Transitioning to no naps?

[lg3]

DD, almost 4 has always gone down for naps great. Lately she just won't do it - it is now the 4th time this week. I know she is exhausted by how she is acting, but just won't take her nap. Then, of course she is extremely crabby in the evening. She is sleeping pretty well at night - no big change there. Maybe I'm the one who needs the adjustment suggestions, because it is driving me crazy. How long does this go on? Is it just a phase, or once they start balking is it all over? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Grandmax3]

The best advice I got was to have the child in rest time watching a show or dvd. It is not naptime just a rest time and when she is done with the dvd and has stayed there she can get a snack. By the way the rest takes place in the livingor family room.

 

[mamacatnv]

The best advice I got was to have the child in rest time watching a show or dvd. It is not naptime just a rest time and when she is done with the dvd and has stayed there she can get a snack. By the way the rest takes place in the livingor family room.

We did the same thing. She may not need to sleep but she needs some "down" time.

 

[MELSMICE]

When my DD's were outgrowing their naps we had "quiet time" in their bedroom.

They would tell me, "but I'm not tired". I always told them that they did not have to sleep, just have some quiet time to themselves.

Sometimes they would read, sometimes they would just play quietly on their bed, but about every 3 or 4 days they would fall asleep & take the much needed nap.

Now that they are teens they look forward to naps!

 

[Dina]

We're having a heck of a time with my 3.5 year old. He seems to do well without the naps now-- so I haven't been putting him down. However once in a while he will just fall asleep on the couch or on the floor when I'm not looking-- then, that night he won't fall asleep until 11:30 for bed. And then starts this vicious cycle because didn't get that much sleep that night, then next day will fall asleep again (when I'm doing dishes from lunch or something like that), and then again won't fall asleep until midnight. Finally the other day was nice and I kept him and his brother at the park all afternoon so he couldn't fall asleep (we walked so no sleeping at the store), and he didn't nap that day-- and we've been good for the last couple days. I hate this period when they're in between needing naps and not needing them.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I agree with the idea of quiet time. Each kid is so different. I have fraternal twins (boy/girl), and DD was finished with naps before she was 4 while DS would still take a nap if he could (they're 6).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Transition time can be tough on the household. It is a little bumpy at first.

That is why I would always do it over the summer when they are 4.

Best advice is to say it is "quiet time" to watch a movie, in your room, read, whatever...your choice for the day.
You can even make it "special" if you want sometimes. Like today for "quiet time" we are going to "make cookies", play a game together, etc...

Try and bring some "fun" into it. It is an adjustment.

 

[Denine]

DD turned 4 a couple of months ago. She has been in transition for some time. I make her go to her room for quiet time. If she falls asleep, it is usually a short nap.

 

[lg3]

DD turned 4 a couple of months ago. She has been in transition for some time. I make her go to her room for quiet time. If she falls asleep, it is usually a short nap.

When they go to quiet time in their room, do you close the door so they aren't tempted to do other things in the house, or hear noises? Our dd always sleeps with the door closed, but I don't want her to think of it as if she was stuck in her room.

 

[MouseJunkie]

Yeah, then we become adults and think what I wouldn't do for a nap right now.

 

[GeorgeG]

Yeah, then we become adults and think what I wouldn't do for a nap right now.

Naps are good no matter what the age. We've become a society of sleep-depraved machines in our rat-race world. Not good.

I would say a child is ready to stop "nap time" when they no longer feel sleepy and then quiet time is a good substitute. The same goes for adults of all ages. A little quiet time can help us all and if we're sleepy, a nap is in order.

 

[Barb D]

This trick was foolproof with DD7. Your mileage may vary.

When I wasn't sure if she needed a nap or not, we would play the 100 game. The deal is we layed down together, and I counted to 100 V-E-R-Y slowly and quietly (as in 1 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10) 2 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)..... She had to stay still, with her eyes shut and not talking. If she opened her eyes or said anything, I would start over 1 time. If I counted all the way to 100 and she was still awake, she could get up. If she was asleep, she got a nap. If I had to start over more than once, she lost the game and had to stay in bed by herself until she got a nap.

