how can i help hannah nap at daycare

she really doesnt nap well at daycare, but at home she will take 1.5-2 hour naps. but at daycare she is so stimulated by everything and then she comes home and is soooooo cranky! help!!

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

I have been battling this for months. I don't know if there is an answer he is so noticeably overtired but just wont go down (so they say) I've even considered taking a morning and staying there to try it myself!! How's that for pushy, LOL

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

I've found routine to be best - are the daycare workers establishing a solid routine? Alex was a horrible napper, until she got to her current class, where her teacher is a miracle worker - she gets all 5 babies to take a nap at the same time, for the same duration everyday. I asked what her secret is, and she said it's routine, routine, routine.

Everyday, she takes them to play in the morning in the playground. They come back at 12pm, and eat lunch (it's best to put them down to nap on a full belly - when digestion starts, they get sleepy). Then, she takes out the cots, tells the babies, ok, it's nappytime, and let's each of them grab their blanket and they all run to their cot.

She turns down the lights, turns on ocean music (white noise), and tucks each in, and rubs their back.

I'm sure the first few days are hell in establishing a routine, but eventually your baby will fall into the routine, and know what to expect.

When Alex was younger, they actually had a separate room with the cribs, where the lights were lowered, and they played ocean music. Anytime a baby would get sleepy they would take them for a stroll, then put them in a crib.

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

As most of you know I worked in day care for a while.
When my "students" came in, in September they were all on different schedules. We worked one day at a time and each class is required to have a Daily Routine.
After lunch we put on classical music, turned down the lights, blinds closed. Made it nice and dark.
Placed babies in cribs. If they didnt fall asleep within 15-20 mins or so we would try to rock them. If that didn't work, we would take them out and try again later. A few weeks into school, all the babies were on a routine.
***Going outside, even for 10 mins. on a walk helped A LOT as well. Its amazing what fresh air can do**.
I hope this helps.

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

its strange cause Bryan naps better at daycare than at home but he is almost 2 and naps on a cot there. But I think that it absolutely as to do with routine. AT his daycare they follow a pretty close routine. Also I brought his blanket from home and his binky. I think that helps also.

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

For us, its seeing the other children laying on the mats. I have "not my child syndrome" and can not belive that my son does all these things at nursery...eats everything, sleeps on a mat on the floor...but apparently, he does!!! He sees the other kids doing it and he does it!

Apparently he sees other kids standing on chairs and clapping also....or at least thats what I like to think!!

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

My Hannah doesn't nap well at daycare either. So far letting her belly sleep has helped. She gives me 5 hours of naps a day at home. Before I let her belly sleep she'd nap maybe a total of 1 1/2, with belly sleeping she'll take 2 1 1/2 hour naps. 3 hours isn't enough for her, but better than nothing.

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

Isn't there a quiet place where she can be put down? I know at my daycare there will be a seperate area where the cribs are - its dark and quiet - a little removed from the rest of the stimuli - does your daycare have anything like that? I could imagine that would help a little?

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

unfortunately the room where she naps is right next to the living room and the other kids are very noisy. the daycare is in a private home. i am contemplating giving them my papasan swing and seeing if that will help her nap there. then, once she has established a routine maybe then they could move her to the pack n play.

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

Yeah, Cailen will be going right into an infant room, so even though he will still be the youngest there, he is the youngest of other infants, so hopefully there really wont be a lot of activity and noise... other than crying!

Re: how can i help hannah nap at daycare

I havce the opposite probelm- samantha naps like a champ at daycare but never unless we go out when I am home with her, or when dh is....