How To Get Your Stubborn Toddler To Nap

Описание: How To Get Your Stubborn Toddler to Nap

2023 UPDATE: Check out my proven & gentle toddler sleep training program here: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/b...

Is your toddler fighting nap time all of a sudden?

In this video, Jilly Blankenship (mom, neonatal nurse and lactation consultant) explains how to get your toddler to nap every day, in 7 simple steps!

Read the full UPDATED article here: https://www.babysleepmadesimple.com/h...

Join my Free Masterclass & Learn How to Get Smooth Bedtimes, Quiet Nights & a Child that Loves to Sleep here: https://toddlersleep.co/masterclass

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Transcription:

Today, I’m going to share with you how you can get your resistant toddler to nap again!

You’ve got a toddler who’s napping beautifully every day. Then all of a sudden, he just refuses to nap!

So, what can you do to get your toddler napping again?

Check out my article to see whether your toddler still needs a daily nap: 'When Do Toddlers Stop Napping'. The link is under the video.


Nap Guidelines: If your toddler is younger than 3, they still need a daily nap.
If you have a 1 or 2 year old and they’re refusing naps, this is how you can get your toddler back to a consistent nap every day. They still need restorative daytime sleep. Babies and toddlers have a biological need for daytime sleep.

So, rather than just giving up too early which will lead to crankiness, tantrums and probably more waking at night, let’s get it sorted! Let’s get your toddler napping again.


Step 1: Burn off energy
The first thing you want to do is to burn off all that extra energy before nap time. Fresh air, natural light and stimulation work wonders for burning off excess energy and helping your toddler to relax into that daily nap. Do whatever you can to get him/her outside to play, every day. Or try to have a playdate.

Step 2: Consistent Routines
You need to keep a consistent routine every day for your toddler. What really helps toddlers to sleep well during the day and at night, is having a loose daily routine that is the same every day.

You want to keep morning wake up times, nap times and bedtime consistent. It helps to set your toddler’s body clock, so that each day at the same time he expects sleep – and he accepts sleeping more easily!

Make sure you have a consistent nap time, every day. That will work wonders with helping him relax and fall asleep.

Step 3: Make naps resemble night time sleep
You want to make sure that naps occur in the same place as night-time sleep, if possible. Once your toddler is down to one daily nap, really try hard to not have that nap in the stroller or car. Because sleep that your toddler has while outside and mobile is not as restorative and quality as the sleep they have at home, in their bed.

If your toddler goes to daycare, then there’s nothing you can do about it. But the good news is that toddlers typically nap in cribs or on a mat on the floor at daycare, so it resembles night-time sleep. They’re not in the car or in the stroller.

You want to avoid letting your toddler nap in front of the TV, or on the sofa. The quality of the sleep is not going to be as good as if they were in their bedroom.

Step 4: Communicate with your toddler
You also want to keep your toddler in the loop of everything! Our toddlers are little control freaks! They need to know, not only what’s going to happen every day, but they have to approve it.

Make sure you start daily communication with your toddler: “It’s morning. We’re going to have our breakfast, then we’re going to go and play with so-and-so. Then we’re going to come home, have lunch. Then, you’re going to have your nap.”

Let your toddler know your expectations for him. He’s going to have his nap today. And you’re giving him fair warning of what’s going to happen in the day, before he’s tired and cranky and will really refuse you.

Communication with your toddler and keep him in the loop.

Step 5: Commitment
Lastly, you’re going to need to commit to working at it. It’s rare that you can fix nap problems in just one or two days. So, commit to a few weeks of making it work.

With your consistency, your communication and letting your toddler know your expectations, you will succeed!

Remember! Toddlers still have a biological need to sleep during the day. You’re really doing your toddler a favour by encouraging a regular and consistent nap time every day. Because he really needs it! We parents also need that downtime every day!

So don’t give up!
Make sure to check the more detailed guide to this on my website, www.babysleepmadesimple.com.