9 month old barely napping at nursery - is this normal?

[Liverpoolgirl50]

So I’m not sure if this is something I need to push or leave..

My DD started nursery 3 weeks ago, 2 days a week (tues and weds 7:30-5:30) and for the most part has settled ok. She cries on drop off but the staff say she does play etc, and there are photos of her smiling.

However, her naps have gone to pot. Today she did 15 min in the morning and 15 min in the afternoon. They said she had a really tearful day and I felt like saying.. I’m not surprised, she’s exhausted! She usually does at least 2 hours a day over 3 naps (we’ve tried to push her to 2, but she wakes at 5am so we never quite manage it).

I picked her up today and she looked like a tiny zombie and then fell asleep in the car on the way home, then of course was a nightmare at bedtime. I asked how they get them to sleep and they say they either rock to sleep and transfer to cot, or just put straight in the cot. The problem is she’s waking on transfer and they either can’t or aren’t resettling her. Should I be expecting more, or is this normal? They say they don’t use pushchairs for naps because they come to expect it, but the poor kid is literally exhausted.

I guess it’s not a huge issue in the long run as 2 days won’t kill her, but will this get better? Should I just leave them to it, or push it? Half an hour of day sleep just doesn’t feel healthy for a 9 month old.

Thanks!

Ah bless her, it is quite normal, especially the first few weeks. I would give it a little bit longer. Does she self settle at home? If so, it might be worth asking them to try that first before rocking her.

Yes she usually goes off quite easily with dummy and a bum pat.. I did tell them that when she started, so will try and give it a little longer!

Ah yes I remember this with mine. She would only nap for 30 mins tops. It has got better and she can now nap for about an hour there but still has some days where she only naps for 30 mins, I guess she is just too excited to sleep there haha.

Oh god mine too! He’s been there about two months now and in the beginning napped well and slept brilliantly at night because he was worn out - but the last couple of weeks he’s had maybe an hour sleep tops at nursery, will but even settle for another little nap when he’s home around half 4 (although he’s so tired his eyes are almost closed then will ‘wake himself up’ clapping and giggling 😬)

So he’s completely overtired when he gets to bed and will wake maybe 3/4 times in the first couple of hours after putting him down! Just hoping he will grow out of it but solidarity with you - I dread opening the app now!

*NOT even settle, that should say!

I think you're not being fair on nursery expecting them to replicate what you do at home. They can't guarantee a nice quiet dark room to sleep in. They also presumably have a room full of babies to settle at the same time. So can't spend all their time cuddling babies for naps.

Your DC will get used to it. In the meantime perhaps accept your DC will have a very early bedtime. My DS1 was similar when he started at the childminders and was ready for bed by 6pm.

Ahh I’m sorry you all went/are going through it, but so glad we aren’t alone! Haha

@Werewolfnotswearwolf omg I am so with you when it comes to app anxiety. I was excited at first and now when I open it I’m terrified! Haha

@Wazzawoowooz Yes, I know you’re right. I do understand the ratio is 1:3 so they can’t spend too long trying to resettle babies, I just didn’t know what was in the realm of normal.

I think it wouldn’t be so bad if she stayed awake on the car journey home and went to bed early, but it’s a half hour drive at 5:30pm - it was never going to work! Haha

Very normal, as they r in with other children and there is so much going on whereas at home no so much going on so they sleep. Once one baby cries the whole baby room start.