Refuses to Nap Anymore

I used to sometimes lay down with mine (I needed a rest too) and they'd drift off. I'd have a cat nap (20 mins) and get up. You don't want to make that the routine, but once they were used to napping again, I didn't have to do it - just the few times they fought it.

In child care little ones go through stages like this. Here's what we'd do to get them to go to sleep.

We'd darken the room at least 80%.

Play classical music very softly, or something soothing and instrumental.

Sit by their cot and gently pat or rub their back.

Consistently put them back on the mat no matter how much they resisted...not in a mean way, just took them back to their cot.

Had a routine after lunch where they ate, cleaned up, got a diaper change, washed hands, went straight to their cots, no playing, no TV time, no toys, nothing but straight to their area that is ALREADY dark, music is already playing softly, etc...this routine got them mentally ready.

Kids go through stages like this and we have to keep them napping as long as possible. Our bodies wear out and sometimes we just don't know that we're tired enough to take a nap. When we're sleeping our brain/body doesn't have to process so much and they can work to do other things. Heal our body, fight off disease, grow...little kids grow a lot when they sleep, and many other things.

We have to have sleep or we get run down, sick, and more.

My main reason for insisting my grand kids nap is that they have to lay down at school and have a rest/nap time clear through Winter Break in Kindergarten. If they go to Pre-K they'll lay down and have nap time. If they aren't taking a nap anymore or at least still having lay down and rest time they have to relearn to do that.

I understand that lots of kids decide they don't need a nap anymore but I have always been able to change that by just being consistent and making them go to their cot/bed and lay down then pretty soon they're back in the habit.

I agree with Margie G.

Is she still in her crib? If so, put her down the same time every day, darken the room. My MIL used to always say it doesn't really matter if they sleep as long as they have a quiet break. I agree this may just be a phase. As with all things motherhood consistency is crucial. You're doing great. Keep up the good work. :-) S.

At one point our son was fighting naps - and he clearly needed them because he'd be a grouchy bear without it.
So one time I told him "I need a nap" - he said "No nap!".
Then I said it wasn't for HIM, I was the one who was tired.
He didn't have to nap but if he could play quietly he could stay with me when I went to lie down.
He couldn't stand being in any room without me, so he came along, and before you knew it we were both sleeping.

16 months is a little early to give up nap so I'd say it's just a phase. My kids went through a phase around then of resisting naps but I don't think it lasted too long. I agree with those that said stay consistent and just keep putting her down. Make sure the room is dark and make sure the time is routine every day. Also, make sure she is in her room not in a common area where she can see what's happening.

I hope you have listened to people's advice here since you posted this. A 16 month old NEEDS a nap. You must be consistent and put up with her fussing until she finally goes to sleep. An overtired child during the day causes havoc and also doesn't get good night time sleep.

If you are not finding success, talk to your ped about it and get ideas from him/her.

A long relaxing Consistent naptime routine. Start the routine before she is exhausted and Over tired

And if she is scared of the new place let her get used to it by playing there in day time