Naps - Salinas, CA

Updated on May 06, 2008
S.B. asks from Salinas, CA
11 answers

Our son has been an excellent sleeper from day one. We are indeed blessed. He sleeps in his crib for naps and bedtime. Has done this since 5 months old. When we would travel, he slept fine in the pack-n-play. However, just in the past 2 months, he no longer likes the travel sleeper and well, ends up sleeping with us which is fine. He's no dummy, he prefers the cush of a mattress : ) Here's the kick: He will start in-home daycare in the fall while I complete some clincals and they keep our personal pack-n-play to use for naps. Well, as mentioned, our son does not like it anymore. He screams or immediately wakes up when placed inside after having fallen asleep in my arms. I was just looking for insight as to how to prepare for daycare and his nap. I thought of bringing it out of storage and just have open for him to explore at home and well, go from there. I also plan to bring his favorite stuffed puppy, blanket, and book for comfort. Daycare is going to be a huge transition for both of us and well, taking a nap in a different, unfamiliar room will be tough as it is...but not liking the pack-n-play well, I'm afraid he won't nap at all...which typically he does okay, but don't want to encourage the no nap thing yet! I just have this image of him standing in the pack-n-play in tears wondering where in the world is mommy and why did she leave me here? We start bi-monthly playdates at the daycare this week and will be asking our daycare provider for ideas as well. Any insight is most appreciated.

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B.L.

answers from San Francisco on

I think you already know what to do - get him back in that pack-n-play at home so it is what he knows for naptime. He will fuss and scream for awhile but he will learn what you teach him. Be consistent too. That is the key. This is where naps are taken and that will sooooo help with the transition to daycare. You are smart to start working on this ahead of time. Be consistent and remember that the crying affects you much more than him. He will get it and you are smart - you can do it.

+B+

More Answers

C.C.

answers from Fresno on

I don't know if this is a possibility with your day care provider, but what we did to make the Pack-n-Play more comfortable was to buy a twin-sized egg-crate mattress pad and then cut it down to fit the little pack-n-play mattress. Then I put a crib sheet over the top (since the PnP fitted sheet won't fit once you've added a mattress pad). My daughters never slept well on that hard mattress either, but the egg crate thing worked wonders for us. Maybe if you try this at home for a couple of naptimes (or even put him in there with his toys to play a little), he will get over his resistance to the pack-n-play.

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T.F.

answers from Stockton on

Hope you ignored the lady who tried to make you feel guilty for going back to work. It never ceases to amaze how others can judge so harshly - especially when they don't know anything about your situation.

Maybe I misread, but are you putting him into bed when he's already asleep? If so, that is part of the problem. I've done that and it's hard to stop, but it has to. They won't do that at daycare. At his age, it probably means putting up with some crying.

If that's not the case, then I really haven't any ideas that the other moms haven't touched upon. But, do realize that this will largely be a problem for daycare. They should be pretty experienced getting little ones transitioned into their setting. They will figure it out. So, do what you can, but don't worry overly much. Transitions can be rough, but you will all get through it. Also, remember that children are often more pliable for others than for their moms. They know they've got us wrapped around their fingers.

Baby's calling. Good luck!

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M.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I wouldnt bother putting him through all of this. I'd find a way to put off the clinicals or job and stay with my son. It's goign to be such a battle, and what for?

Good luck-
M.

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J.E.

answers from Sacramento on

S.:

My first son was in daycare starting at 5 months old and initially they had individual cribs for each baby to sleep and then they transitioned them to a cot - I seem to recall that happening at around 14 - 15 months old (but it did depend on the child). My second son is in a different daycare (Montessori) and he is 10 months old - they sleep on mattresses on the floor for nap (it is like a bed box) - they don't have cribs, pack 'n plays at all (its a Montessori thing re not restricting the child or something like that). My now 3 year old son naps on a nap mat at school now. Anyway, my point is - maybe try a cot or nap mat. I know it seems counterintuitive that he would stay there for a nap but they seem to have no problem with at the daycares my sons have been at - of course in a center all of the other kids in the class are the same age and are napping at the same time so that helps. Is he doing one big nap a day now - if not he is almost ready for that transition. Then it might be easier because hopefully some of the other kids at the daycare are napping at the same time. The confinement of the pack 'n play might be what is causing the issue. Good luck! I've found that kids are extremely adaptable and sometimes do things for others that they won't do for us parents.

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C.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Welcome to California! (if that's where you are, I read a response from a woman in AZ on this website, too, so who knows)
My son slept in a play pen for MONTHS with a 1 1/2 inch memory foam mattress pad folded into quarters. It was a queen size pad. The daycare center probably won't want to deal with that but maybe, like someone else said, you could cut a piece down to size and put a sheet over it??? Whatever happens, he's going to be alright. You both will adjust. Hang in there and good luck!

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B.H.

answers from Sacramento on

We keep a pack and play for my son at my parents house. We bought a mattress at Babies R us specifally made for pack and plays. My son says his pack and play is cozy. haha. There isn't anything in the mattress other than a piece of foam covered in waterproof material. When the pack and play is folder up the mattress can be squeezed into the carrying case as well. It just takes a few minutes for it to pop back out into shape.

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J.K.

answers from Fresno on

Is he to big now for the pac n play? It should only be used as a nap place not as a play pen if you want him to nap there and the daycare porovider needs to know this as well. He will adjust fairly easily. It would be good to stop rescuing him from it and taking him to nap with you even if he gries. Put him down for his nap without rocking him to sleep as well since the daycare probsbly wont do that either unless it is a grandparent.

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E.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you tried adding the extra mattress to the pack-n-play? They sell them at places like Babies-R-Us and could add the comfort he's looking for. Also get the padded sheet that goes on top. My son definitely preferred this when he got older.

Good luck!

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P.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I would buy a ready-made mattress for the pack-n-play or purchase foam cut to fit from a fabric/craft store. Who wants to sleep on 1/2 of foam after enjoying a 5-inch bed mattress??? I'm willing to bet that it's not the environment that he dislikes, it's simply that sleeping on that hard surface is what he dislikes.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I wouldn't worry. Kids act completely different when the parents are not around. When my first was at day care, my provider just let my daughter lay there, and eventually she would fall asleep. And it becomes the norm, because in a house that is completely unknown to her, the pack and play was hers, and she knew it.
If it is truly a comfort thing, maybe get another piece of foam or some something and make it more cush so he is comfortable. Babies go thru many stages and phases with sleep. Everytime one of mine got a tooth, or was the tiniests bit stuffy, it totally affected their sleep.
Good luck!

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