I should know what I am doing by now!

[MLKsmom]

DD #4 will be one year next week. She was a picture perfect infant, but since she began walking about 3 m ago she has been awful!(crying most of the time unless I am holding her or at least at arms length) I guess it's a separation anxiety thing.

I think it is very much due to the fact that she will not nap. I've tried different times of day, etc. We have a naptime/bedtime routine that rarely changes. I've tried letting her cry it out, and she cries the entire nap time. (I've let her go for up to an hour and a half) By 6 o'clock, she is completely exhausted. I try to keep her up until about 8 o'clock so she will be on schedule w my other two little ones. In general, she sleeps all night in her crib-so that is a plus. I am very structured with my daily schedule at home, and it is getting very frustrating.

What am I doing wrong? Maybe someone from the outside can help me see what I am missing!!

[Alli~cat]

I don't know what you can do differently, but I completely understand about thinking you know what you are doing and them throwing a curveball! My 3rd one has had me feeling like a first time parent for about 16 mos now LOL!

[gab1971]

I am sorry ,Baby L never naps -when she shocks us and has one ,its all of 20 minutes !
On the plus side she also sleeps from about 7-7 .

[ILuvMoni]

Sorry! I think these babies are all out to throw us a curve ball.

Stella is a power napper & if she doesn't get that small nap during the day, she will be a terror for the rest of the evening.
In fact, that's the first thing I ask when I come home from work is, "did she take a nap today?"

[MomMeg]

It is really hard to try to get a schedule if you are running around after the older two. Is it possible for her to get an afternoon nap? Maybe she is ready to drop the morning one completely. I had DD drop hers early since I was running around in the mornings. I usually put her down at around 12:30/1:00 and she would sleep for 2 - 3 hours.

If she isn't napping during the day, she may need to go to bed earlier than 8:00. How long does she sleep at night? I have a friend whose DD (17 mos) doesn't nap great during the day (she sleeps a little in the am and a little in the afternoon). She goes to bed at 7:30 (she could almost go to bed at 7) and sleeps until 8:00. Her bedtime is really early but that is what she needs. I think it is nice for her parents as it gives them some time with their DS.

Other than those ideas, it sounds like you are doing everything right. I put cloth books (2- 3) in my kiddos beds at that age. I didn't want them playing but that way they could look at some books until they fell asleep.

I had to put darkening shades in DS's room when he was that age because he didn't want to go to sleep.

Stick to your guns! Put her in the crib. It is your time to get refreshed too (although that is hard when she is screaming!!!).

Megan

[taylorcpa]

I hate to hear she is cranky and won't take a nap!! My suggestion would be that she is too tired. My kids take a nap at about 12:00 or 1:00 pm. I would try to lay her down then. Someone suggested putting some books in her crib and that is a good idea. I would leave her for a minimum of 30 minutes to see if she will go to sleep on her own. You may not have time to help her get to sleep but if you do, lay her down and shush and pat her.

Just FYI, my 15 month old takes a 1.5-2 hour nap and sleeps almost 12 hours at night. When DS was your DD's age, he was still taking two naps a day and sleeping 12 hours at night. Thank GOD they both nap!

Good luck to you!!

[meramr]

When mine were that age I had them lay down for lunch immediately after lunch. That way they weren't being pried away from playtime or anything and it seemed to make a smooth transition.

[STACEY IN CALIF]

Oh gosh! I don't know how you guys do it without naps. The first thing I am thinking is that she is overtired and you should try getting her to nap earlier than what you think would be the right time. The books in the crib are a good idea. Does she fall asleep in the carseat? Can you take her for a drive? If were out after naptime and Isabella falls asleep in the car, I carry the seat into her room and she sleeps in there for an hour or an hour and a half. She always wakes up when we stop the car, but I lift her seat out, carry the seat inside, and I stand behind her car seat and rock it gently and she goes right out.

Hugs to you!