coupled with 7pm bedtimes seemed to work. However for the last 3 weeks she's refused to nap. She's clearly tired, telling us so, rubbing her eyes & yawning. I go through the routine, darkened room, little story, etc but then she gets upset saying "I don't want sleep mummy" I've tried saying it's ok and she could just have a little rest in her cot but it soon ends up with her crying lots. I'm 35 weeks pregnant & just don't have the energy or patience I should have with her so end up getting her up. My mum & husband try too but she does the same to them. I've brought bedtime forward to 6.30 some evenings as she's so tired. She always sleeps well at night (prob coz she's exhausted by then!) and she will sleep through to 7.30-8am the next day. But when she wakes she's often grumpy. I'm assuming her general grumpiness & tantrumming is due to tiredness. What can I do?? Any advice gratefully received!

I have no idea. My dd dropped all naps at 12 months. DS has just turned 2 and has about given up on naps too. Instead, we have a nice afternoon snuggle. Quiet, on the sofa, books and if he sleeps, he sleeps. Usually he doesn't though. I'm just riding it out tbh. Of course, he often nods off in the car when collecting dd from school and then he's up till feck knows when as he feels refreshed.

I'd go with it. I think by 2.5 they need around 12hrs sleep in a 24hr period so if she's getting that at night I'd stick with it. She will adapt to the new routine. It can be a bit tricky in the meantime but she'll get there. Both my kids had cut daytime naps by 2.5. Hope she gets used to it soon.

She sounds like she is dropping her nap. The transition phase is awful, you could try a nap every other day for a bit, sometimes that helps as they aren't tired enough for one every day.

I've been on a few threads (and created one a day or so ago) on this very issue. I did wonder if we were going through a transition/growth phase again.

DD is 2.8 and currently having real problems settling down to sleep at night. Clearly exhausted but grumpy, playing up (being deliberately naughty by climbing on things, throwing things, tormenting cat...), and crying at the slightest thing. Once asleep, she'll sleep through for 10+ hours.

I like the idea of a nap every other day - that would fit in well with nursery schedule. I think I'll also try the snuggle on the sofa approach, although yesterday she did have a little nap. I limited it to 50 minutes, and that seemed to help.

Thanks for all prompt advice I guess she is going through the stage of giving up the nap & we have to ride it through. I think I prob thought it was my fault for not trying hard enough to help her nap.

MrsCosmo that's exactly the behaviour we are getting too. Except it's the poor dog that is being pestered! And don't get me started on the crying over nothing....

I will try the quiet time, snuggling on the sofa perhaps with her favourite books or a kids film on tv. I doubt she will sleep as she's very determined but tbh I need the rest as much as her!