Any tips on helping along a stroller nap?

[KimWDW]

My son is 3 and still naps from 12-2 every day in his bed at home. When we go to WDW, he'll be 3.5. I assume he'll still need a nap (especially after all the stimulation at the parks). I'll have no problem taking the bus back to POP for an afternoon nap, but it would be fantastic if he could fall asleep in the stroller at the parks instead. He hasn't fallen asleep in a stroller since he was a baby, but he does fall asleep in the car all the time. So, it might be possible.

Here's what I'm thinking:
- I'm going to buy one of those umbrella strollers that slightly recline (like the combi strolee) to make him comfortable. Our umbrella stroller doesn't recline, and I've heard it's really hard for them to fall asleep in the rented strollers.

- He likes to sleep with a stuffed animal (rubbing its nose helps him fall asleep) so while I'm not risking bringing "Bunny" to the parks (if we lost him, the world would end), I'm thinking I can buy him a Mickey Mouse or something in the park and he can hold onto him and try to fall asleep (and if he gets stolen while we're on a ride, I can just buy another one).

Any other tips for helping along a stroller nap? We'll be going to the MK for 3 days, MGM 1 day, and EPCOT 1 day.

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Keep moving. If you want him to fall asleep, deliberately take yourself to a less-crowded outdoor area so that you can keep the stroller in steady motion for an extended period. If it's raining or something, try to find a porch where you can just sit and rock the stroller back and forth gently. Recline definitely helps, as does a footrest if he's young enough that his legs don't drop that far naturally.

 

[prplcrzy]

I would start to try and get him to sleep in his stroller before your trip. When you know when he's due for his nap, go for a walk instead of having him sleep in his bed.

My ds had just turned 3 out last trip and he fell asleep no problem everyday (but he had no problem falling asleep in his stoller). With so much going on, they get pooped out, even when they're traveling by stroller. Depending on the weather, that plays a big part in their energy too.

One ride I suggest is the TTA, which is where the Astro Orbitor is. It's a ride that takes you around Tomorrowland and it's really smooth and the kids always fall asleep, you may get a little nap in too! You can just stay on it and loop around as much as you want.

Have a great trip!

Nancy

 

[lissawynn]

What kind of umbrella stroller reclines?

 

[HLAuburn]

We just bought a Combi City Savvy from Babies R Us exactly for the purpose of naps at Disney! It's a little fancier than a typical umbrella stroller...it has a nice size basket underneath (a must for Disney, IMO), a small canopy, and it reclines, plus its lightweight and easy to fold/open. Target sells one that almost identical for about $30 less.

I also agree with the "keep rolling" suggestion. I think its like the car moving, it comforts them to sleep.

Hope this helps...have a nice trip!

 

[melk]

Something I did was bring a little receiving blanket to hang over the canopy once my dd was asleep. When the stroller is reclined and you're walking into the sun, the sun would beat right down on her. This way, with the blanket hanging over it gives some extra sun protection. It was funny though and more than a couple of people asked if I had sunblock on her legs(I did), which was the only part of her visible.

 

[DizChick05]

Bring one of the lesser-popular lovies and move slowly-slower and talk rather quietley. This worked like a dream for 3 year old Cole and 5 year old Chase.

 

[becka]

What kind of umbrella stroller reclines?

The Combi umbrella strollers recline pretty well. They are not fully flat but for a babies at least 4-5 months old they work fine. I love my Combi Soho - the best stroller I ever bought and it is great for WDW because it is so lightweight and even has a carry strap for the buses. We will be using it for Allie on our next trip.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...ef=sr_1_1/103-3486101-6875012?v=glance&s=baby

 

[HLAuburn]

That looks like our stroller! I LOVE it! Worth every penny.

 

[my3princes]

My ds2 has 2 favorite blankies that he always sleeps with. I didn't want to risk losing them in the parks so I made him a smaller version using similar materials (I used a Mickey Print instead of the pooh and duckies on his favorites). It was easier to carry into the parks and worked well for him. We also carry 1/2 of a twin sized sheet to cover the stroller with. It is white and reflects the sun. We have 2 clip on fans that keep him cool under the sheet and the noise of the fan seems to help him sleep longer. All of my children have napped in their strollers at WDW, but the above tips work best for us. The kids get very tired with everything that is going on so I have never found it too difficult to fit a nap in.

 

[Jewel99]

We have 2 clip on fans that keep him cool under the sheet and the noise of the fan seems to help him sleep longer.

May I ask where you got that clip-on fan? We're hoping to be able to buy one before our trip in 12 days.

Many thanks!

 

[nemomama]

I don't really want to go back to our room for afternoon naps either! Plus, it's not like our DD will sleep any better back in the hotel room, in a strange crib - the only place she really sleeps well is her crib at home. I don't know, for us, schedules always kind of go out the window when we're on vacation. That's what vacations are all about in my opinion! We never have a problem when we get back home getting her back into her routine.

Maybe you could buy an alternate stuffed animal and let him "practice" taking naps with it before your trip, in the stroller at naptime like someone else suggested. My DD has 3 of the stuffed animal she sleeps with.

my3princes - that is a great idea about the sheet and the fans! I'm going to try that - thanks!

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[my3princes]

I got our clip on fans a couple of years ago online. I don't remember which site. I would just do a search online for stroller fans or clip on fans. The ones I got have rainbow swirl blades inside a plastic protective shell. They are not the foam blades, but even as a baby DS could not fit his fingers through. It gives a good breeze too. Just make sure you bring lots of batteries and a small screwdriver to change them.

 

[gary4jenn]

Here are my tips:

1.Sometimes it helps to sit quietly with your child and let them relax. I have sat thru the Hall of Prez (which is A/Conditioned), or there are some off the beaten track spots to sit and rub their heads to get them to relax ( ilike the area by the entrance to the Swiss Fam Tree house or by the entrance to space mountain). I also bring a soft piece of Disney fleece from the fabric store to use as a blanket or rolled up as a pillow (if it's too hot for a blanket). You can also bring a towel from the hotel for a pillow and to use in case it rains to wipe of the stroller.

2. I use an adult sized WDW rain poncho with the head opening taped shut to cover my side by side umbrella stroller as a stroller cover.

3. I bought a cute sarong a couple of years ago at the shop by the PoC. I use it to cover the front of the stroller to keep out the sun when they are resting. Any lightwieght fabric would work though.

4. Be sure to put sunscreen on their toes (if wearing sandals) and their little ankels to prevent a sunburn!

5. Don't tell them that as soon as they take a nap they'll get to go do such and such ride- they'll be too excited to sleep.

6. the babycare centers are great!

 

[Zoesmama03]

My guess is on normal day at home he isn't falling asleep in there anymore because he's not in it very long. I think once he's in it all day he will eventually fall asleep.

I hope I can get my dd to sleep in hers too. She hasn't been in it a whole lot in awhile though. I won't be staying on site or even "near" WDW so no going back to room to sleep.

My dd naps once a day and I think she probably will there too. I know eventually with moving around it the stroller she will fall asleep.

I would say a less crowded area with not a whole lot to look at will help. And like someone else said constant movements so walk walk walk in circles if you gotta.

 

[2dogmom]

I purchase our souvineer beach towel to use to hang over the canopy to keep some of the light out and keep some of the sun off of my DD's legs.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I too have gone to the waiting area Hall of PRes for nap time - but I take dd out and hold her til she goes to sleep - the AC always feels great! I think I've snoozed myself!