What is the best way to get a 2 year old to take a nap when he needs one?

Question

He is on a schedule, and if I let him cry it out he will cry for 2 hours. We have no problems going to bed at night.

Answer 1

Put him in bed, tell him it's time to sleep, and if he crys dont run and pick him up, let him cry it out and eventually he will go to sleep.
It worked with my daughter when she was 2. And now, i dont have any problems getting her to bed at night.

It may be hard at first, but try and tolerate it, and it will work.

Answer 2

Keep to your schedule and tell him it is his quiet time to rest--he doesn't have to sleep, he just has to lie down, relax and take a rest. If he doesn't want to sleep (if he's not asleep after one hour, I would go and get him and just resume your regular afternoon activites), he will at least have had some down time which may make the rest of the day more bearable (for the both of you!). When he starts to nap again, as he probably will, the schedule will still be in place and a predictable part of his day. My two year old goes on no nap jags but she knows there is a part of the day for resting even if she doesn't want to sleep and we don't have to battle over it.

Answer 3

as a mom of an 8, 4, and 2 year old i can only tell you when they decide not to take naps anymore there is not much you can do. my 8 year decided at 3 no more naps and so did my 4 year old. my 2 year old however does not take naps and all my children are on schedules, up at 7am and in bed for 8pm.

Answer 4

The best thing is to let them play really hard before it is time to take a nap. Make sure he's feed, clean, and in a comfortable clean place to sleep. It's kind of like setting the mood for a nap. Believe or not it works for most little girls. I'm not sure about little boys.

Answer 5

Starting a nap schedule is the first step. Then try to make sure the room is relatively dark. Try playing some soothing music and tell him/her that even if they don't go to sleep, they still need to lie there quietly. Usually once they do that, sleep comes whether they want it or not.

Answer 6

Realize they may not always go to sleep they may just lay down for an hour or so but their body is still resting. They need routine so nap time should roughly be around the same time everyday.

Answer 7

I have 4 children and Its hard! Give them a sippy cup and a blanket and a pillow and put them of the couch with cartoons on or hold them on the couch. And make the house very quiet, if they are tired they will soon fall asleep. Don't worry just stick in there it will happen. Some time you have to put them in there room shut the door and let them cry it out till they get exhosted and fall asleep. Good luck.

Answer 8

Ok if shaking his head till it wobbles and putting a plastic bag over his head doesn't make him pass out, there's other stuff to try. I've noticed that if I don't put my 2 yr old to sleep when he gets tired, he'll get over tired and when he's over tired he is a pain in the ***. He's very hyper and wild anyways, but if I sit down with him when I can tell he's just starting to get tired and keep his mind on not tearing up the house like watching tv or something he'll fall asleep himself, alot of times I'll give him a sippy cup with juice and rock him in the chair and that works the best.

Answer 9

you should put them in their crib/bed with some quite time items -- lovey, books, stuffed animals, or soft music and explain that it is rest time and leave the room. After some quite play im sure that if the child is tried they will take a nap.

something else that you could try is informing your child that he/she will be taking a nap in 15 minutes and then warn them every 5 min. so when it is finally nap time they know and are ready.

Answer 10

From my own experience, you should probably put your child on some sort of schedule. Make 2p everyday his nap time or something like that. Most babies and small children need naps everyday. it helps with their growth. it also helps you to keep a schedule for yourself. your child won't be running your life. you're setting the rules.