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Are You Having Trouble Getting Your Baby To Take A Nap?
Sleep is one of the most important building blocks for kids as it helps develop physical and mental health. About 25 to 50 percent of children are still estimated to have sleep problems. To avoid being a part of the statistic, we need to make sure babies get their proper nap times.
As babies age, they need less shut-eye, but they still need to take a nap to supplement nighttime sleep. This ensures that their development is still on track. What do you do if the baby won’t nap at all, though?
Making sure that the toddler gets his nap is the responsibility of the parent. These are the things you need to know why your baby won’t nap. Read what we have below and learn more.
The Baby Is Not Tired Enough
One of the joys of having a toddler is playing with them because their laugh is adorable. There’s nothing wrong with playing with the baby, but too much will get them too stimulated.
Too much stimulation for the baby makes them feel more awake than they are. What you need to do is to wind them down before attempting to give them a nap. This slows them down, making them able to take a nap.
Your Baby Is Too Tired
Because of what’s mentioned above, people tend to think it’s best to tire out the baby so that it can take a nap. While the logic is there, what happens is that the baby becomes overtired and will not be able to sleep.
An overtired baby is one that is way beyond its bedtime. This causes the baby’s body to have a stress reaction to the lack of sleep it’s getting. It releases cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the brain.
This makes the baby more active, making it harder for it to take a nap. This makes it important to watch out for the signs that the baby is getting overtired.
One such sign is the baby pulling on its ears. The baby will also rub its eyes to signify that it’s getting strained already. Once you notice these, stop what you’re doing and set the baby up for its much-needed nap.
The Baby Room Is Too Bright, Noisy, Or Busy
If the baby won’t nap during the day, it may be because of how it’s room looks. It may be too bright for the baby to sleep, or the neighbors could be making too much noise.
Activities that make noises may seem normal for us adults, but for toddlers, the noise can prove too much for them because of their developing eardrums. Lighting is also a factor because too much of it can also prevent the baby from napping.
When putting the toddler to nap, make sure that they’re in dim light instead. Pull down the blinds to make the room dimmer. Cut out any activity that will cause some noise, like watching television or videos on your mobile device, to make sure the baby takes its nap.
Teething Discomfort
As our baby grows up, they will experience discomfort from their teeth growing on their mouth. This is good because they’re at the stage where the teeth develop. However, while the teeth develop, it can cause major discomfort, of which you often see the signs and symptoms.
Check the mouth of your toddler to see if their teeth are growing. If they do, wipe their drool away to ease and prevent their irritation.
You can also try giving them chilled fruits to help them. Teething makes the gums produce heat, which is the primary source of discomfort. You can also use a cold washcloth to soothe sore gums.
The Baby Is Hungry
Aside from teething discomfort, hunger also prevents them from taking a nap. When toddlers feel hungry, the discomfort they feel is often too much for them to ignore. It prevents them from getting sleep even though they’re tired.
Feed them as their designated nap time approaches. This ensures that they feel satiated long enough for them to feel sleepy.
If what they ate isn’t enough, they’re likely to wake up soon. Being ready to give them a bottle can help you put them to sleep on the spot. Get the best baby video monitor so you can check the baby even when you’re not in the area.
Bad Sleeping Habits
There are times that your baby has gotten accustomed to sleeping but still won’t take a nap in the crib. The problem this time may lie in their sleeping habits. It may be that they’re used to sleeping while experiencing a rocking motion or something similar.
They may also be able to sleep when they’re in a stroller or in a sitting position. While it may be easier to get them to sleep this time, for now, it can be troublesome later on. This makes it important to get them accustomed to sleeping while laying down in their cribs.
Frequent Night Feedings
Babies that are two to three months old need to have their tummies filled at least twice during the night. Feeding the baby is another way to get them to sleep. However, if they eat too much, the baby won’t go back to napping.
Consult a pediatrician to know when to cut down on night feedings. Doing this helps you understand what you and your spouse need to do when handling night feedings.
Know What to Do If Your Baby Won’t Nap
Why won’t my baby nap? If the baby won’t nap after doing everything you can, you may have taken a wrong step while they’re still awake. Read up on our guide above to learn how you can get your baby to take a nap today!
Now that your baby is taking a nap, what should you do? New parents often don’t take advantage of this and end up feeling tired while their bundle of joy has renewed energy. Take a look at our guides and posts to learn what you can do to optimize your time while the baby sleeps tonight!