Any tips for helping an 18-month-old nap at Grandma's house?
My 18-month-old sister is like the Energizer Bunny. Go, go, go, go all morning without stopping, and by afternoon she's more than ready for a nap. The only problem is, she won't sleep at Grandma's house (where I usually babysit her). Her dad says she's cut out naps at home, but I think this is more due to the fact that they spend nearly all day in the car and she sleeps whenever and where ever while they're out. The only way we (Grandma and I) can get her to sleep is to put her in the car and drive around, but we don't want this to become a bad habit, as Grandma isn't always available to drive her around for a nap. Help?
2010-05-12T13:24:34Z
We've tried the stroller trick, but it seems to be counter-productive. She's distracted by everything around her and will point things out to us instead of going to sleep. It's cute, but not when she needs a nap! :)
2010-05-12T13:27:25Z
Torero - I am sorry you did not approve of my advice on another question. I might have been a more productive use of your time and a more mature one to give him your own advice instead of critcitzing mine.
Jess2010-05-11T20:09:50Z
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Since she's not home and/or not in the car. (Where you said she usually sleeps due to running around with parents. Correct?)
You could try one or both of these things- 1. physically rock/sway her to sleep. It may take 10mins...it may take 30mins. I used to have to do this when I was Nannying for one of my little ones. Everyday. I would turn the fan on high, close shades and rock/sway til he went to sleep. I would lay him down in his bed after I was sure he was out. : )
2. Since she is used to the car... maybe take her for a walk. With a blanket or a bear?! (If she had one.) When she's sleeping, come back to the house and you could even let her sleep in the stroller.
3. If she's there at least 3 days a week. You could have a crib actually up at your guys place. Then at least she would learn that's for sleeping when she's with you guys.
Try giving her a warm bottle before she sleeps,(or when you put her in the crib) or you could cuddle her and rock her until she falls asleep and then you can lay her down, or put her in a stroller and walk her around in the neighborhood. Your grandmother doesn't have to drive, and the fresh air is good for both of you. Just make sure that if it's cold, she's bundled up and has lots of blankets.
Or put a little stuffed animal in her crib with her, then if she won't sleep, she'll just play, and have a little quiet time to let her body relax and re-energize. If she's crying, wait up to at least half an hour before you go and get her, it takes time for some kids to fall asleep, don't just get her right away when she starts crying. Also, if she's not sleeping only at your Grandma's, maybe something in the room she's in scares her, or maybe the temperature is not quite right. Also try putting a little fan in her room to block out any other noises, or put a movie on, and snuggle with her on a couch/bed/chair with her wrapped in a blanket. She should eventually fall asleep, then you can just pick her up off your lap and lay her down.
That was pretty much a mess of ideas, but there ya go :P
First of all 18 months is young to cut a nap and if she is hyper she is most likely tired . Try laying down on the couch and make her stay there and rub her head put a show on to catch her attention.
If she has comfort items (blanket, teddy, etc..) make sure those things are available to her. Maybe put in a favorite movie she'll watch until she falls asleep or even some soothing music (baby einstein's) while you lay with her and read a book or something.