How do CMs manage naps with babies that need a bit of 'assistance'?

[NellyBluth]

DD will be starting with her CM in a month or so. She is a bit of a pain with her naps; I was hoping she would have grown out of her issues by the time she started, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen any time soon! She will happily self-settle in a cot to sleep but generally only stays asleep for the dreaded 30 minute catnap. If she only has 3 catnaps a day she is an overtired misery by the end of the day, so generally she has at least one one-hour nap either on me or in her pushchair. To make matters worse, once she is awake she is properly awake, and even if she has only had a catnap she won't go back to sleep if put in a pushchair an hour later - she will stay awake for 2 or 3 hours before she wants to sleep again.

She won't often be with the CM all day (has an odd pattern with the CM because of DP doing shiftwork) but there are some days where she will be there 8 hours , so then not having a one-hour nap will be an issue.

But obviously I know my CM can't just go for a one-hour walk or have DD sleep on her whenever! Occasionally DD might be the only child our CM has, but I don't think this will be often. So can I ask how CMs deal with this? How should I explain this to my CM without sounding like I want her to do something unreasonable?

I might be wrong, but I expect that a lot of your DD's sleep issues might settle down once she's with he CM. In my experience, it takes two (you and your DD) to create issues like this and your childminder will probably have quite a different approach in which all of the anxiety and emotion that you feel will be removed.

So, in a nutshell, As long as you don't try and insist that your CM does the daytime naps the way that you do, and you just ask her to make sure that she gets enough daytime rest, you'll probably find that the daytime sleeping problems disappear.

Absolutely agree - my Ds1 was a pain for settling for daytime naps at home needing to be in bed, blackout & silent but would nod off anywhere at his CM! With my 2nd I was far less anxious & had other things to focus on so he was far more chilled & would just snooze wherever took his fancy. I would explain that your DD doesnt always sleep for long but does need some rest, give her your ideal amount / time for naps and just tell her to do her best!!
LCN
Ps might be obvious, but when she wakes have you tried leaving her for a bit longer & seeing if she goes back if there's no other stimulation?

I wouldn't worry to be honest. You will probably find, as others said, that your child will behave very differently at the cm's than at home. I have a 2 year old who doesn't sleep much at home unless mum is sat with him, but happily climbs on my sofa for a two hour nap each day.

As long as you talk to your childminder about how much rest your LO needs then all should be well. Good luck

I was going to say the exact same as above. Babies do behave differently with CMs or in nursery. Let her figure it out herself and it will definitely work out. I know it's hard to believe, but it really does happen all the time.

Lechat, we're just starting to hit the stage where she will occasionally drift off again with no stimulation, but its about one nap in ten - the rest she wakes from in full blown screaming mode, very upset to be awake! It never ceases to amaze me how a baby can sleep 12 hours at night but not manage it in the daytime

Thanks everyone. I had heard that babies can be very different when they are in childcare. And yes, 2cats (what's with the cat names today?!), you're right, I know I am creating some of these problems myself... It's just easier to curl up with a book and have her sleep on me for an hour than it is to cope with a tired and screaming baby! I guess I should probably stop doing that now [feels very sad for herself as there's only a few weeks left of being at home with her, sob...]

I think what is extra worrying me about this is that due to DP's shifts and me working f/t, DD won't be able to have such a good routine as she has now because she will be doing random hours with random people. I know we will all be trying our best to let her sleep at the same times, but it won't always be possible. I suppose she will just have to learn to sleep when she wants to!

if you can try and get the hours she spends with her childminder as regular as possible it will help. I have minded several now who came with long and complicated lives of exactly how they must be rocked to sleep in special chair with special blanket, toy , music etc, and all set hours of the day and while Idon't just ignore it all my minded kids lie down and have a nap after lunch, I can't rock them all so I don't rock any, I do sit with them and soothe and pat if needed, settling in is rarely as bad as the parent imagines. also one of mind is breasted to sleep and co sleeps and she can't imagine how we get him to nap happily in a cot when he is here. so you might not need change what you do at home, although if not settling may help . .good luck x

I have worked in a nursery and as a nanny and babies do learn to sleep differently for different people. 1 charge had only ever been hugged to sleep nd napped on a parent. Theparent knew it wasn't ideal. within 3 days at work the baby napped in her cot/self settled and slept on the run in the pushchair due to a busy day and needing to find time to nap. at nursery its the same. You may find the cm has a busier day which leads Dd to need a longer sleep. good luck :)

Thanks. I'm worried about the irregularity of her times with the CM but unfortunately that is the way it has to be (well, either than or she is there 60hrs a week) but I guess she will just have to learn to sleep when she can!

I have a little one who has a very sleep pattern with me compared to the one she has with her mum. I

Baby will settle down, just wait and see. You and the cm will be working together to give your little gem the very best care.

All the best.

sorry meant to say different sleep pattern...

I bet you any money that she surprises you!!

I hope she does surprise me!

Thanks mum, its reassuring to here that babies cope so well in different environments!