Stress-free Naptimes

Who's ready for a nap?

For some children, nap time is a blessed release from the noise and busyness of the day. Some children almost seem to crave this downtime, going to sleep uickly and sleeping for a good one to two hours without any fussiness. However, for the majority of children, nap time does not always start out that well, and some children seem to go for years without a long, peaceful nap. If you are a frustrated parent of an infant or toddler who is resistant to daytime sleep, you need some hacks or helpful tips to make nap time less stressful on both yourself and your little one.

Understand How Many Naps Your Little One Needs

If you do not know how much napping time your child needs each day, you may be setting him up for failure with unrealistic expectations. The amount of time your child spends napping will gradually decrease as he heads from infancy into the toddler years. By the age of one or one and a half, your baby will probably move to only one afternoon nap per day. This nap generally will not continue past the age of ive.

STRESS- FREE NAPTIMES

The total amount of time that your child sleeps each day will depend on his age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following amounts for your younger children. These totals should include all daily sleep, including naps when applicable.

Infants up to 12 months of age: 12 to 16 hours daily 1 to 2 years of age: 11 to 14 hours daily 3 to 5 years of age: 10 to 13 hours daily 6 to 12 years of age: 9 to 12 hours daily.

Routines help them know what to expect, and they also help their bodies get used to regular sleeping and waking schedules. Although a nap may fall through the cracks on rare occasions, such as when you are out of town, strive to put your child down for a nap at the same time every day. This will help her learn to fall asleep on her own.

Create the Perfect Sleeping Environment

By the toddler years, your child’s body is conditioned to be awake during daylight hours and to be asleep when it is dark outside. This can make it uite di icult to get your child to sleep during the day for an afternoon nap. Ideally, your child will take his nap in the same location every day, which should be in a crib or similar safe but solitary spot. In addition, create a uiet, dark area using blackout curtains, and try to reduce household noises during that time.

Keep Your Child Active during Awake Time

Children who are allowed to rest for long periods of time during their awake hours may not be tired enough to take a nap at the right time. In the same way, letting your toddler look excessively at television or tablet screens during this time can cause his brain to zone out, also making afternoon sleep more di icult. Instead, try to keep your child as active as possible during the waking hours. Encourage active play, including outdoor play when possible. You can also take him out and about on errands or to library events. By actively engaging the mind and body now, your child will be more ready for sleep later.

Watch for Sleep Cues

Because you are the person most attuned to your child’s needs, you are also the expert at reading her sleep cues. Children give off a wide variety of different sleep cues, and your second-born child may react to tiredness far differently than your irst-born child did. However, some of the cues you can watch for include the following:

-Yawning -Rubbing the eyes -Crankiness -Pulling the ears -Sucking a finger or thumb -Refusing to play

Stay Calm

Your little one knows your moods nearly as well as you do. Although she may not be able to put a name to them, she knows how you are acting, when you are upset and when she has you in a corner. If you get upset and frustrated about her resistance to naps every day, it is likely that she will continue playing the same game to get the same reactions out of you. However, if you remain calm in the face of her resistance, she may eventually give up and start taking her naps.

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers need excellent sleep in order to function well every day. Without su icient rest and uiet times, little ones may start feeling grumpy and may begin acting out in frustrating ways. However, by using these tips and tricks to make nap times longer and more restful, your child will feel happier, and you will be able to enjoy more peace and overall success in your home.