2 1/2 Year Old Refusing to Nap Sometimes

read the book.. healthy sleep habits happy child...

very good boook..

she is probably thinking that she is wanting to give up her nap.. but she is not ready.

I would move her bedtime earlier.. 930 is way too late for a 2 year old. my 2 and 3 year old are on their way to bed at 730- and my 3 year old gets up at 730 and my 2 year old gets up at 8-=830... if they stay up later they do not sleep later... so they might as well go to bed early.

her napt time may be too early maybe you can push it back a few minutes but she needs a nap...you should nto be talking or one more story... just put her in bed.. and that is that..

Stop allowing her to stall. Let her potty one time only. No sippy, no book, no additional toys, etc. Bedtime is bedtime...period. I think she is overtired.

IMO...her bedtime is too late. My boys (5 and 2.5) go to bed at 8 sharp and are up around 8-830 am. The youngest still naps about 3 hours in the daytime. As long as he's up by 4 (which makes naptime 1, no later), he has no problems going to bed at night. I think if you put her to bed earlier, and stick to your guns at naptime, she will sleep better for you.

Contrary to popular belief, well rested babies sleep better than overtired ones. Just the changes in her brain alone require so much more sleep than adults do...then add in the growing that her body is doing every day...it's no wonder that kids are somewhat sleep deprived!

Unfortunately, you need the rest time more than she does. Children often stop napping between 18 mos. and 3 yo. She is getting 10-12 hours sleep daily. That is a goodly amount. Introduce rest time to her. Give her books, stuffed animals and quiet things to play with but still relax. Turn the lights down low; play soft music; try laying down with her for the rest time. My eldest stopped naps at 18 mos. Went to bed between 8 and 9pm, and was up between 7 and 8am. Good luck.

Thank you for asking this question! My 2 1/2 yr old hasn't been consistent with naps anymore either. Somedays I know she is fine without one but other days she is just exhausted and gets very upset. I realize now I need to get her to rest before that sets in. She also goes to bed around 930-10 and I know I need to move that up. Some days we just have quiet time like some other moms suggested. It seems to work too but sometimes mom even needs a nap. (I work at 4:30 am)

Both of my sons (3 & 4 years old) gave up their naps at 2. We have quiet time during the day - about an hour, and then they're sufficiently "recharged"... I've been told that they simply "outgrew" their naps... However, if we have a particulary "active" or busy morning, they will sleep for an hour or so...
But, I've also found that if they do take a nap during the day - they are MUCH harder to get to sleep at night... So, it's a trade off in some ways.
Good Luck!

Sounds like she's overtired. If she won't nap. Change the bed time. Toddler's need 12 hours of sleep at night. (not including nap). Put her in bed around 7:30/8. My older 5 year old has gotten up between 6 & 7 since he was an infant. He is ASLEEP by 8 every night. We have blackout shades in his room. He is just an early riser. When you get your bed times worked out, naps will be easier.

Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child is a GREAT GREAT book!!

Try adding some white noise (a fan is what we use) and the darkest curtains and blinds you can find. Our daughter is the same age and sometimes just plays instead of napping, but USUALLY she does take a nap, and skipping it, or waking her early produce a very irritable child. Don't give up!!! She's testing you. :)

A lot of toddlers give up their naps or do them sporadically. Quit fighting about it. Have a quiet time - maybe an hour - for both of you with books to read etc., possibly in your bed and possibly she'll fall asleep. If you nurse, nurse her and it may help her sleep for at least awhile.