How long do you try to get your toddler to nap before giving up?

[Springtimeflowers]

Our eldest DD turned two a couple of months ago. For a few months now, she will have the odd day without a nap (say we are out somewhere) and seems fine. Most days though, she has still had a couple of hours. However, if after a while she doesn't seem tired for a nap, I am happy to get her up and have some quiet time downstairs instead.

Nearly two weeks ago I gave birth again, and have often been having a little afternoon nap with the new baby so dh is in charge of our toddlers nap time. DD often doesn't want the nap or seem tired for it, but I have noticed that dh is very persistent with it - often trying for up to two hours which I believe is far too long. I tried to speak to dh about it, but he disagrees and said that DD needs the nap.

So I'm wondering - how long do you persist with your toddlers nap, before giving up and getting them up instead?

I must admit I never tried, always let mine sleep or be awake as they wanted. Kids either nap or they don't.

The important thing atm is that you get a nap!

I am 35 weeks pregnant and have a 1.5 year old, already wondering about this myself for when the new baby arrives! I usually try for about 30-45 mins but my rule is if my little boy is really fighting it I just don't push it. I don't think it's worth the stress for either of us! Sometimes he is happy just having 'quiet time' watching the tv.

I'm trying to nap, but can find it difficult when I can hear my toddler fussing as she doesn't want to go down. I just don't think she needs a nap every day now like dh thinks she does.

pineapple that's about how long I will try for as well. DD can often struggle to shut her mind off and relax (despite a wind-down routine), so it's unusual for her to ever go to sleep right away.

I just personally think dh is trying for too long, and it is unfair to her when she clearly isn't very tired.

@Springtimeflowers yes, my lb fights his sleep and I think it's because he's scared he's missing out! He's very active and definitely not a chilled out kid. When he is overtired but fighting sleep I sit him in his pram and he watches cartoons and either drifts off or just settles down which sometimes does him just as much good 🙂

DC1 had a daily nap until 3 years. DC2 gave up daytime naps the week before their second birthday. I couldn't get them to settle in their cot. The odd day they would nap in the car but not much. They do tend to drop naptime naturally.

No more than 20 min.

Probably no more than 20 mins. Had this the other day with my nearly 2 year old - refused both a before lunch and after lunch nap, dozed in the car for ten mins but I wasn't going to push it - he was fine and slept like a log that night!

That's another thing - DD often takes a long time to go down at night time, so I just don't think she always needs the nap any more.

I am happy to just see how she goes each day as to whether she needs the nap or not, buy I don't think dh is ready to let go of them.