Your toddler may resist taking an afternoon nap in his own bed, but KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation, notes that your toddler still needs a one or two-hour nap each day to get sufficient rest. A resistant toddler can make your afternoon stressful, so make sure that you create the ideal sleeping environment for your toddler so he has the tools to get the best rest in his own bed each afternoon. Making him feel safe and comfortable can go a long way in helping him get the rest that he needs.
Step 1
Set a predictable daily routine and stick to it consistently, suggests Families.com. Changing nap times can interrupt your toddler's internal clock, and make it difficult for her to wind down come nap time. Set a nap time each day during the same afternoon hours, choosing the time where your toddler is most likely to become tired. Each day, lay your child in her bed whether she seems tired or not to follow your schedule in a consistent and realistic manner.
Step 2
Bring your child to the store and allow him to pick out a comfort item to help him sleep. Direct him to choose something soft and quiet, without distracting sounds or lights. It could be a small stuffed animal or an especially soft blanket. Allow your child to only use the comfort item while napping in his own bed. If he comes out of his room or tries to sleep in your bed, the comfort item is removed and placed back into his bed. For some toddlers, the need for the comfort item can be enough to keep him in his bed.
Step 3
Place your toddler in the same bed where she sleeps each night. It can be tempting to allow her to fall asleep on the couch or in your bed, but this sends a mixed message of where sleep should happen, says BabyCenter.com. By placing her to sleep in the same location during both naps and bedtime, she understands that her bed is a place of sleep and it should become part of her daily routine.
Step 4
Watch for signs that your toddler is getting cranky, says FamilyEducation.com. You shouldn't have to rock or carry your toddler to sleep in his own bed. Instead, wait until he is cranky or fussy, and place him in bed while he's sleepy, yet still awake. This teaches him to self-soothe himself to sleep without the help of songs, motion or other aids to make him fall asleep.
Step 5
Avoid allowing your toddler to fall asleep in locations other than her bed, including the car or stroller, suggests "Parents" magazine. This disrupts the sleep schedule and may cause her to be resistant to sleeping in her own bed in the future. Plan trips and errands around nap time, getting home in plenty of time to get your toddler into her own bed for an afternoon nap.
