A question for 2nd time mummies and beyond
My social circle is all 1st time mummies with children ranging up to two and we all put a lot of focus on naps. I feel very restricted because of to the expectations I’ve now built up. I was more chill on the nap front a couple of months ago but since she dropped to two naps I’m all “nap this. Nap that” and tbh it’s not my personality at all so missing a bit of myself. I want to do what’s good for her though.
Anyway, how do you do it? It can’t be simple? School runs or clashing naps or bedtime with a toddler. Or have you just let go and say “hey, they’re happy and clearly gets their sleep somewhere”
What would you say to me? - go with it and get out and enjoy life nap worry free? or would you say be grateful for the opportunity to focus on just her and get her naps in? Or a mix of the lot? Do your expectations of yourself and reality add up?
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We just go with the flow always have. I don’t wanna be restricted on where and when I can go based around naps, for us that’s just not realistic! Now we have two children my second has to adapt and nap on the go/ where he gets a chance otherwise my first son would never go to clubs or leave the house x
I have always been very go with the flow with naps, while trying to at least give my toddler the opportunity to nap when he needs to- eg if it's around nap time and I need to go out I will walk instead of drive if I can so if he drops off I don't have to wake him for getting in and out the car seat, but we have always focused on making sure his preferred nap location is his pram so we can be in or out and he just naps in his pram! My second hasn't had a second thought about naps yet, she just naps whenever and wherever at 3 months- honestly missing the odd nap here and there or it being a late danger nap and a late bedtime is absolutely fine as occasional occupancies and won't affect them as bad as you think!
Hiya, naps can definitely be tricky. I was never someone who wanted to be tied to nap time and be unable to do things because my girl needed a nap. From the time she was little I had her nap in loud places (keep her in the same room as us and vaccum etc) It helped her get used to sleeping anywhere. Then when I wanted to go out and she needed a sleep she could sleep in her push chair. I have a second daughter and we are doing the same thing and it’s working well.
My older one is 3.5 now. We had her take naps when she wanted to/ needed too but we were very strict about times. Absolutely no naps after 4pm no matter how tired she was, this helped her sleep through the night. When she got a bit past 2 we also don’t force her to take a nap only when she seems like she needed it (wobbly, lots of crying).
Does yours sleep through the night? I would suggest trying to be less strict on the napping at home and see how it goes. Good luck!
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