My daughter is 13 months old and will only take a 45min nap max! She sleeps at night but during the day its like she is going to miss something. She gets sooo sleepy but just fights it! Any ideas?
I have 6 babies that went throught the 45 min. thing too. You should read about it in the Baby Wise book. It talks about the 45 min wake up time and is very helpful I thought. We got through it and they are great nappers (napped until 4//5 years). Good luck.
I feel you! My (now 3.5 yr old) daughter would never nap for more than 30 minutes, and often would not nap at all when she was younger. Finally at 18 months when she was so tired and I couldn't take it any more, I let her cio in her crib and she went to sleep, and slept for three hours. every day! Now, she still naps at 3.5. One thing I was doing wrong was waiting to put her down til 1ish, when she was way too tired. I tried 11:00 and that was the magic time for her. Now, my little guy is 13 months and naps twice from 9-10:30 and 3-4:30, but sometimes he plays in his crib and doesn't fall asleep until 10 so he may be ready to move to one nap. Just try to leave her in her crib, go in and comfort her, change her if she needs it (poop only), go back out.... I think once you try to leave her alone for awhile (which I never did with my dd, and wish so much that I had), she will learn she's ok and she will go to sleep. Good luck! That was my hardest issue with being a first time parent so I tried really hard not to make it like that with my little guy
Commonly when children go through an new phase of development (ex. walking), they go through a period of waking early from naps. This should only last a few weeks.
I am a big supporter of the book series "Baby Wise". It was a lifesaver for me for all those type of moments when I didn't know what was going on or what to do. Luckily for me, they continue with a toddler and preschooler version of the book. It has somewhat been a manual for me, since there is no one to tell you about how to parent and what to do in certain situations. :)
Just keep to the nap routine. She will gradually do better but at her age they really start to become aware and they don't want to miss out. It will get better!
Put her in her bed when she is sleepy and sit in her room and read. Both my kids went through a phase when they fought naps because they wanted to play and know what I was up doing. I found if I sat with them, they went to sleep and then I'd sneak out and do the things I needed to do. While I sat in their room, I'd read a book. It was a quiet time for me, comforting to my child and I got a lot of reading done which is a good thing for kids to see their parents do.
K.,
I use to be an asst director in childcare. At 13 months the kids take about a 2.5 hour nap on avg from 11:30-2. This has been at every center i have worked at.
Studies say kids should take naps till around 5/6. Have you tried get her on a normal schedule everyday?
Waking her up earlier? staying away from sugary foods?>
My daughter was the same way from birth. I know it is so hard, and you are so tired and just need her to nap for a bit during the day. I spoke with our pediatrician about this countless times, and his advice was always, "If she sleeps well at night, don't complain. Some kids take long naps and some don't." So, when I would get frustrated I would just remember that at least I was getting a good night's sleep, as was our daughter.
Also, our daughter gave up napping, but then went back to napping and occasionally still takes a long nap, even at age 3.5.
My advice would be:
1) Stick to routine. A 45 minute nap is better than nothing. Your daughter is just interested in doing other things.
2) If she ever wants to give up a nap, insist on "quiet time". I started this when my daughter gave up her nap after age 2. I firmly believe she needed down time, and even if she didn't want to sleep, she had to stay in her crib for a while. I would put books in there so she could look through them. I also believe this has helped her go back to napping, which she did shortly before after she turned 3.
3) Be thankful she sleeps at night. This carried me through many an exhausted day. Also remember: kids who take short naps, usually go to bed earlier and sleep longer, which means more down time at night for you.
Best of luck and hang in there. Cherish these times, they go so quickly.
Hi, I read some helpful tips here if you want to check them out: http://www.circleofmoms.com/flat/10-Instantly-Soothing-Lu...
At the time she is obviously sleepy and tired, put her in the crib. Give it 30 minutes before you go back in there - then it wasn't meant to be. I think she needs help realizing that a daytime nap is a good thing.
Hi K.,
Kids change their sleep schedule often! and we often miss these changed resulting on laying down an over tired child. An over tired child cannot sleep.
Watch for your daughter's sleep signals, rubbing her eyes, slowing down etc. Lay her down then.
At 13 months, she should have a morning nap, starting around 9 or 10, depending on when she wakes, lasting about 1-1.5 hours. Then again about 2-3 hours later for 1-1.5 hours again.
Be aware, she'll move to 1 nap between 15 & 18 months, but she still needs 2 naps right now.
Good Luck!
R. Magby
If you google "how much sleep does my baby need?" you'll be surprised to find children need a lot more than they usually get so I understand your dilemma. I am a FIRM believer that all kids need naps until they are a full 5 years old. Sucks too because I have a 3 year old (well, he just turned 4 but hasn't taken a regular nap for almost a year) that thinks he is done and hardly ever takes a nap.....LOL.
Make is dark as possible. In child care we have fabric we place over the windows to make the room nearly like nighttime. We play soft music to mask traffic noises and voices from talking teachers or parents coming early. Warm snuggly blankets, full tummy, or maybe less full, it might be uncomfortable, find what works best for her. Just about everything you do will help her sleep longer. Rock her to sleep and then place her in her bed gently, pat her on the back, rub her back gently, let her have a snuggle toy, make sure her hair is out of tickle area, K's hair would get on her face and wake her up occasionally.
You should try having a naptime routines that mirrors her bedtime routine..that may help her get to sleep better. Also I recommend you check out these nap/sleep related questions where there are some very helpful tips in the comments:
http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/search/nap?utm_campaign=the...
Read the book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. 45 minutes is not nearly enough! The book will really help to explain what is developmentally appropriate for a toddler and hints on how to fix it.
