My two year old niece hates to go down for naps. Any suggestions?

Question

She will constantly find things to keep her occupied and awake during the time she should be having her afternoon nap. We have tried turning off the T.V., rocking her, everything! Help!

She doesn't sleep in a crib, and never has. She has been in a toddler bed since she was a year old.

Answer 1

Mine (both of them) refused at about 2 yoa, so I didn't make them, but I make them go to bed earlier.

Answer 2

Many kids give up naps all together by 2 or 3 years old. She is probably just ready to be done with napping. If you are determined to get her to nap then get her up an hour or two earlier in the morning and keep her up an extra hour at night. You may find it is far easier on everyone just to accept that naps are a thing of the past.

Answer 3

Make sure she's getting enough sleep. Not too much and not too little. A two year old should be getting about 11 1/2 hours of total sleep in one day consisting of about nine and a half hours overnight and an hour and a half nap. If she sleeps more during the night she won't nap as much and vice versa.

Answer 4

Kids around 2 years old stop taking naps all together and that's okay, especially if they get plenty of sleep at night. My 2 year old does tend to get cranky and grumpy sometimes if she doesn't take a nap, especially around dinner time, but I found if I keep her busy, i.e. watching a movie, coloring, etc., then she tends to be okay. One thing you may want to try if possible, is taking your niece for a quick car ride. Chances are that she'll fall asleep before you know it, especially if she's already tired!

Answer 5

I have the same problem, She says she doesnt want to go to sleep and then we tell her you dont have to sleep just lay down finish your milk and then you can get up. She normally falls asleep right away. As for naps, A person's body reacts according to their needs if your niece sleeps the night through Its possible that a nap isnt necessary for her. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

when you put her down for naps, lay down with her. and close the door. this way she will start to understand that she cant leave the room or find anything else to distract her. also remember that she is a child and you make the rules (not her). its like a game to a child to see who will let them get away with breaking the rules. also don't rock her, and let her cry etc. remember close the door and keep putting her in the bed if she continues to get up, she'll follow the pattern in a day or two.

Answer 7

you need to make sure everything is calm, so i know you said you tried turning off the TV, have you tried playing soothing music, even go to extremes where you lie down as if going to sleep, maybe then if you constantly do this your niece will follow suite, it sounds like all she needs is routine, i would continue with the turning off the TV, and lying down as though you are ready for sleep, children often mimic adults, make sure you keep too much sugary drinks out of her diet also, eventually she will settle into routine naps, just be consistent with what you are doing.
GOOD LUCK.

Answer 8

my 2 yr old is the same way. if she doesnt get cranky i dont make her take a nap but if she needs one i lay down with her and put on a movie or cartoon she likes and she usually falls asleep within 30 min.

Answer 9

Is there some rule that two year olds MUST take afternoon naps? Is there a problem if she doesn't?

Answer 10

Sometimes you need to put them in their crib and let them scream it out.

First couple of times they'll yell for a while. Stand your ground. After a while they'll complain less and less.