Welcome to our weekly online series on parenting advice with local expert Dr. Deborah Wood.
Nap Routines
Dear Dr. Debbie,
My children are 6, almost 3, and one and a half. My oldest napped until she went to all-day kindergarten last year – and still napped on weekends. My second daughter seems to run out of steam after lunch, but may get busy again and stay up until 8, which is when all three go to bed. The little guy wakes up promptly at 7 (or 6:30) no matter what time he falls asleep, and no matter if he takes a nap or not. He’s happy almost all the time, except right around lunch time.
Just wondering, how important is a scheduled nap time?
Mommy
Dear Mommy,
Adequate sleep is important for many reasons, but schedules can be individual. Two naps a day is the usual pattern at a year, and by age two most children take a two-hour nap in the early afternoon. Giving up the afternoon nap can occur overnight at age three or four, or drag on, risking daily battles between an overtired but restless child and the uncertain adult. And there are some who continue to seek out a nap at age five – as your oldest was able to do on weekends – and beyond. Your three children are not only different ages, but their bodies’ rhythms are unique to each of them.
Signs that a child is not getting enough sleep include fussiness, trouble concentrating, and frequent illness. During sleep, your children learn, grow, heal, recharge, and restore their calm.
Ideally, a quiet period after lunch allows for a nap for anyone who needs it. A good nap is needed more during a growth spurt, head cold, or bout of family stress. The easiest way to manage naptime is with a calming routine. This can include books, rocking, music, and other calming rituals. Many children prefer their nap in the same place every day, and may have trouble going to sleep away from home. If after twenty minutes of “quiet time” your little one is not asleep, he or she probably doesn’t need to sleep. Lucky you if all three zonk out, and you get a needed nap, too!
Dr. Debbie
Dr. Deborah Wood is a child development specialist in Annapolis. She holds a doctorate in Human Development from the University of Maryland at College Park and is founding director of the Chesapeake Children’s Museum. Long time fans and new readers can find many of her “Understanding Children” columns archived on the Chesapeake Family Magazine website. You can find her online at www.drdebbiewood.com
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments or submit a question to Dr. Debbie at [email protected]
