The NAP struggle is real.
Iām currently working with a few families with children ages 6 months through 5 years old and theyāre wondering what the heck is going on with nap time.
Naps can be difficult to nail down.
Just when it seems like youāve figured out the optimal schedule for your child, BAM! Thereās a change ā either developmentally or environmental, and then itās back to deciphering the puzzle.
Why is naptime so tricky?
Temperament
- Donāt be fooled! More alert and active children may have a harder time settling down quickly. They may not show sleepy signs and parents might mistake this for readiness to drop a nap. HINT: There's no clear cut off when a child is ready to drop a nap. This transition can take weeks!
Schedule conflicts
- Perhaps there is a class or school that prevents your child from going down during their sleepy window.
Different person putting your child down during day
- Is there a babysitter or relative putting your child down for a nap rather than a parent who is present for bedtime?
Sleep crutch magic has worn off
- What worked before is no longer working or takes a very long time to work (i.e. rocking, feeding, swaying).
Sleep pressure & circadian rhythm are off cycle
- Daylight and too long or too short a wake window can affect a childās need to sleep.
Child is overtired
- Overtiredness can result in cortisol being released into the system ā a hormone that makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Environmental differences
- Where is your child napping? Is the environment sleep friendly and consistent?
IDEA
Observing your child can help determine their nap needs as naps evolve due to developmental and schedule changes.
Iād quickly rise to the top of the sleep consultant ladder if nailing down naps was as easy as following a schedule. Unfortunately, naps widely depend on those variables I mentioned above. And thereās probably more to add to that list!
Each family is unique and sometimes it takes more than reading a book to figure it the best approach. (HINT: Thatās where I come in as a sleep coach)!
RESOURCE
Check out this useful Nap Guide to get you through transitions.
TIP
Your child will offer the most important information when it comes to their optimal nap time and schedule.
Observing your child and anticipating their needs will be the best way to determine their current schedule. But remember, this schedule will change!
If your child cannot put themselves to sleep and back to sleep in the night then it will be hard to tell if they're ready to drop a nap.
So how will you know when itās time to edit their nap time?
Let me know by sharing in the comments!
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