How to Get a Toddler to Take a Nap

Video Transcript

"Have you ever wondered how to get your toddler, your very busy, active toddler to take a nap in the middle of the daytime? Well, I'm Dr. Donna, with some advice on that. Most toddlers don't want to give it up. Let's face it; they don't want to stop playing. They don't want to leave what they're doing to take a nap, but naps are really important for toddlers. Some children are still taking two a day. Some need to work into just one a day, which is really quite okay when they get a little bit older. The most important thing is that your nap routine is the same every day, that it happens at the same time. You want to try to discourage your child from falling asleep in the stroller or the car seat, but I have to tell you, sometimes you can't prevent it. I'm known to do that. You have to run about, and your child will fall asleep during that time. If you're able to transition them from the stroller to the bed, then good for, I'm sorry, from the stroller to the car seat, then good for you. The other thing you can do with naps is make sure that leading into it there's some quiet activities. You could read a book; you could put on some music. My daughter loves to have this book on where she can listen to it. It's an audio book, and that really seems to calm her down, and helps her fall asleep. Also, make sure that during the daytime, sometimes the light can really interfere with a child's nap, so put em' in a room where the curtains can close. Also, white noise machines are fabulous to help em' take a nap during the daytime to prevent hearing lawn mowers and barking dogs. All those things will help your child take a peaceful, relaxing nap; maybe give you a chance to take a little, take a nap too. Good luck. I'm Dr. Donna, with some tips on nap tapin, nap taking. That's a tongueful, bye-bye."