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Working Moms
gibbonlove
member
Lachlan
born March 2012
Daycare and Naps
gibbonlove
member
in Working Moms
Looking for some advice on how to handle naps at daycare- DS is almost seven months old. I definitely notice a difference in how long he sleeps at night (3 hours vs. 7 hours) when he has at least two naps lasting an hour each. He was swaddled for his first four months, and then we started just placing him in his crib on his back, sans swaddle with a thin blanket and pacifier, when he started to roll more often. He still struggles some days, but for the most part, he fusses for five minutes to thirty minutes or so, and then falls asleep. Most of the fussing has to do with him rolling on his stomach, and not rolling himself back, even though he knows how. He just feels stuck.
I should also mention he has some form of startle reflex, that we're going to see a neurologist about in November. So, it's difficult for him to fall asleep on his own without waking himself up.
So daycare has informed me that they are not allowed, per regulation with their Qualistar accreditation, to keep LO in the crib for more than 15 minutes at a time- happy or crying. I suppose I understand this, as I wouldn't want my baby to be forgotten in a crib for an extended time, but how will he ever make it to sleep on his own? They are still swaddling him, although they say they are doing it very loosely so he can get out if need be, but then they also place a quilt over his back/front when he's laid down, so his arms won't move and wake him. The quilt thing really bothers me, and I'm going to talk to them about it tomorrow.
But how can I get him to self-soothe at school, if it's always fairly loud and they won't let him fall asleep on his own? I feel like we're in an endless loop of him being overtired by the end of the day.
Lachlan
born March 2012
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Daycare and Naps
Does he have a lovey?
Our DCP pats the LO's backs until they fall asleep. Sounds silly but it works and many teachers practice this in multiple classrooms. After 1 yo, they try to get the children on the same nap time routine and provide a quiet and dark environment.He has an aden/anais blanket, but no lovey. I didn't want him to be attached to a lovey at school. I'm going to talk with them today about just patting him to sleep- I think the noise and light also has something to do with it, so I'll suggest moving his crib to the other side of the room. Unfortunately, the room is open, and noise from the toddler room flows to the infant room. They also don't have a designated space for sleeping- the cribs are on the perimeter of the room.
Lachlan
born March 2012
DD2 is heavily distracted by noise and light. I believe she feels she missing out on something if she sleeps through it. When will he transition to the next room? Is the next room quieter? You can always ask if he can take a nap with the older kids in their classroom. It may not be possible but it never hurts to ask.
ETA: For some reason I read he was 15 mo and just saw your siggy. DD2 didn't sleep well until she hit the 1 yo classroom. We went through the same thing and she had reflux issues too. Fortunately for us, she STTN almost immediately and I have always credited it to being exhausted during the day.
Thank you- that's helpful!
Lachlan
born March 2012
Our DC has two baby-rooms, Baby A for babies about 6 weeks - 6 months, and Baby B for babies 6-12 months. Our twin girls just moved over the Baby B about 6 weeks ago, and it's been ridiculous since. They just do not nap in the older baby room. The older baby room is only separated from the 1-2 yr room by a half wall. All the cribs run around the perimeter of the room. The 1-2 yrs are noisy. My girls just won't really nap. There is way too much stimulation, I think.
I worry, because our girls were born prematurely by 8 weeks, and they seem to get sick/ get colds all the time. Now they barely sleep at DC. Arg. I feel for your frustrations.
but! My girls have always slept through the night - since 9 weeks. They sleep about 12-14 hours a night on weekends.
This is a really good point. My son was the same way. They could only get him to nap when all the other kids were napping, and that usually ended up being around noon when all the babies seemed to be down. And they rocked him to sleep.
He transitioned to the "older baby" room at 11 months and literally, the first day there, he slept for 2 hours at naptime. Because it's set, the room is dark and quite, all the bigger babies sleep amazingly well. He also goes to bed on his own in that room. Lies down on his cot, and falls asleep. They really do learn to self-soothe on their own.