My son is 2.5 and I don't nap him some days and some other days I do. The only problem with not napping him is between the hours of 4:00 -6:00 I keep running to the living to see if he's fallen asleep on the couch every 2 minutes, it drives me nuts because I don't want him to fall asleep during that time. I keep telling him "don't fall asleep" and he tells me to go away! I want to keep him busy so he won't sleep but I guess he's so drowsy he keeps telling me to get lost (not literally).
The reason why I don' tnap him is because he'll go and sleep 11 hours at night and won't nap at a normal time during the day so the window of opportunity is missed.
When did you decide to stop napping him/her and how long did they sleep at night? What determined when you stopped?
2006-09-13 10:09:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I've tried 30 minutes naps but I have to invest so much time in putting him down (sometimes 1.5 hrs) that it is not worth it to only let him sleep 30-45 mintes. Plus, he just won't wake up it's like he's in a coma only after 30 minutes.
2006-09-13 10:19:25 · update #1
My child is grown now, but this question brought back alot of memories for me! I never did stop napping my daughter, as she was always going and needed it. I remember her napping in the late afternoon, and what I did is when she would go to sleep, I would wake her after about 30-45 minutes and have her stay up, this way she didn't just get all of her sleeping finished.
I'm so thankful to my Mom because she never did quit with the naps, we kids even had to nap when we were in school when we were home for the summer, if we were hanging around the house. What this did for my Mom was incredible, she would lay down too! She told us we had to go to our rooms for an hour and it was up to us if we slept or not, she would lay down and be refreshed for the nite.
To this day now, if I get worn out I just lay down, I know so many people who can't do it, but I was trained from a child to go lay down if you're tired! I love it and still do it, so whatever you do with it will stick! You'll figure it out.
2006-09-13 10:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 27-months old and he's on the verge of dropping his nap. He goes to day care so I can't control his napping there -- so he usually naps 2 hours at day care and then sleeps 10 hours at night, from 9:30 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. This weekend we didn't give him a nap and he was fine but went to bed earlier than normal. As long as he gets 12 hours of sleep, whether that includes a nap or not, he's fine. I think you're doing the right thing...naps some days, not on others. That's how the transition goes until you get to the point that the kid doesn't need naps at all.
Don't listen to people who say he *needs* to be napping or that all kids should nap until they are 4 or 5 or in school...kids are different. My son never has needed a ton of sleep. When he was a baby he never napped longer than 45 minutes at a time, and he was as happy as can be. That's the key -- if he's not cranky and miserable, then I think you're doing fine.
2006-09-13 14:48:48 · answer #2 · answered by KL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 2 1/2 and he stopped taking naps too. But I ran into the same problem as you. I would let him sleep at 6pm for 20-30Min's. But now I just wake him up earlier in the morning so in the afternoon he will take a 1hr nap. I do take him to the day care at my gym in the morning for an 11/2 to get some energy out while I work out. That seems to be working well. But If he doesn't sleep I put up the baby gate and make him have quiet time for 1 1/2 hr. You need some time to your self!! Its hard getting house work done with kids running around! Good Luck!
2006-09-13 10:22:07 · answer #3 · answered by kristen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot really decide, only your son can do that. You can try to 'manage' the napping better though. My son got to 4 and did not really need a nap, but for almost a month had virtually nothing to eat in the evening as he was always falling asleep.
I started waking him earlier and he went back to napping earlier which worked well. Every child is different and you either go with that or have an unhappy child (or parent.)
2006-09-13 11:06:32 · answer #4 · answered by Heyhey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He still needs a nap. If he didn't he wouldn't be falling a sleep on the couch. Most experts recommend naps until the age of 3-4 years old. What time is his bedtime? is it too late or too early. Play around with the times you lay him down at night and for nap. But don't take away his naps...he sounds really tired
2006-09-13 10:23:51 · answer #5 · answered by aerofrce1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son has always required alot of sleep...ever since we brought him home. Every child is different but my son up until last year (3 yrs. and in pre school) took a long nap in the afternoon 1pm-3/4pm He would get up nice and happy and still get his sleep at night, which was from 9-9 so 12 hours at night. Kids need rest.... I can't tell you what is right for your child it all depends on him. I f he is sleepy let him nap for a little, soon enough he won't nap and then you'll wish for nap tome again
Good Luck
2006-09-13 10:21:18 · answer #6 · answered by jlauren0923 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is also 2 1/2 and I just recently converted his crib to a toddler bed. Now he won't nap unless he falls asleep by himself or when we are in the car. It all depends on the child but they are at an age where napping isn't something they want to do. So I am just going to let it be.
2006-09-13 10:18:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
give him a nap until preschool or kindergarten (according to our pediatrician) ... my son's 3 if i do not give him a 2 hr nap before 3 pm he will fall asleep during dinner, then stay awake all night
2006-09-13 10:17:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't my son did it for me at 18 months. How I miss it so.
2006-09-13 10:22:01 · answer #9 · answered by Lotus Phoenix 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GIVE HIM A THIRTY MINUTE NAP
2006-09-13 10:14:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