Struggling with daycare naps? Is your baby enrolled in daycare and you were just informed that they are moving up to the toddler room and switching to a 1 nap schedule? And you’re thinking, “But they’re only 10 months! They can’t handle 1 nap!” 

 

Well fortunately (and unfortunately), you’re not alone if you’re experiencing this. I see daycare nap struggles often with families and it can be so incredibly frustrating. I wanted to put together this post with 5 tips to help you navigate this annoying (and sometimes sleepless) situation.

 

Daycare nap tip #1: Take a deep breath

I know you may be freaking out right now but the first thing we need to do is breathe. This is a problem for sure, but we aren't going to be able to solve it if we aren't thinking calmly and clearly. This is a challenge but it's not a hopeless situation. So before you move on to implementing tip #2, make sure you have a clear head.

 

Daycare nap tip #2: Communicate & get creative

See if you can set up a meeting or call with your daycare teachers and/or director. Explain your concerns to them about this early transition to 1 nap. Some important points to bring up would be:

• Most babies aren't capable of handling a 1 nap schedule until 14+ months of age
• The transition to 1 nap will require an early bedtime to help your baby recoup the lost sleep and that will make your evening family time shorter than you'd like
• Transitioning to 1 nap too early can lead to over-tiredness and early wakings. This keeps the overtired cycle going

After expressing your concerns about this transition, ask if there is a way you can work together to keep your child on a 2 nap schedule for longer. Try to get creative. If your child is being forced to a 1 nap schedule because of a move to an older room, ask if that move can be held off a few more months. If it can't, can your baby be moved back into the infant room during nap times? Directly ask if there is any way that your child can still be offered a morning nap in some way, shape, or form. Something is better than nothing here.

For more details on communicating baby's sleep needs with your caregivers, check out this blog.

 

Daycare nap tip #3: Let go of what you can't control

After communicating with daycare, you may realize that there is no compromise and there is no way in which they can honor your child's sleep needs. If this is the case, we've reached the "let it go" part. This is important for your mental health. Focus on the things you *can* control when it comes to your baby's sleep and let go of the things you *can't* control. If daycare naps are one of those things outside of your control, then it's time to stop stressing and ruminating on it.

Move on to tip #4 for ways you can try to combat this early nap transition.

 

Daycare nap tip #4: Avoid over-tiredness on your end

Now that your child is moving to 1 nap at daycare, here are my suggestions for handling sleep at home:

• Your baby will be more tired for a while. Try to offer an early bedtime on daycare days. Ideally I'd aim for about 5 hours of awake time between the end of daycare nap and the time you are laying them in the crib at bedtime. For example, if nap ends at 2pm, then aim for bedtime at 7pm. If they seem tired earlier than that, then follow their lead and put them down sooner. Even as early as 6pm may be exactly what they need!
• On the weekends (or any day your child is home with you) continue to offer 2 naps a day like usual. Some parents worry that this will be confusing for baby or throw them off but it's actually essential. Depending on the age of your child, you may continue to offer 2 naps a day on the weekend for months- and that's okay!
• Some night wakings and early wakings will pop up during this time. Do your best to remain consistent in your responses at night. Avoid adding night feeds back in or over-helping. If your child already has the skills to fall asleep on their own, lean on those skills and give them the space to work through those wakings on their own.

 

Daycare nap tip #5: Stay hopeful

If this transition ends up being really rough for your baby and your family, take heart! I know it's hard and frustrating and tiring but it's also just a season. It won't remain like this forever and before you know it, your baby will be older and able to handle 1 nap much better.

Stay hopeful thinking about the future when nap schedules won't feel as make or break. You WILL get there- I promise!

 

Need more help navigating sleep in general? I help tired moms who are overwhelmed by conflicting sleep advice to confidently sleep train. And I do it by providing affordable, personalized, and experienced sleep support. Start here by scheduling a free call.

⇒Is your child currently in daycare or being watched by a friend or family member?

⇒Is your child an excellent napper at home but not so much in different environments?

⇒Or maybe your child is struggling with sleep and you know it's connected to their poor napping with their caregivers.

I've written this article to help you in communicating your child's sleep needs to their caregivers!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. All opinions are my own and you can trust that I would vouch for these products regardless of receiving this perk.

