AM only the only one that lets nap time rule the day?

[KatieB]

Louis would nap all afternoon if I let him! I have to gently wake him after 1.5 hours. When I was pregnant with Alex I'd often let him nap for 3 hours so I could sleep too, but then he'd be wide awake until late evening

 

[chipsticks]

Louis would nap all afternoon if I let him! I have to gently wake him after 1.5 hours. When I was pregnant with Alex I'd often let him nap for 3 hours so I could sleep too, but then he'd be wide awake until late evening

Late bedtime aside, that sounds lovely!

 

[waitingfor]

I don't get out much in the afternoons because of 3 hour naps. I can't wait for her to sleep for less. We don't have rigid nap times but generally she is ready for a sleep late morning or sometimes after lunch. If I'm out for the day, she does sometimes sleep in her pram for a few minutes but generally she will not drop off in the pram or the car.

She has been used to sleeping with noise since she was tiny but has never slept easily in the car or pram; there's just too much to look at!!

Whilst some people are saying they just let their children sleep for less or miss naps, that's great if it works for you, but unfortunately not all children are the same.

If my daughter misses her naps, gets overtired or I wake her up early, she is a nightmare. She bites herself and anyone else who is nearby and bangs her head against the walls or floor. This is not fun for either of us so I'm stuck with her needing long naps for the time being

Wow 3hr naps! I wish LO would sleep longer, he never sleeps for more than 1.5hrs at most. To tell the truth I really enjoy his naptime, it gives me a chance to nap, relax, do some work, or just enjoy nice peaceful quiet time. It is a little reprieve in the midst of a toddlerful day.

It was lovely when she was little but now it's really frustrating because I have a lovely group of friends (whose little ones have short naps or take cat naps in the car/pram on the way to places) and they all meet up in the early afternoon and I often miss out on seeing them. I'm pregnant too and my nausea kicks in late afternoon which is when she is ready to play

 

[Buttercup84]

I'd say 90% of the time Nancy naps in her cot a home. She can fall sleep in the carseat or pram if she's really tired but never sleeps for as long as she would in her cot. I figure she won't be napping forever so i'd rather work around what suits her best as she's much more settled if she's had a decent nap at home. There's plenty of time before and after her nap for groups etc.

 

[LPF]

I just want to point out that you should get your LO used to sleeping with small amounts of noise in the background from early on or it can cause problems like this. There is no need for you not to do certain things around your LO, but to adjust them to different situations. Have him sleep in different locations so that you can still go out and do things, and he can still get his nap in. I think compromising is important, but not having a social life because of nap time is quite silly - But to each's own.

It very much depends on the child. Mine has never slept out the house since he was 6 weeks old - I've tried every way I can think of to engineer it but he is just too over stimulated in ANY other setting. It's either nap in bed or not at all. Not at all is not an option as the consequences are appalling.

I don't think it's fair for you to say its silly to alter your social life - you clearly haven't had to deal with a child like this. Different strokes and all that.

 

[leelee]

In general I am back home for DD's nap but I wouldn't let her nap dictate what we are doing for the day. She will sleep in the buggy if we are out and is quite easy going if she has a shorter nap than usual.

I think it depends on the parents and the child though. Everyone is different.

BTW, I don't agree with discounting the views of someone just because they don't have a child. I always made sure both of my LO's got used to some background noise when they were young babies.

 

[KittyVentura]

I just want to point out that you should get your LO used to sleeping with small amounts of noise in the background from early on or it can cause problems like this. There is no need for you not to do certain things around your LO, but to adjust them to different situations. Have him sleep in different locations so that you can still go out and do things, and he can still get his nap in. I think compromising is important, but not having a social life because of nap time is quite silly - But to each's own.

Well then. I am quite silly... And proud of it too. I live for our routine Mon-Fri. It gives us the morning to go out (which we do... Each day), then they nap while I do housework (meaning I don't need do it while they are awake and can give them full attentions when they are) and then we do crafts or go out again after. It works VERY well for us, their routine is one step ahead of their needs so (aside from the fact Amelia is high needs and demanding) I typically have 2 very happy, content, jolly and pleasant little ones. Giving them what they need, before they need ask for it or get grumpy, is the key to being a step ahead now I have 2 toddlers. I won't skip that and risk them being sad and grumpy for everyday plans, for us that would actually be a very selfish move, given how routine reliant they seem to be.

