One of the most challenging things as a parent is when your child does not sleep well. Sleep is crucial to their health and well being so it is even more frustrating when you put the time into sleep at home just for it all to unravel at Daycare. First you should understand that this is an extremely common struggle that parents experience when they begin or switch Childcare. And second, this does not need to be a forever problem that you have to spend every weekend trying to correct. Here are some tips on making that transition easier for everyone involved..
Is it normal for babies to not nap at Daycare?
YES! It is completely normal for your child to struggle with sleep at Daycare, especially if it is a new thing to them. Here are a few reasons that your child could be struggling with naps while at childcare..
It’s a new environment
Until now, your child has been used to you and their regular sleep space for all of their naps. Daycare brings in a lot of new faces, all new surroundings, and possibly even a new schedule. It may just be that your baby needs a little time to adapt and feel more comfortable with their surroundings to be able to comfortably nap.
It’s distracting
Think of a daycare, any daycare. What do you picture? I’m assuming it’s lots of kids running around and playing with loud over stimulating toys. They create a fun enjoyable experience for your child, but imagine trying to take a nap in that environment! If your Daycare doesn’t have a separate sleep space away from the hustle of the other kids, your babies FOMO and extra stimulation may be keeping them awake.
New schedule
Daycares typically have a set schedule to make the day easier for those that are caring for your children. Although this makes sense in the big picture, the new schedule may not align with your baby’s individual sleep needs leading to poor naps from your child being either under or over tired.
How do I get my baby to sleep at Childcare?
First, manage what is in your control. Work with your child at home to help them learn to fall asleep independently. If they are able to sleep well at home, they will have an easier time transitioning into sleeping at Daycare once they get used to the new surroundings. On the days that you are with your child, make sure you are following an age appropriate schedule for them. If they are getting quality sleep on the weekend, they’ll be able to rest easier at Daycare as well. Dropping an already overtired baby off at Daycare on Monday morning is just setting the tone of the week to become a dumpster fire!
Communicate with your Daycare! While most childcare centers do have a schedule they follow, they are usually more than happy to help! A well rested child makes their job easier as well so if your baby woke up earlier than usual, let them know! I’m sure they would be happy to let your baby rest a little earlier. Ask them to keep things consistent by using the same sleep space for your child everyday so they can grow comfortable with it and eventually start napping like the king/queen they are!
Drop off familiar items. Do you use the same sleep sack for every nap and bedtime? Drop on at daycare! Does your toddler have a favorite stuffy to sleep with, bring it to Daycare! By bringing familiar items and the comfort of home that they already associated with sleep, it may create a more seamless transition.
Don’t forget to be patient. This may all be brand new to your little one and we all take time to adjust to new things, but they will get there!
How long does it take for a baby to get used to napping at Daycare?
This all depends on your child and their personality. While starting Daycare can be extremely exciting, it’s also a huge change for your baby or toddler! Make sure to give your child extra grace and patience with the transition.
How do I handle the car ride home from Childcare?
If your child slept terribly (or not at all) at Daycare and falls asleep on the way home, that’s ok! In a perfect world, they would stay awake for the ride so you can carry on with your bedtime routine and schedule as normal once you get home, but sometimes all that relaxing motion is just too much for baby to fight after such a long day. If your child falls asleep in the car for less than 30 mins, then shorten their next wake window by about 15-20 minutes. If you have a longer ride and your child sleeps 30 minutes or longer on the way home, make sure they get a full wake window before bed to avoid false starts due to being undertired. This may mean bedtime is pushed a little later, but it’s all temporary during the adjustment period!
About The Author
Hi! I’m Alisha! I am a wife, mom, step mom, fur mom, and Certified Sleep Coach at Tiny Transitions. My whole journey with pediatric sleep began when I had my baby because who knew you have to teach a baby to sleep!? I didn’t at least. Don’t they just like….sleep when they are tired?! HA, insert my FOMO baby and we were spending so many nights and naps rocking and bouncing to try and trick him into getting some sleep. This led me down a rabbit hole earning my google degree in Pediatric Sleep, but there was SO much contradicting information out there and I knew I couldn’t be the only one who felt that way. I chose to become Certified through The Institute of Pediatric Sleep so I could help families take the confusion out of their child’s sleep. I bring an empathetic, gentle approach so you can feel confident in both our journey together as well as the results. If you feel as though you could use some help with your child’s sleep, I am always available for a call! You can book me through Tinytransitions.com/Alisha. I can not wait to meet you and your little one!
