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11:02 pm
May 5, 2011

zhenkac

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Hello!

I look after a 23 month old twice to three times a week for the entire day. I have been looking after him in my own home for just over a year now, so he is very accustomed and comfortable and basically part of the family. I was wondering what exactly I should be doing about his nap. He takes an afternoon nap for about an hour or two but lately what I have been doing is putting him in a big stroller that reclines almost all the way back. I have a sheet that I have put over the seat of the stroller so it is clean and more comfortable. I rock him back and forth with some soothing classical music and before I know it he is asleep. This seems to be the only method that works to get him to sleep. He has freedom to move side to side and can sleep on his side, he is not restricted but I worry if I should do another napping arrangement. I have been given a pack and play by a neighbor which he refuses to sleep in. He cries if I put him in and seems to prefer the movement of the stroller which soothes him to sleep. What exactly should I do?

Thanks!

4:08 pm
May 19, 2011

Debbye

lake arrowhead, CA

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Hi there-

If your method of getting him to sleep is working for you, him, and his family, then feel free to stick with it!

But if any of you are unhappy with the arrangement, you may need to do some "Nap Training." To teach him how to fall asleep without the motion. Talk to his parents about how they feel about it, and make some changes IF necessary.

You can introduce him to the new sleeping arrangement gradually, and offer less and less support each day. He may become more awake for the first several times you try this
but the key will be to be consistent and to use patting/shushing or even a bit
of rocking to get him drowsy enough again to fall asleep on his own. Keep in
mind the first few days or week will be the hardest as he will need time to
adjust to learning this.

With toddlers, it's all about setting limits and being consistent.
That they may protest the change for a few days or a week, but eventually they
start to get the message. Here are two links to our articles about setting
limits with toddlers as well as how to implement a sticker/reward chart.

http://www.babysleepsite.com/t…..g-toddler/

http://www.babysleepsite.com/t…..hart-tips/

Good luck!!!

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