 

From nap schedules that aren't age-appropriate to sleep environments that aren't conducive to sleep, there are lots of unique challenges that come with having a caregiver for your child. Out of all the clients I work with, I find that about 50% nap really well for their caregivers and the other 50% really struggle with naps.

The most important thing to remember is that it's okay to address these issues with your caregiver.

You guys know I like to use analogies so I've got one for you to help you understand why it's okay to make this a priority and even a non-negotiable in some cases.

You wouldn't be okay if your caregiver gave your child junk food each time they cared for your child, would you? Even if it meant things were easier on your child's caregiver because of the number of mouths they had to feed, still not okay for most parents!

Short, crappy naps taken in non-conducive environments, sometimes even unsafe situations, and around a schedule that does not mesh with your child's needs can lead to junk sleep. Unhealthy for your child and not a good long term solution, especially if your child is struggling with sleep in general.

Now this is where it gets complicated because there are obviously lots of factors that play into junk sleep. You may have only 1 option available for a caregiver. It may be your mother in law who is doing it for free. Or it could be a daycare center where there are lots of other children to care for and you don't want to be THAT parent who is complaining.

But just like you wouldn't be okay with junk food for your child, you don't have to be okay with junk sleep either.  

If your child is already in daycare or with a caregiver but struggling with naps, have a heart to heart with your caregiver and see if they can make these accommodations for your child:

1. Ask to put your child in a separate, dark room for naps

It can be really hard for children to settle down and nap when other children are playing around them. If they can't put your child in a separate room, ask that they move your child as far from any activity as possible, to the opposite side of the room. 

 

See if your caregiver will even consider using a SlumberPod over the crib or pack n play if you provide it. This will help immensely with blocking out light and sound from the room around your child. (Take 10% off with code: ALLTHESLEEPS)

 

Take your own white noise to your caregiver and ask that they turn it on for naps

This will help signal to your child that it's nap time, just like when they hear it at home as well as drowning out other noises that could be distracting to a baby who is trying to fall asleep. The Lectrofan Micro is the perfect size for daycare and doesn't need to be plugged in during naps! 

 

Encourage your caregiver to follow an age-appropriate nap schedule each day

A big problem I notice with caregivers is that babies are put down when they show signs sleepiness. Unfortunately, baby sleep cues are really not reliable after the newborn stage and this can lead to your baby being put down too soon for a nap or too late.

 

If your child struggles with short naps with their caregiver, there are a couple things you can try.

If your child is assisted to sleep, then when they wake from a short nap (less than 45 minutes) they should be assisted right back to sleep. This may require moving to a dark room with them so they can make that transition back to sleep. If your child falls asleep independently, then you need to encourage your caregiver to leave them in their sleep space for 15-20 minutes after they wake. This helps motivate your child to continue napping and lengthen their own naps.

 

Don't be afraid to write out cheat sheets and instructions about naps for your caregiver.

This isn't pushy, it's helpful! I wrote very detailed instructions for my mother when she used to care for my son during the day. Sure, it was a little weird at first but then we got into a groove and the she started to understand what we were doing with sleep, the less I had to help her out.

Remember, it's in everyone's best interest for your child to nap well with your caregiver.

Your caregiver will have an easier time handling a well-rested child versus a child who is chronically overtired and fussy.

 

If you are a new or expectant parent and are shopping around different daycares or caregivers, here are some questions to ask when it comes to sleep:

1. Are children expected to nap in the same room where everyone else is playing? Ideally, your child would nap in a separate room, away from where everyone else is playing where it's dark and conducive to sleep.
2. Will your daycare providers be willing to follow an age-appropriate nap schedule for your child? A lot of caregivers move children to 1 nap at 12 months and most babies aren't ready for that transition yet.
3. If you want to sleep coach in the future, will your caregiver be on board and willing to lay your child down awake for naps? If not, it doesn't mean that sleep coaching won't work at home, but it can make it more complicated and difficult.

 

If you've made your suggestions but your caregiver is not able or willing to follow through, then it's time to let it go.

If you have other issues with your caregiver and are in a place to find a new caregiver, then, by all means do it! But I know that is not a reality for most families.

At the the end of the day you can only control certain things and if your child's napping situation is not one of those things, don't let it ruin your day. Do what you can at your own home to foster healthy, restorative sleep and understand that that's all you can do.