The weekends though, we have one day with family and another where we go out on a day trip etc. On those days the routine gets relaxed. Amelia will sleep in the car or pram but Fin will not. So we just plan him an earlier bedtime instead and it works out. Wherever we go is exciting and engaging for them both so they seem to cope better with the routine upset on these days than a typical week day.

 

[angel2010]

I don't get out much in the afternoons because of 3 hour naps. I can't wait for her to sleep for less. We don't have rigid nap times but generally she is ready for a sleep late morning or sometimes after lunch. If I'm out for the day, she does sometimes sleep in her pram for a few minutes but generally she will not drop off in the pram or the car.

She has been used to sleeping with noise since she was tiny but has never slept easily in the car or pram; there's just too much to look at!!

Whilst some people are saying they just let their children sleep for less or miss naps, that's great if it works for you, but unfortunately not all children are the same.

If my daughter misses her naps, gets overtired or I wake her up early, she is a nightmare. She bites herself and anyone else who is nearby and bangs her head against the walls or floor. This is not fun for either of us so I'm stuck with her needing long naps for the time being

Wow 3hr naps! I wish LO would sleep longer, he never sleeps for more than 1.5hrs at most. To tell the truth I really enjoy his naptime, it gives me a chance to nap, relax, do some work, or just enjoy nice peaceful quiet time. It is a little reprieve in the midst of a toddlerful day.

I agree!! I love his nap time, mine only takes 1.5- 2 hours. 3 hours would be a dream!

 

[KittyVentura]

Fin can take 3 hrs easily too. If we have had a very busy morning

 

[Mrs Doddy]

I do too - lo still needs her sleep !

 

[Irish Eyes]

I always work my day around his nap, people coming round I'm happy with but we're always home from 10:30 - 12:30 for naptime. I know some people think its daft & my in laws especially comment on him ruling my life but he doesn't nap well out of the house. I'd prefer to arrange my day around a happy, rested baby than make my irritable baby fit in with my schedule. (Not saying that's what people are doing, that's just how my baby would be without his nap)

 

[mayb_baby]

Michael hasn't napped since he was 18months

 

[DaisyBee]

I have 2 kids who are VERY easily distracted. Neither has ever fallen asleep in a stroller after the age of 3 months. Megan would never go in a sling or carrier without screaming, jordan wouldn't sleep in hers after 3 months. Megan hated the swing, Jordan as a newborn would sleep in hers in the living room with megan running around singing, dancing, shouting, etc for 1/2 hr. Until 3 months. Then BOOM all of a sudden refused to sleep anywhere but a dark bedroom with whitenoise. She would be awake all day and just scream and cry. Refused to sleep anywhere no matter how tired she was. Neither of my kids sleep in the car. My dad has cancer and we've been traveling 100 miles each way almost every weekend for months. We tried timing the drive right at jordans nap time. Assuming she just would HAVE to sleep. Guess what... 3 hours of screaming later we arrived at my parents house. and each time we've tried since then... Total fail.

My kids are light sleepers. You'd think 6 months of a crying baby waking at night would get Megan used to it?? Nope. She still wakes, Jordan has a cold and woke crying congested last night. Megan on a different floor of the house, both with doors shut, white noise.. The crying woke Megan.

My kids get overstimulated. They don't handle not napping. Megan can't nap very long or she can't fall asleep til midnight. But no nap she gets overtired and wakes at 10 pm and is awake til 4am.

