Naptimes
I still haven't figured out a good naptime routine. Elisabeth still needs a nap, but doesn't have a good routine for quieting herself to sleep. Most days at about 1:30, we read a story together, and then she climbs in bed. She knows that she is not allowed to get out of bed, but she is allowed to read board books (so that we don't have crumpled pages) while she is in bed. She can often do this for an hour or two before she's ready to sleep. I would love to find a way to learn to teach her to quiet herself and go to sleep peacefully and quickly so that she gets to sleep earlier, gets the sleep that she needs, and is ready for an earlier bedtime at night.
Suggestions, anyone?
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8 comments:
I have really appreciated the series they are starting on the girltalk blog (http://girltalk.blogs.com). It is called 'RoutineTalk' and they are covering some practical suggestions for parenthood in the baby/toddler stage that have to do with establishing routines. Perhaps they will cover naptimes soon?
Thanks for the tip, Lauren. Be sure to let me know if they do!
Count your blessings that Elisabeth will stay in bed and read for so long! I would be interested to know what you find out as I think we are entering a similar phase with Katelyn.
I'll be sure to let you know.
Is it naive to suggest simply moving the naptime a bit later, say 2 or 2:30?
Having said that (and acknowledging that a routine for a 1-year-old is far different than that for a 2-1/2-year-old), Maddie works well with lots of sensory cues. Getting her lovey in hand is like kryptonite; it immediately makes her sleepy. We also ceremonially shut the curtains and make the room "quiet". And finally, she's got two elements at night that we haven't had to use yet during the day except when in a strange place - scent and sound. We've got a lavender lotion and give her a mini-massage at night - it can even be simply a footrub. And we have a playlist of lullabyes; just hearing the first notes of the first song makes her eyes heavy.
Good luck!
I think your suggestion is good, Jennifer. I've tried later naptimes, but she doesn't seem any more tired. The lull after lunch seems to be the best time to read some books, mellow out and move toward nap.
Having said that, I put Elisabeth in bed at about 1:30 and she was asleep by 1:50 today - which she hasn't done in ages. What was the difference? I wish I knew! If I figure it out, I'll be sure to make it a routine.
I have a sleep habits book (that I seem to have misplaced, so I cannot quote it directly).. but I remember him saying that the natural sleep pattern for a toddler often has them most tired and ready for a nap at the halfway point of their nighttime sleep, 12 hours later.
So, if they sleep 8pm til 7am, then 1:30pm would be the time when their little brains and bodies are ready for rest again.
Just another thought on the moving the naptime idea.
Thanks, Lauren. I'll try to keep better tabs on when the midpoint of the night is so I can better plan on when that lull will come in the afternoon.
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