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18 months, sudden tantrums at naptime?

TobieRoseTobieRose member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
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? 
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Re: 18 months, sudden tantrums at naptime?

  • alliecat531alliecat531 member
    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.
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  • vrj0522vrj0522 member
    edited November 2013
    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.


    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Me: 38 DH: 36
    Married 8/27/2011
    BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
    BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
    BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
    BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
    BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
    BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018


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  • SunAndRainSunAndRain member
    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.
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