Here at CafeYak.com we know the value of a great nap – rest and balance for the kids and an opportunity to run errands or work as you are “relaxing” for moms. Things may be going smoothly with 2 naps until your child is 1, then two naps become one (their pick of morning or afternoon). One day it all comes to an abrupt stop as your newly independent toddler (or sometimes a preschooler) no longer wants to nap. True, some kids nap until they are 5, but the wild majority end the napping practice around 3.5. Some experts say it coincides with the average potty training readiness date. Of course, each child is an individual and some sleep patterns may be disrupted for merely a short time (or day), so don’t give up on the nap too quickly. However, if you are sure your toddler is OK without the nap know that you have options.
Quiet Time
Just because your little one does not nap does not mean he can go on for 12+ hours a day without any rest. Set up an area in his room or elsewhere in your home and dedicate it to quiet play. Set up some books, crayons, stickers, paper and blocks, and anything else your child enjoys playing with quietly. Stay nearby but give him some independence. Coaching him to play quietly alone is a gift of learning to be entertained by himself. Make sure he is safe by staying in the vicinity.
Movie Time
Around the age of 3, kids can get some educational moments from smart cartoons and kids’ movies. So this option is replacing nap with movie time. Find a short movie that will entertain yet is mild enough not to overstimulate the little one. Dim the lights too, so it’s his “movie hour”. 40 minutes is a reasonable amount of time to give both of your a break. With this strategy to replace the nap (assuming he is ready to give it up), you should make sure your little one gets little to no screen time aside from this and stays active throughout the day. If you’d rather get out of the house, find things to do together that won’t overtire him after an active morning.
Active & Nutritious Day
Getting enough physical activity is key to a successful toddler day – being active and eating well helps him settle for bed. From exercise – running around, climbing, tossing and kicking balls – to intellectual play, such as puzzles and blocks, there are plenty of ways to burn that energy. And when there is activity, there is a need for nutrition. Try to offer your child 3 meals with carbs, proteins and plenty of veggies and calcium (milk, yogurt, cheese), plus nutritious snacks in between. Avoid too many sugary drinks and processed foods. A great snack before bed is crackers and cheese or milk and oatmeal cookie, since this protein-carb combo is known for inducing sleep.
Routine above all
There is a possibility your child is not ready to give up his nap but thinks he is – play time is so fun, plus he enjoys asserting his independence. Add to this the renewed separation anxiety and night terrors and he has a tough time sleeping. If he is very cranky at the end of the day and acts fussy and tired throughout, you should try and reinforce the nap. Following a similar routine as before nightly bedtime, but on a smaller scale, may be helpful in getting your child to stay in bed. Washing hands, brushing teeth, reading a few books and a few songs will be a familiar setting that may just get him to doze off.
Changes, changes
There is a reason your child is not napping and sometimes it’s not just a simple “over the nap” story. There could be other factors that are making it hard for him to stay in bed. Perhaps, he is ready to be potty-trained. A tell-tale sign will be him asking to go all the time. In that case, dedicate your time and patience to help him potty train. Perhaps, he needs more reassurance. In that case, follow routines as much as you can and offer him extra attention during the day. Perhaps, he is ready for the big bed but does not know how to get comfortable in the new environment. Or, he may be going through separation anxiety again, so spend the extra 15 minutes holding his hand and being there for him. Once he feels this change is OK with him, the sleep patterns will get better.
Make sure your toddler is getting at least 11 hours of sleep, so if he skips the nap and all he gets is night time sleep, you may need to push up the bed time hour a bit earlier. Whatever you do, take it easy and remember that this age will pass too until the next challenge will come along. Kids will grow up, so breathe and enjoy today.
