badly behaved since dropping daytime sleep

[jamhead]

This has probably been done to death but my 2yr old dd1 refuses to nap in the day and is consequently a nightmare! Any ideas on how to reinstate nap?

[jerry21]

My DS used to be incredibly grumpy without his sleep at that age, I found that doing a physical activity (such as going to the park or a playgroup etc)in the morning, he would be quite sleepy at around lunchtime so I would give him his lunch and then lay down with him in his bed. He would usually fall asleep for a couple of hours and he would be fine afterwards. He has actually just stopped his naps recently (hes 3) but sometimes he will just fall asleep by himself if he is really tired.
Hope that helps!!!

[Sparklemagic]

Jamhead, I had exactly this - my DS dropped his nap when he still obviously really needed it! I hope someone will come up with a fab idea for you but I have to say nothing worked for me, except that he would fall asleep in the car. I made sure we were out during the later morning, and he would fall asleep in the car on the way back. It was the only way he would have any daytime sleep at all.

Don't know if this will help, no use if you don't have a car!

[Surfermum]

DD has just dropped her daytime nap, and boy does she get grumpy come the end of the day. I have found that she seems to be gradually getting used to not having it, but every few days she seems to need a nap. Swimming or going to a soft play are good for wearing her out.

[Toothyboy]

Ds (2.10) dropped his just before Christmas; like Surfermum's dd, I found every 3/4 days it would catch up with him and he'd need a nap. It threw his bedtime out a bit, but was worth it on those particular days.

After 5/6 weeks he settled down and now is fine without a nap, although I do find the occasional late afternoon grumpiness can be overcome with a bit of fresh air or a snack!

How is your dd at bedtime? I would only try and reinstate the nap if it doesn't affect going to sleep at night. If it means she's going to sleep later and later at night, you may just have to ride out the next month or so until she gets used to being up all day - unless the later bedtimes suits you, of course ! Good luck!