I had home daycare before my kids were born. You can't change kids. Some kids could sleep in a room full of other kids. I had some babies fall asleep on their playmat. Others were light sleepers, couldn't sleep unless put to bed. Some kids are more adaptable. One girl took naps every day during summer break after kindergarden. She was 6. She was the first child to fall asleep and the hardest to wake up. She fell asleep easily every night. Her younger sister had to sleep in a separate bedroom than the other kids. Overall Jordan is more adaptable that Megan is. We can move nap time around to fit in with things now. But she still won't ever sleep unless in a crib away from activity. Megan is very very sensitive. She has a hard time falling asleep after something fun. She can't fall asleep after sugar, chocolate. She can't handle playing outside after dinner or she can't sleep til midnight. Our neighbor has a 3 year old. He can stay outside playing til 9 pm, eating chocolate ice cream, running around crazy. 9:02 pjs on. 9:10 asleep in bed. My child could never ever do that.

So I have to decide... Is this activity worth missing nap for? Is this worth Megan being wide awake at 2am?

 

[d_b]

I can relate to Daisybee, DS has a hard time getting to sleep at night if anything changes in his routine. If someone is over to visit or we go somewhere to supper he'll still lie down in his crib but he'll talk (babble) to himself (or to his stuffed rabbit?) for an hour or more. Luckily he will lie down happily talking away as long as he gets to bed close to normal bedtime. He used to be like that with naps too but since about 13 months if he's in his crib at 12:30 he'll fall asleep right away.

 

[Noelle610]

I'm fine with people coming over during nap time - I enjoy the company!

I honestly think this is an issue of "every child is different". You can't just making a sweeping statement like, "You should get your child used to napping outside the house" because it's just not realistic for everyone. In the same vein, it's just not realistic for some people to plan their day according to naptime.

I think it's perfectly fine for people without children to give advice. Hell, I give advice on things I have no personal experience but have read about, spoken with people about, etc. A doctor doesn't have to have had chicken pox to diagnose it. BUT, I think it's important to realize that the best plans don't always work out. I've always been a relaxed, go-with-the-flow type of girl, but my daughter was colicky and sensitive and is now extremely routined. I've had to adapt for her needs and potential moms may find their children don't conform to their beliefs on parenting once they're actually here.

 

[lovehearts]

Generally we are home for nap time, but for the last 6 months or so we have been a LOT more flexible with this when we want a family day out. We can happily go out for the day now and LO will nap in his pram but this is just as he has got older, not something he has learnt over time. We were very strict when he was young as he was the worst napper, despite my best efforts, and the screaming was not worth missing nap time!

I let my friends come over during nap time as he sleeps in his room. Noise in the house doesn't bother him. My one friend who comes over mostly has a 5 month old so completely different routines but we normally just hang out at mine and fit around each other.

xx

 

[MrsHedgehog]

Up until around 8months old LO would nap anywhere, she'd fall asleep in her pushchair, in the car, at other people's houses, with a lot of noise, no problem. We always took her everywhere with us and never bothered with a routine. From around 8 months though she became much more sensitive and now will only really nap in her cot. We mostly try to be home for naps but if it's not possible we try just to muddle through the best we can. Everyone has do to what works for them and as long as you're happy with how things are that's all that matters.

 

[Mrs Doddy]

My lo has never slept anywhere but her bed and the car so its difficult - a lot f her friends still have naps so we do things in the mornings and for lunch then get then home for sleep - I know I do need to cut them down a bit then she might be easier to get to bed !

 

[Mrs_Random]

My eldest is 23 months and I still try & be home for nap time!
He needs his sleep & lots of it.

If he's up around 7.30 (normal day) he can be down for a nap by 12.15 and sleep until 2.30 - I wake him at this point so he goes to bed at 7/7.30. He will sleep much longer though if I let him but then won't go to bed at night.

He can sleep through anything. Once he's down for a nap I can do housework etc. my dad once did some sawing in the back garden when he was having a nap and his bedroom overlooks the garden! Didn't even stir!
He will nap in the car & sometimes in the pram but does much better on a good nap in his cot so try & put him in if I can.

My youngest is only 6 months so he's still at the stage where he will sleep anywhere - & I mean anywhere! He often falls asleep playing on the living room floor.

 

[roomaloo]

My lo sleeps roughly 12-2pm. She will not nap in buggy etc as is easily stimulated and hates missing out. It drives me mad, I'd love to go out for lunch, but its not worth it as she's horrid without her nap. So yes I am ruled by nap times.