Toddler Naps At Nursery Vs Home

It's hard enough to get a newborn or toddler to sleep at the best of times. But what's the best place for them to have their daytime naps - at home or in the nursery?

There are pros and cons to both. At home, your child is in a familiar environment and may feel more comfortable and relaxed. 

They're also more likely to be able to sleep for longer as they won't be distracted by other children or noise.

However, some toddlers may find it harder to settle down at home during the day as there are usually more things going on - such as siblings playing or parents working from home. And if you're not around, it can be difficult to put them down for a nap.

In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of toddlers napping at nursery vs home:

Are Naps at Nursery a Good Idea?

Your toddler has had a mad morning of playing with their friends and it's finally time for lunch. After they've eaten, it's straight to the cot for a nap.

At first, your child may cry as they miss you. But after a few minutes, they'll usually settle down and fall asleep.

The upside of your toddler having naps at nursery is that they'll be in a quiet, calm environment with few distractions. This means they're more likely to have a longer and deeper sleep.

And, as they'll be sleeping during the day, they should be able to sleep better at night too.

There are some downsides to naps at nursery, though. If your child is used to having naps at home, they may find it harder to adjust to a new environment.

They may also be upset at being away from you during the day.

Related: Top Tips for Handling Bedtime Struggles with Toddlers

What Nap Time Solutions Do Nurseries Offer?

The nature of babies and toddlers is that they need alot of sleep. So, most nurseries will have a designated 'sleep time' for all the children. This is usually around lunchtime.

During this time, the lights will be dimmed and the children will be encouraged to sleep. Some nurseries may even have special 'sleep music' playing in the background.

Most importantly, the staff will make sure that the children are comfortable and safe before they go to sleep - that way, they can rest assured that their child is in good hands.

How Do I Get Them to Sleep at Home?

Getting your baby or toddler down for a nap at home can be a bit of a juggling act. Here are some tips to help you:

Create a calming environment

First, you'll need to create a calm and relaxing environment for your child. This means keeping noise and light levels low. You might want to consider investing in some blackout curtains or an eye mask for your little one.

Stick to a routine

It's important to stick to a regular routine when it comes to naps. This means putting your child down at the same time each day. After a while, they'll start to associate this time with sleep and it'll be easier for them to drift off.

Put them down drowsy but awake

It's important to put your child down when they're drowsy but not yet asleep. This way, they'll be able to drift off on their own.

Be patient

If your child doesn't fall asleep straight away, don't worry. Just give them some time to settle. If after 20 minutes they're still awake, you can try gently patting their back or talking to them in a calm voice.

Signs of Sleep Regression in Toddlers

If your toddler suddenly starts resisting naps or waking up in the middle of the night, it could be a sign of sleep regression. This is when a child who was previously sleeping well starts to have problems sleeping.

Sleep regression is a normal part of a child's development. It usually occurs around 4 to 6 months, 9 to 10 months, 18 months, and 2 to 3 years old.

During a sleep regression, your child may:

• Have trouble falling asleep.
• Wake up often during the night.
• Sleep less during the day.
• Be cranky or irritable.

The signs:

• Fighting naps or bedtime.
• Difficulty falling asleep.
• Taking shorter naps or skipping naps.
• Frequently waking at night.
• Fussing and crying.

Fighting naps or bedtime

If your toddler is suddenly fighting naps or bedtime, it could be a sign of sleep regression. They may start to cry and tantrum when it's time for them to go to sleep.

This can be frustrating for parents, but it's important to stay calm and consistent with your bedtime routine. Eventually, they'll realize that it's time to sleep and settle down.

Difficulty falling asleep

If your toddler is having difficulty falling asleep, it could be because they're not tired enough. Make sure to give them plenty of opportunities to run around and play during the day.

You can also try adjusting their bedtime routine. For example, you might want to try reading a book together or giving them a bath before sleep.

Taking shorter naps or skipping naps altogether

If your toddler starts taking shorter naps or skipping naps altogether, it could be a sign of sleep regression. This is because they're not getting enough sleep during the night.

Make sure to stick to a regular nap schedule and give them plenty of opportunities to sleep during the day.

Frequently waking at night

If your toddler starts waking up frequently at night, it could be a sign of sleep regression. This is because they're not getting enough sleep during the day.

Make sure to stick to a regular nap schedule and give them plenty of opportunities to sleep during the day.

Fussing and crying

If your toddler starts fussing and crying, it could be a sign of sleep regression. This is because they're not getting enough sleep during the day.

Make sure to stick to a regular nap schedule and give them plenty of opportunities to sleep during the day.

How to Handle Sleep Regression

Sleep regression can be frustrating for both parents and toddlers.

But there are a few things you can do to help your child through it:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep during the day.
• Adjust your bedtime routine if necessary.
• Give your child some time to adjust to the new sleep schedule.

Sleep regression is a normal part of a child's development. It usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. After that, your child should be back to sleeping through the night.

If you're having trouble dealing with sleep regression, talk to your child's doctor. They may be able to offer some helpful advice.

In Summary

So, there you have it - our best advice on how to deal with toddler nap time, whether at nursery or at home.

If you have any further questions or if you think we missed something, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Let us know in the comments!