Naps - Salinas, CA

I think you already know what to do - get him back in that pack-n-play at home so it is what he knows for naptime. He will fuss and scream for awhile but he will learn what you teach him. Be consistent too. That is the key. This is where naps are taken and that will sooooo help with the transition to daycare. You are smart to start working on this ahead of time. Be consistent and remember that the crying affects you much more than him. He will get it and you are smart - you can do it.

+B+

I don't know if this is a possibility with your day care provider, but what we did to make the Pack-n-Play more comfortable was to buy a twin-sized egg-crate mattress pad and then cut it down to fit the little pack-n-play mattress. Then I put a crib sheet over the top (since the PnP fitted sheet won't fit once you've added a mattress pad). My daughters never slept well on that hard mattress either, but the egg crate thing worked wonders for us. Maybe if you try this at home for a couple of naptimes (or even put him in there with his toys to play a little), he will get over his resistance to the pack-n-play.

Hope you ignored the lady who tried to make you feel guilty for going back to work. It never ceases to amaze how others can judge so harshly - especially when they don't know anything about your situation.

Maybe I misread, but are you putting him into bed when he's already asleep? If so, that is part of the problem. I've done that and it's hard to stop, but it has to. They won't do that at daycare. At his age, it probably means putting up with some crying.

If that's not the case, then I really haven't any ideas that the other moms haven't touched upon. But, do realize that this will largely be a problem for daycare. They should be pretty experienced getting little ones transitioned into their setting. They will figure it out. So, do what you can, but don't worry overly much. Transitions can be rough, but you will all get through it. Also, remember that children are often more pliable for others than for their moms. They know they've got us wrapped around their fingers.

Baby's calling. Good luck!

I wouldnt bother putting him through all of this. I'd find a way to put off the clinicals or job and stay with my son. It's goign to be such a battle, and what for?

Good luck-
M.

S.:

My first son was in daycare starting at 5 months old and initially they had individual cribs for each baby to sleep and then they transitioned them to a cot - I seem to recall that happening at around 14 - 15 months old (but it did depend on the child). My second son is in a different daycare (Montessori) and he is 10 months old - they sleep on mattresses on the floor for nap (it is like a bed box) - they don't have cribs, pack 'n plays at all (its a Montessori thing re not restricting the child or something like that). My now 3 year old son naps on a nap mat at school now. Anyway, my point is - maybe try a cot or nap mat. I know it seems counterintuitive that he would stay there for a nap but they seem to have no problem with at the daycares my sons have been at - of course in a center all of the other kids in the class are the same age and are napping at the same time so that helps. Is he doing one big nap a day now - if not he is almost ready for that transition. Then it might be easier because hopefully some of the other kids at the daycare are napping at the same time. The confinement of the pack 'n play might be what is causing the issue. Good luck! I've found that kids are extremely adaptable and sometimes do things for others that they won't do for us parents.

Welcome to California! (if that's where you are, I read a response from a woman in AZ on this website, too, so who knows)
My son slept in a play pen for MONTHS with a 1 1/2 inch memory foam mattress pad folded into quarters. It was a queen size pad. The daycare center probably won't want to deal with that but maybe, like someone else said, you could cut a piece down to size and put a sheet over it??? Whatever happens, he's going to be alright. You both will adjust. Hang in there and good luck!

We keep a pack and play for my son at my parents house. We bought a mattress at Babies R us specifally made for pack and plays. My son says his pack and play is cozy. haha. There isn't anything in the mattress other than a piece of foam covered in waterproof material. When the pack and play is folder up the mattress can be squeezed into the carrying case as well. It just takes a few minutes for it to pop back out into shape.

Is he to big now for the pac n play? It should only be used as a nap place not as a play pen if you want him to nap there and the daycare porovider needs to know this as well. He will adjust fairly easily. It would be good to stop rescuing him from it and taking him to nap with you even if he gries. Put him down for his nap without rocking him to sleep as well since the daycare probsbly wont do that either unless it is a grandparent.

Have you tried adding the extra mattress to the pack-n-play? They sell them at places like Babies-R-Us and could add the comfort he's looking for. Also get the padded sheet that goes on top. My son definitely preferred this when he got older.

Good luck!

I would buy a ready-made mattress for the pack-n-play or purchase foam cut to fit from a fabric/craft store. Who wants to sleep on 1/2 of foam after enjoying a 5-inch bed mattress??? I'm willing to bet that it's not the environment that he dislikes, it's simply that sleeping on that hard surface is what he dislikes.

I wouldn't worry. Kids act completely different when the parents are not around. When my first was at day care, my provider just let my daughter lay there, and eventually she would fall asleep. And it becomes the norm, because in a house that is completely unknown to her, the pack and play was hers, and she knew it.
If it is truly a comfort thing, maybe get another piece of foam or some something and make it more cush so he is comfortable. Babies go thru many stages and phases with sleep. Everytime one of mine got a tooth, or was the tiniests bit stuffy, it totally affected their sleep.
Good luck!