We have a 17 month old son. He has been on a very consistant schedule since about 4 months of age. He dropped his morning nap around the time of his first birthday but has continued to take his afternoon nap every day after lunch (11:30). He goes to be each night by 8pm and has a very established "bed time ritual" that we use before naps and bed. (story, song etc)
We are very careful about the types of food and beverages he consumes, we don't do juice or any other high-sugar foods.
Nothing has changed in our lives/eating habits and he isn't cutting any teeth (he has them all already) and yet suddenly, he will no longer take his naps! I continue to lay him in his crib at the same time every day, but he just sits in there and happily talks to the walls! I have been leaving him in his crib for an hour and a half each afternoon but he just won't sleep!
It isn't making him cranky and it isn't affecting his bedtime, but it just seems to early to be giving up the nap!
Advice??
2007-07-13 09:03:45 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It is okay to have quiet time, instead of nap time. That does seem early, but I would still keep with it. When my kids started to stay awake longer and not fall asleep fast, I would let them take some board books into bed to read. Try putting him to bed a tad bit later, like 12 or 12:30.
2007-07-13 09:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by nanners454 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say its not unheard of, although it is on the early side... my daughter was 20 months when she gave up her nap completely. You just can't force them to sleep. Some kids don't require as much sleep. If he's happy, I'd continue to put him in his crib for an hour, so he has "quiet time" and you get a little break... and then if you're concerned about the amount of sleep he gets, maybe try putting him to bed a little earlier, see if that flies, and he'll get the sleep on that end then.
ALso, I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but I do remember with my boys (who napped until they were four!), they would occasionally have a week or so when they wouldn't nap for whatever reason... but then would start napping again. If you keep putting him down for naps he may start actually sleeping again.
Good luck!
2007-07-13 09:10:22 · answer #2 · answered by Mom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you're right. He dropped the nap on his own. Aren't you glad he isn't cranky about it? How nice to have him stay in his crib and not fuss, even though he isn't asleep.
Who not try cutting his nap time to an hour for a while, and if he's still awake, just let him get up and get to the business at hand. PLAYING! Use that hour to rest yourself a while, or read a little. Your son sounds just great!
Just for a note: When nap time is gone completely, you can usually tell a child is going to be ill if he suddenly STARTS taking a nap.
2007-07-13 09:13:30 · answer #3 · answered by Bonnie W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should move his nap time up to 1:00PM and maybe his bedtime to 9:00?
"1-3 Years Old: 12 - 14 hours per day
As your child moves past the first year toward 18-21 months of age he will lose his morning nap and nap only once a day. While toddlers need up to 14 hours a day of sleep, they typically get only about 10.
Most children from about 21 to 36 months of age still need one nap a day, which may range from one to three and a half hours long. They typically go to bed between 7 and 9 p.m. and wake up between 6 and 8 a.m."
2007-07-13 09:16:04 · answer #4 · answered by Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep putting him in his crib. My son went through a phase around that time where he just laid there and talked/sang until I came to get him. But after about a month, he started going back to sleep. He's 2 now and still takes a afternoon nap. Even if he is cutting out the nap, it's good for him to still have "quiet time" and it's also good for you. Good luck!
2007-07-13 10:56:24 · answer #5 · answered by emrobs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It appears he no longer requires the day time naps.
Not all children are the same. My oldest stopped his day time naps as soon as I switched him to a youth bed (age 2). The next two continued taking day time naps until right before they began school.
Instead of trying to get him to lay down - just sit develop some 'quiet time' for him and go on with life.
2007-07-13 09:50:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i admire naps, yet merely don't get them particularly often... this is a love / hate relationship, tho, because of the fact as quickly as I get one then i'm damn around late at evening as quickly as I ought to be asleep... so i don't get sufficient sleep, nevertheless ought to arise early, pooped in the late afternoon so I take yet another nap, and the cycle starts off lower back.
2016-10-01 13:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he'll nap when he's tired. my 22 month old quit taking naps for the past 3 months, but suddenly, he wants to take them again. if your son is tired, he'll likely pass out on the couch or floor while playing (i've caught my son doing that haha).
2007-07-13 09:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by Dizzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, he's quiet and staying in bed! Some kids give up naps much earlier than others.
As long as he's happy, let it go!
2007-07-13 09:30:51 · answer #9 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my son stopped napping before 18 months too, and it was torture!! Wil he lie down with you and go to sleep? Maybe get him up earlier in the am so he's sleepier by naptime.
2007-07-13 09:09:53 · answer #10 · answered by parental unit 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