Going Out to Dinner with Kids While on a Sleep Schedule
How to Improve Daycare Naps
When your child goes to day care, there’s an inherent adjustment period as they adapt to their new schedule. They may learn some new behaviors you haven’t seen before from the other children, and it’s also possible they aren’t getting the same quality or quantity of rest they get with you at home. You can work on daycare naps so that your little one is happy when you are at home and so you don’t start to see impacts on overnight sleep.
These are our top tips for working on daytime sleep with your daycare provider:
1. Ask Questions
Don’t be timid; it’s totally okay (actually, it’s downright wonderful!) for you to take an interest in the details of your child’s day, even for the moments you can’t share with them.
- When Do They Nap?
- Where Do They Nap?
- How Are They Put Down For Nap Time?
Asking what the nap time routines are, where they sleep, how they are put down for their naps, noise level in the room/building when it’s rest time, and if the napping room is darkened, can help you get a full picture of what daycare nap practices are in place.
You may find out it’s the next best thing to being at home with you and they’re doing everything just like you would, or you might discover that their systems are radically different than your own and your child is quite possibly very confused.
2. Set A Plan For Consistency
Together with your child’s day care, set a plan that is realistically consistent for your child. This will help you plan your evening hours together.
3. Adjust Your Home Routine
It’s okay to adjust bedtime on day care days if it’s close to what’s normal or you can create a new routine that works. The goal bedtime should work for both you and your baby. Avoid overtiredness, stress, and crankiness with a bedtime that does not exceed an age appropriate wake window from their last nap.
4. Give it time
Chances are that while your day care is doing their best for your child, the presence of other kids and a different environment are part of what is throwing your little one off. They may adjust over time! If you’re little one is still struggling with daycare naps, ask for help. That’s why we’re here to support you!