Toddler not napping on own

[MissPepper8]

I'm having a bit of a problem with DC not napping on own. He is 2 years old, he sleeps in his own bed at night all fine, have a routine ect and is excited for story and bed.

However.. He will not nap own his own in the day. So he goes down at 7pm and up at 7am, and then around 11am (or anywhere after) he has a nap for up to 2 hours. This nap has only ever worked if I cuddle him on my lap, he rarely settles for DH, won't go down if you just leave him in bed but can fall asleep in the car.

It's never been an issue before, it's sometimes frustrating if he won't sleep and he's grissly all afternoon, but the issue now is I'm near 20 weeks pregnant, my back and tummy are sore and he's fairly heavy if I have to carry him to his bed.

What can I do to encourage him to sleep like a normal kid on a sofa or floor?? Unless he sleeps he's in a terrible mood by 4pm and bringing forward bedtime doesn't work.

I remember a sibling being like this as a child and my cousin, I don't mind cuddling him but like I say it's just getting too sore right now. Can this be fixed or is it too late? Advice appreciated.

Could you cuddle him to sleep ON his bed so it’s easier to transfer? Or on the sofa then just lay him down on the sofa?

@Magpiefeather On the bed might be an idea, I've tried a few times on the sofa but he's sensitive I guess? I keep his blinds down if I know I'm taking him up so it's all dark still and he likes his blankets.

I might try leave him on the sofa again tomorrow and bring blanket down. I hope baby 2 can nap on their own, I long for a kid who just falls asleep on their own all cute 😂

Mine would never nap on a sofa, only in her bed. We do a mini bedtime routine - clean nappy, story, cuddles, then tucked into bed in a very dark room.

In your bed with you? Nice naps for rest of pregnancy?

Mine would never nap on a sofa, only in her bed. We do a mini bedtime routine - clean nappy, story, cuddles, then tucked into bed in a very dark room.

Maybe this is the key, making it a little routine since he likes his bedtime one and stories.

@littleducks I know if I do that ill never get anything done lol. I usually do house work then nap (if totally knackered just sleep). Think ill be doing that when I get to last few weeks mind, don't remember being this tired.