She never once made it to 100. Usually she was asleep by 30 or so.

 

[mickeyboat]

My kids stopped naps at age 4 when they went to Pre-K. They didn't get to daycare after Pre-K until about 12:30, then they had lunch and quiet time until the younger kids got up from their naps -at 3:00. Sometimes they would fall asleep, sometimes they didn't, and eventually they stopped altogether.

What I wouldn't give for them to take naps, now!

Denae

 

[TinkerTracy]

I am 16 and I still nap!

 

[flying_babyb]

My kids stopped naps at age 4 when they went to Pre-K. They didn't get to daycare after Pre-K until about 12:30, then they had lunch and quiet time until the younger kids got up from their naps -at 3:00. Sometimes they would fall asleep, sometimes they didn't, and eventually they stopped altogether.

What I wouldn't give for them to take naps, now!

Denae

This is so typical (and good). Once a child hits 4 at our center there NOT allowed to nap unless theres room (and parental premission). 3 and under they must lay down on there cots for nap. Some dont nap but lay there quiet, usally with a book. Our quiet time is from 1-250ish.

 

[lg3]

This trick was foolproof with DD7. Your mileage may vary.
When I wasn't sure if she needed a nap or not, we would play the 100 game. The deal is we layed down together, and I counted to 100 V-E-R-Y slowly and quietly (as in 1 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10) 2 (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)..... She had to stay still, with her eyes shut and not talking. If she opened her eyes or said anything, I would start over 1 time. If I counted all the way to 100 and she was still awake, she could get up. If she was asleep, she got a nap. If I had to start over more than once, she lost the game and had to stay in bed by herself until she got a nap.
She never once made it to 100. Usually she was asleep by 30 or so.

Oh, I like that idea. I will give it a try!

 

[CEDmom]

Start having a rest/quiet time. My DD stopped napping in her room around 3 1/2. At that point I'd let her lay on the couch and watch Food TV. It was interesting enough to hold her attention but not too interesting to keep her awake. Within 15-20 minutes she was sleeping and stayed that way for about 2 hours.

 

[mickeyboat]

Start having a rest/quiet time. My DD stopped napping in her room around 3 1/2. At that point I'd let her lay on the couch and watch Food TV. It was interesting enough to hold her attention but not too interesting to keep her awake. Within 15-20 minutes she was sleeping and stayed that way for about 2 hours.

Food TV puts me to sleep, too.

Denae

 

[Sue's Mum]

Now this is interesting. Our grandson is 31 months and does not have a nap whilst he is at nursery Monday to Friday. He makes up for it on a Saturday and Sunday by having about a 2 hr nap per day. However, last weekend, he only slept for about 1hr 15 mins. Boy, did I need the break!!!

Our friends think that it is quite remarkable that he is still sleeping during the day. And I do not remember our two children having a daytime nap after the age of about 2 yrs 3 months.

 

[hydster]

In our house it was about 3 1/2 to 4 when they'd start trying to give them up. We had a deal with all 3 kids. After lunch we'd read a story on their beds. Then they were told they needed to lie on their bed for 25 min. If after the 25 min they were still awake I'd come get them and they could play. If they were asleep after 25 min I'd let them nap BUT I also woke them up earlier than I normally would. That way bedtime was easier to get through as they didn't sleep quite as long as they normally did.

I do admit however that there were some days where I just longed for the quiet and silence so I let them sleep until they woke up on their own but most of the time they had a quicker nap. I did always leave their doors open and would check on them about every 10 min or so to see if they were following the "plan". Most days they were asleep after 15 min.

Worked well for all 3 kids who now my oldest dd who is 13 and *who was my worst sleeper* longs for a nap after she gets home from school. LOL