Toddler Nap Refusal and Quiet Time: Tips from a Pediatrician Mom

[@Amy.Vvvvvv]

Thanks again for an informative straightforward video!

[@pedsdoctalktv]

❤❤❤

[@arcadeaa8242]

my kid stopped taking a nap 4 months before turning 3. I kept routine up for almost 2 months, offering the nap. She never took a nap. Instead screaming started for most of the time in the crib. Even with sleep consultant help, she didn't go back to taking a nap. We started doing quiet time. She was ok the first week and, now the second week, she is getting extreme separation anxiety affecting her night sleep. Any suggestions?

[@Ash-fp9ol]

Thanks for eh video. My toddler 2yrs4m is refusing naps and bedtime. Naps are impossible unless in the car or pram. He just runs out the room and gets extremely hyper if sleep is even mentioned.

[@pedsdoctalktv]

Periods of nap refusal can be so so tough. Have you tried starting bedtime a little earlier but slowing the process down a little? Like doing a quiet activity in his room, maybe tucking in his toys or stuffed animals and getting them ready for bed too? Hang, in there, it shouldn't last forever!

[@lindalones5472]

Thank you for the video. Our 15 month old refuses to nap in his crib (but is a great sleeper through the night). We let him cry (with timed check ins) for an hour and then rescue contact nap him and immediately falls asleep in our arms for a good 2 hour nap. This has been going on for 1 month. Do we just keep with timed check ins/sleep training? What's not connecting in his brain for day sleep vs night sleep? Just so confused why he is refusing his crib, itself.

[@pedsdoctalktv]

I'd consider continuing the timed check-ins past an hour. He may have figured out if he persists in fighting sleep until that time he gets to sleep in your arms afterward, incentivizing him to resist sleeping in his crib. You could also look at that nap time, ideally it starts 5-6 hours after wake up so if it's too early he may not be tired enough, or too late may be overtired. Best of luck, I know it's so tough to hear your little one struggle to sleep!

[@abigailnicole4176]

My 22 month old has been REFUSING to nap for the past week. He just sits there quiet or cries for an hour until I get him up.

[@MapuleSeotlo]

Very informative thank you so much. Dr Mona my toddler has cavities, I went to a dentist he advised that i let him be so long as he's not in pain.any advise on what i can do,they seem persistent.

[@pedsdoctalktv]

I'm not a dentist so I'd defer to your dentists recommendation. But if you are confused about the plan or don't feel like it's the best option for your child always feel free to get a second opinion from another dentist!

[@ILOVETIBET]

Thank you for informing I have one question Does constipation cost vomiting with nausea in toddlers ?

[@pedsdoctalktv]

Yes constipation can cause bloating, decreased appetite, and sometimes nausea/vomiting as well if significant

[@shaunwakefield8968]

I think it has a bit to do with FOMO. I have twin 4yr olds that nap great at home. Even twenty minutes. But at day home they refuse or the gal doesn’t try to get them down. It’s a bit infuriating because We’ve requested many times and it seems to fall on deaf ears. It should of course be different for every child. For mine it works great. 1-2 or 3 depending on how long it takes for them to go down. They go to bed at 8pm everyday.

[@pedsdoctalktv]

Yes I think FOMO can play a role for sure. And it’s common for kids to behave differently for different caregivers. Some kids will nap great at home vs school or the opposite. Glad you found what works for yall at home ❤️ and if them not napping at school bothers you it may be worth talking to their teachers about what happens at school so you can help them troubleshoot/come up with a plan you’re comfortable with

[@elizabethdixon82]

My three year old has a very hard time making it through the day without a nap, however if she takes a nap of even one hour then she cannot fall asleep until 10pm or later. It's pretty torturous.

[@pedsdoctalktv]

I’m so sorry that’s so tough. Have you tried a really short nap, like 45 min? Or an earlier nap?

[@beatriza.4626]

I don’t know what to do anymore, I take care of a 19 month old who won’t nap and doesn’t talk. His nap time is supposed to be 1pm but it’s just nor happening He will scream for an hour if you let him in the crib I don’t know how to do quiet time at a age where he won’t listen or respect me at all

[@beatriza.4626]

he hates books so can’t do that either

[@pedsdoctalktv]

If this is not your own child you're caring for it may be worth discussing things with the child's parents to see how he naps when they put him to bed. They may have tips on what works well and if you've recently started caring for this boy it may just be that he needs some time to adjust to a new caregiver. I'd try to be as consistent as possible with his routine and try to have active mornings to increase his tiredness by nap time. I hope it improves for you soon, nap refusals are so so tough

[@DonQuixote1187]

None of this helps at all. :(