Resisting day time naps for me

[BoogalooBoo]

My DS is one and has one nap per day. Well... I put him down in his cot and then he screams, whimpers, moans, stands up etc etc to keep himself awake even though he's knackered. He usually falls asleep after an hour of this and then has a nice deep sleep and wakes up happy as a clam.

I've followed all the baby sleep books, dark room, in and out, feed, nappy saying sleep time now, and generally being gentle and soothing but he just resists! I'm posting today because he's been in there for 2 hours, on the verge of sleep and then waking up.

To make it worse when I'm at work and he's being minded by his grandparents he apparently falls asleep in 10 minutes! So either their lying to make me feel better about being back at work or I'm useless!

I guess I'm just after shared experiences and anything others found worked for daytime naps. Thank you!

Two practical tips which worked for me at various points.

1 the mummy needs a break approach. Hold kiddo in your lap and stick on a movie or an episode of something ( of your taste) a rom com or such like. Sit still be relaxed, hold the baby, without playing or interacting. watch your show.

2 strap em in the pushchair and go for a walk gets you both a bit of fresh air, very good for healthy eye development.

It's been two hours, I'd call it a day, bring him out and give him a cuddle.

Yep or snuggle up in bed together. When he’s asleep you can nija roll away.

😁 I was a fellow ninja roller.

The ninja roll is a key skill

Mine (now 18 months) won’t go to sleep without falling asleep on me first before transferring to the cot - if I put her down in the cot at the right time she just winges and cries. Sleeps fine at nursery without being held. Occasionally we still do pram naps as well.

My 22 month old is EXACTLY the same. Will not go down for me in the day for love nor money, no way. My mum is currently rocking her to sleep and it will take 5 mins guaranteed. Absolutely no idea why, she's fine with me at bedtime. I don't have any solutions I'm afraid, I'm just milking my mum as much as possible and taking her in the car on other days 🤣

I had to rely on buggy or car naps at that age. Would that work?

There's no point battling a nap and you don't need the stress.

@Jk987 There's no point battling a nap and you don't need the stress. so much this.

Pick your battles, save your strength and sanity.

You can't leave him crying for 2 hours forcing him to nap.

How old is he ? I know you say 1, but a 12 month and a 20 month old is very different!

If he is still needing a nap, I suggest a buggy walk, cuddle him to sleep, car ride, lay with him. Much nicer ways to nap that crying himself to sleep after 1-2hours.

I currently have my 1 year old in a carrier to nap because he will never just go down on his own.
Ignore the books, most children still need assistance to fall asleep at that age. Even my 2.5 year old struggles to switch off for a nap in the day if left on her own.
Stressing about naps will make you feel worse so try and stay calm about them. (Easier said than done, I know)

Can you try other ways to get him to sleep?
2 hours is a long time to leave them. After 30 minutes, I'd give up and try again later.
If he's tired then he will likely need some help, once he's asleep you can then try to transfer him to his cot.

Nooo I'd never leave him crying alone. I meant that I'm in and out every time he starts crying, then shush and give his tummy or back a rub and he's dropping off so I sneak out then 5 minutes later he's whimpering and then if I leave it, a big wail gets up. So I go in and the process starts again. Usually this is 30 minutes and he drops off but today it was 2 hours. So I took him out and we had lunch, and then a walk in the fresh air. Like people say, pick battles.

We were rocking him to sleep in the buggy until about 10 months and moved to just cot which at night time has been fine. Just day time nap is trickier, for me at least and not his grandparents! He's 12 months. I like the idea of just quiet time for mummy as he's very active and we both need a rest.

Just wondered if I should stop going in when he starts moaning but then not to seems cruel...

I had to hold my first to sleep in the day until she was about 16 months old. Coincided with her walking anyway. My second I could put down no problem. Nothing I did differently between them. You might just have to stay with him until he's asleep I'm afraid.

He may not be ready for just one nap, 12 months is quite young for that. Sounds to me like he could very much be overtired and finding it hard to go off.

My dd is 15 months and is beginning her transition to 1 nap, and when she's super over tired she only naps for 15-20 minutes or so, the 1 nap isn't quite working yet. This could be your case also.

Similar situation,son sleeps at nursery but no matter what can't get him to fall over at home or if he does it's after a lot of trying,rocking,patting and him laughing saying no and wanting down the stairs again.

@PureAmazonian See now to me, one nap at 12 months is about right. Both mine were down to one nap at 10 months anyway.

My first was probably ready at 9 months, but I stupidly tried to maintain 2 naps for another few weeks until I gave in. She slept so much longer and better once I did. Still needed assistance to get to sleep, but once she was there, she was sound asleep. The second my second started fighting two naps I dropped him to one, and it was the same again. We're in the twilight zone of completely dropping naps at 22 months (same as my first), so early nap droppers seem to be my lot.

Mine weren't cot nappers. I used to walk them to sleep in the buggy and then wheel them into the hall or garden when they were asleep.

It was inconvenient when raining but otherwise ok