18 months, sudden tantrums at naptime?

TobieRose

About four days ago DS started throwing a temper tantrum every time I try to put him down for his nap. He's definitely ready to go down when I put him in his crib; nothing about his routine has changed. We eat lunch, he gets rocked and I sing a few songs, then put him down with his binky, monkey, and blanket. But either when I lay him in his crib or when I leave the room, he starts screaming and crying. No amount of extra rocking or anything will console him until he tires himself out to the point that I can rock him to sleep, and sometimes even that doesn't work and he ends up not sleeping at all. 

This came on very suddenly, the only thing I can think of is that he senses the new siblings are on the way and is resisting naps because of that? I am being induced tomorrow and it's very distressing to me that this is happening RIGHT NOW. I don't know what to do or if this is normal or something I should be concerned about? 

alliecat531

I'm sure with you being induced tomorrow the level of stress/anxiety/excitement in your house is running high, and your child is probably just picking up on it.  I would give him the reassurance he needs right now and not worry about it too much.

vrj0522

DS started going through this about 2 weeks ago. I think it's renewed separation anxiety. The first week was bad and he completely skipped naps 2 or 3 times. The second week he still cried but did better. This week he's taken a little bit longer to fall asleep but he's been able to stay in his room pretty well and if he cries, it's only for a few seconds before accepting that it's naptime. He also did it at bedtime but not as badly.

What I do now is give him about a 5-10 minute warning that it's almost time for bed (or nap). As we get ready I keep reminding him that it's time to sleep and that after he sleeps, I'll come back and get him. I also put him in his crib and move around in his room doing something for a few seconds while I keep telling him that it's time to sleep (I'll pick up a few toys, or clothes, close the blinds, turn on his fan, etc). I'll also hand him his blanket and stuffed toy. I'm sure I look silly telling him so many times it's time for bed but for whatever reason he seems to accept it more readily when I do. It's like he starts to prepare himself for it.

He seems to be almost out of the phase now so all I can say is that it might be hard for a little bit but you guys just need to continue to follow his routine and eventually he'll go back to normal.

SunAndRain

Well, DD is only 16 months but she almost always cries when I put her down for her nap.  She would of course prefer to hang out with her family.  I put her down, rub her back, remind her it is nap time, and walk out the room.  She is asleep within 5 minutes.