Toddler Nap Time Turns Into Playtime
Submitted by ode123
OK, so my toddler is about to be 2. While my husband is working, my toddler and I stay home. In the morning it's a regular routine: she has breakfast and she must have her Yo Gabba Gabba on. But my big problem is nap time.
Now I have her on a schedule just because it's so much easier to handle. But recently we found out that our little monkey climbs out of her crib! So since her crib is 3-in-1, we switched it to what is called a daybed, where it has the rails on both corners so she won't fall. I was a little concerned how she was going to sleep on the bed, since she was so used her crib. To my surprise, come nighttime, she was great! She slept through the night and didn't fall on her first night.
But the next day, when nap time came for her, it was playtime, since she had all-access to her toys and her books. And instead of her taking her hour-and-a-half nap, she will take a 15-minute nap and then she starts crying because she wants to be let out of her room. But even after her 15-minute nap, I've noticed she's always cranky and rubbing her eyes. I know she is still tired, but she refuses to go to sleep.
I don't know if turning her crib into a regular bed was such a good idea! I've tried everything from taking her toys away to going in and out of her room to put her back in her bed and she will cry for the longest time. And the longer it takes, the less time she has throughout the day to take her nap.
I'm honestly out of ideas for ensuring my toddler gets a nap?!?! Help!
Have a tip for ode123? Share your advice below!
Related Expert Answers
from Sleep Expert, Dr. Marc Weissbluth:
Getting Your Toddler to Stay in a Bed
Keeping Your Child in Bed
Toddler Climbing Out of Crib
Helping Your Child Fall Asleep Alone
Now I have her on a schedule just because it's so much easier to handle. But recently we found out that our little monkey climbs out of her crib! So since her crib is 3-in-1, we switched it to what is called a daybed, where it has the rails on both corners so she won't fall. I was a little concerned how she was going to sleep on the bed, since she was so used her crib. To my surprise, come nighttime, she was great! She slept through the night and didn't fall on her first night.
But the next day, when nap time came for her, it was playtime, since she had all-access to her toys and her books. And instead of her taking her hour-and-a-half nap, she will take a 15-minute nap and then she starts crying because she wants to be let out of her room. But even after her 15-minute nap, I've noticed she's always cranky and rubbing her eyes. I know she is still tired, but she refuses to go to sleep.
I don't know if turning her crib into a regular bed was such a good idea! I've tried everything from taking her toys away to going in and out of her room to put her back in her bed and she will cry for the longest time. And the longer it takes, the less time she has throughout the day to take her nap.
I'm honestly out of ideas for ensuring my toddler gets a nap?!?! Help!
Have a tip for ode123? Share your advice below!
Related Expert Answers
from Sleep Expert, Dr. Marc Weissbluth:
Getting Your Toddler to Stay in a Bed
Keeping Your Child in Bed
Toddler Climbing Out of Crib
Helping Your Child Fall Asleep Alone
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