Naps are LIFE!
Not only are they needed for brain development and to consolidate memory but are ESSENTIAL for a child’s physical and emotional development. They are a biological necessity.
In addition to this they are a time for rest and re-charge for parents and children. So they are a necessity for YOU and your mental health as well. Especially now, in the crisis we are currently living and the reality that we are spending all day indoors with our children.
During this time MORE THAN EVER do we need consistent routines and naps. For security, mental health and to keep a parents sanity. I’m sure you’ve experienced the rath of an infant that has skipped a nap. Enough said.
Here are three things to implement that will help you achieve better naps:
Environment. Ensuring a great environment is more important than you think. It not only helps to encourage the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone but it also promotes longer more restful naps. You can set naps up for success by eliminating light or sounds that might cause your baby to wake up and have a harder time going back down again. This is also key for on the go naps.
Find your sweet spot. Get that timing down! watch those wake windows and stay consistent with your routine. It doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule but putting baby down at the right time will make all the difference. There is always a balance between wake windows and biological nap windows - find this information and how to structure naps (length, timing, re-settling) in the naps masterclass here.
Wind down. A pre-sleep ritual is not only for bedtime. You can help cue your baby for sleep before naps as well. This will make them relaxed (not drowsy as putting them down wide awake is important) so that they can drift off to sleep easier. 10 minutes is a nice length for a wind down before naps. A few key cues, try a book, some cuddles a song, whatever is special for you.
If you want to learn more about naps, you can access my Nap Masterclass, it provides you an instant downloadable workbook and video tutorial as well as, two weeks in my online community where I will answer your questions once a week! So you have my support through this.
If you want to chat about your particular situation you can also book a free no-obligation call with me so we can get to the bottom of what’s going on and I can provide some age appropriate advice.
Happy napping my friends!
xx
Lil