So, back to what this blog is about. I need your help. The bean is turning 14 months soon, and will be transitioning to the toddler room at daycare any day now; which means, ONE NAP. Yes, it's the dreaded phrase i have been avoiding for months now.
when did you make the transition?
how did you do it?
How long should the nap last?
what time is the best time for nap time?
HELP!
My best recollections:
ReplyDeletewhen did you make the transition?
Davis: almost 2, Lanie 11 mo, Emery right around 12 or 13 mo. but it was a long transition.
how did you do it?
I think I just powered through & tried to hold off naptime as long as I could. I found if we were out & about in the morning, it was easier. I know I transitioned Lanie early because Davis & I were really needing some social time & mornings were best for everyone. So, normally am nap was at 9, I'd go for 9:15, then 9:30, etc. until it was at least 11. Emery had a hard time with it, and would often fall asleep on the way home in the mornings. I'd do everything I could to keep her awake, then drop her in bed & feed her lunch when she woke up. She's almost 3 & now eats first, but if I wait too long I miss her window & she won't sleep.
How long should the nap last? Ideally, 2-3 hours. But, as everything else, this depends on the kid and how well she sleeps at night, etc. But I think it "should" be close to the amount of sleep she was getting with 2 naps.
what time is the best time for nap time?
Like I said above, my kids did an earlier nap for a long while, esp. Em. But, they are all early risers, so that makes a difference too. A baby who wakes at 5:30 is going to nap earlier than one who sleeps until 8!!
Good luck! I actually liked it once they started doing one nap because it gave us a little more freedom to be out & about and not entirely tied to the house!
I'm with Keri on the additional freedom with one nap. It is hard sometimes getting used to the change and I always dread the change, but in the end it is always a good thing. Now for the details, I can't really help much except to again agree with the 2 - 3 hours. Some kids only go for 1 1/2, though, so it depends on your little one. We are a bunch of sleepers over here, so usually ours are longer. I can't help with the timing because I've got so many kids now that if they need a nap, they nap wherever we are for however long someone else doesn't wake them up! When I could be on more of a schedule, I did try to keep the longer one nap in the afternoon (maybe 1pm-ish)so that I can get up and out and do whatever needs to be done before I'm stuck at home for a few hours.
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