Is it possible to keep a toddler's daytime nap even if they don't really need one??

[iwouldgoouttonight]

Please say yes! I'm 30 weeks pregnant and my DS (2.3 years old) has just not wanted his daytime nap for the last couple of weeks - he doesn't seem tired and we have been still putting him down but its normally about 3.30pm by the time he falls asleep and then he wakes up for his tea and its almost time for bed again. On the days he goes to nursery he doesn't have a nap at all and seems fine.

I really need the rest during the day and think I'll need it even more when the new baby is here. Do you think if I keep putting DS down for his nap even if he's not looking tired he'll keep doing it or is this the beginning of the end of naptimes??

If he's still going to bed at a reasonable (for you) bedtime, then I would go with it. DS is about the same age and I'm 35 wks pg. I really need the naptime to recharge atm, especially as I'm with him all the time now.

My DS won't go off to sleep by himself in the day now, but will usually doze off around 2pm if I put him in our bed and climb in with him. I then either sneak off or stay put and snooze.

Some children are still napping up until 3 yrs...

It might be the end of naptimes, but there's nothing to stop you continuing with a 'quiet hour' in the afternoon if you need to. He can play quietly, or "read", while you rest.

Ds continued to go for a "lunchtime rest" until after his third birthday. He had a CD that played songs for an hour, and would take a snack (usually apples, cheese and raisins so lots of eating!) and a pile of toys up to his bed and he's had a quiet hour.

It worked for him - angel child - but I will be very surprised if I can persuade dd (currently 2.2) to do the same at a similar age.

Ha ha ha. No, not IME. Two non-angel children here

With my children, there came a point when if they had a nap, they wouldn't go to bed (sleep) at the usual time, but stay wide awake, until 9.30pm, by which time I was a shreiking, crying worn out ol' hag.

I then had to decide what I thought more important- that time in the afternoon (which CAN be filled with dvd, reading or whatever as someone else has suggested) as rest, ....or getting the older ones to bed in the evening .

Had to be getting the older ones to bed in my case, and so lose that nap in the afternoon
I really feel for you, I remember it being a tough time!

Thanks - he still goes to bed quite happily at 7pm at the minute so making him have a nap isn't affecting his nighttime sleep. Think I will persevere for a bit. Good ideas about letting him watch a DVD/read books/etc for an hour but have tried that and it doesn't give me much rest because he narrates in a very loud voice whatever he is watching/reading and expects me to join in!