Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

How to get 18mo DS to nap better when outside?

10 replies

SadMummy231 · 13/01/2019 21:38

If you are out and about during nap times, how do you get DC to get a good long nap?

DC usually naps well at nursery or at home for 2h from 12-2ish. But on weekends we are finding we have to plan any days out before and after naps because he can't nap well outside.

If we take him out, in the sling, in a stroller or in the car then it all goes to pieces. He will nap too early if we are in a vehicle, or too late, and either way for only 20 mins or so. He then can't stay awake until bedtime so we try to get home early and squeeze in a second short nap before 4pm and he'll get to bed a little later than usual. But his actual sleep will be rubbish - he already wakes up several times in the night, but if he naps badly he'll wake up even more, every 30 mins sometimes.

How do other parents do it? We want to sometimes have a nice day out without paying for it at night 😥

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

GenevaMaybe · 13/01/2019 21:40

My DD was exactly like that and we had to just always be home for her naps until she dropped them at 2.5 yrs old

GenevaMaybe · 13/01/2019 21:40

...also the nap will start getting shorter and after his second birthday a 40 mins nap will actually be ok.

Clottedcreamfudge · 13/01/2019 22:12

Ds will not nap anywhere but his cot. We can get away with one day missing the nap or having a late short nap, but he will be ratty/reduculous towards bedtime. We can also pay with some mega tantrums the next day so it really has to be worth it to be out over nap time

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families

Original poster

SadMummy231 · 13/01/2019 22:33

Ok, just wait it out then? Is it unrealistic to expect DS to sleep for two hours in his stroller? (I guess strapped in it's not very comfortable ) I was thinking of a blackout cover - I never used them before but my friends raved about them in the early days.

OP posts:

Caterina99 · 14/01/2019 13:59

I think you either have a child that sleeps for 2 hours in their cot and you can have all that free time to yourself. Or you have a child that will sleep in the buggy, but probably needs the buggy to nap every day. I think it’s rare to have one that takes a decent nap in both situations!

Both of my kids have been cot nappers. I personally prefer it. They will nap in the car or buggy, but it’s only a short nap. We just usually plan our day so that they can nap at home, but it’s not always possible and one crappy nap day won’t hurt them. I just put to bed early to make up for it.

Seeline · 14/01/2019 14:05

Both mine dropped naps completely at 18 months, so maybe the end is in sight.

newcupcake · 14/01/2019 14:31

Agree with previous posters it's rare to have a child who naps well in both the cot and buggy scenarios. I always wanted cot nappers as loved having the free time in the middle of the day. We do the odd day out and take the hit on the sleep occasionally.

BendingSpoons · 14/01/2019 14:35

DD won't nap apart from in her cot. However as she got a bit older it was easier to adjust the nap time e.g. she could cope with it being an hour or two later. It's a pain for days out but we accept it for a good 2 hour break when at home (2,10 and still napping long may it last!)

Owwlie · 14/01/2019 14:39

Same problem with DD, she will wake after 45 mins in the pushchair but will sleep for 2 hours at home. The only thing I do (which doesn't work every time) is get her up early and plan the day out so that there's time for 2 naps, one around half 10 ish and one at 2/3 ish. It at least means she's had a decent bit of sleep and isn't too bad on the night.

The problem I have is that if I stop walking with the pushchair during those naps she wakes up.

Magpiefeather · 14/01/2019 14:45

We just accept the shorter nap and she will probably then have another short sleep in the car on the way home from wherever we have been which will be enough.

We had a blackout cover and it was revolutionary for us in the early days but at about 18m we had to retire it, it just angered DD and she would try to rip it off. She will sleep if she is tired and decides to have a sleep. She knows she has her own free will now!! Haha . But it may work for your child, who knows!!

Now if we are out and want her to have a pushchair nap we recline the pushchair , put the hood as far over as it will go, give her her cuddly toy and tell her “alright, it’s time for a nap now. We’re just going for a nice walk, you cuddle your teddy and you can have a little sleep if you want.” Then we go for a proper walk, not stopping really for about ten mins, even if that’s just round in circles in the zoo or whatever! And if she’s tired, she’ll go to sleep in that time. Obv they’re all different but just thought I’d share our strategy. Good luck!

Flip