Napping (or not napping) and CM - advice please!

[carve133]

Hoping for some advice about my DS (aged 1). He has just started going to a CM and so far has totally refused to nap. He is a rubbish sleeper at the best of times (has never slept through the night in his life although is slowly improving). At home he naps in his cot after a routine (grobag, story, music), but does have spells of being reluctant to drop off (can also go off beautifully sometimes though). He will also nap in car/pushchair, but we prefer cot as he seems to sleep better. CM has tried the same nap routine but he wasn't having it, and neither did he drop off in the pushchair today. Its very early days, as he has only been to CM for two mornings so far (after working up to this with a few hour long sessions). He eats well there, plays well and on the whole seems happy. The CM herself is lovely (as are her husband/DCs/other mindees) and definitely a good fit for our style of parenting etc, but I'm concerned about the naps. Am hoping that I'm jumping the gun a bit with my concern as its such early days and the schools aren't back yet (when they are it will be quieter there in the day). Has anyone been in this situation and do you have any advice for us?

oh gosh yes he will probably not nap there for a few more sessions; it all depends on how fast the bonding happens ime

as soon as the child has bonded then they relax and allow themselves to sleep

HTH

It is very early days and i'm sure he will settle down soon. If he is eating and playing there it is just a matter of time before he settles to sleeping, its all new to him and dont forget (however experienced) the childminder needs time to get to know your son too.
I'm settling-in a new lo at the moment, things like sitting in the highchair, nappy changing and sleeping are often the things that cause difficultly at first - even going into the garden for the first time can be stressful for some children.
A few days without a nap might make him a bit grumpy but it will pass and before you know it he'll be back into his routine. Does he have a special toy or a dummy with him? or even a piece of your clothing to take into the cot might help him nap.

He hasn't had much time to settle yet, he doesn't know the place and is probably both excited at all the new things and a bit apprehensive because none of his family are with him. As soon as he gets used to the place he will sleep.

Thanks everyone. Naps are really the only difficult thing so that is reassuring Stomp - everything else you mentioned has been fine. He never took to a dummy and I do send him with toy/piece of muslin but tbh he's not that interested in comfort objects (despite consistent attempts!). Will continue to send them though. He has slept in the pushchair since I first posted, but still totally refuses travel cot. I think I wouldn't be so concerned about this if he was a good sleeper otherwise but he really is rubbish at it (and can sleep even worse at night if daytime naps go badly). He wouldn't nap in his cot at home until he was 10 months (took ages to get him to do it), and it can be hit and miss now. Fingers crossed that he gets there eventually! Thanks again