Need help with getting my just- 2 year old grandson to have a sleep after lunch

It sounds as if he's starting to grow out of naps so have you tried making a warm/hot drink for both of you and cuddling up together on the sofa for a 'quiet time'? Either in front of CBB's or reading stories. I used to have my book to hand for when/eventually if he dropped off. It gave me an excuse to sit and do nothing too for an hour! Some children don't need a full nap by that age, just a quiet time.

if you have a park near you take him and get him out of the pushchair and kick a ball and run about! They need to run off there 'steam' and come home and nap! why would a child need a sleep if they have not had a run about to tire them!

welbeck, to give granny a bit of probably much needed peace!

I used to look after a little Gdd but would have found it so much more tiring without the nap. I don’t mind admitting that I was fairly tough - just put her in her cot, would sing for a few minutes but then say, ‘Time for sleepy-byes now’ and leave her. She’d usually cry or grizzle for a while, but would then go off for well over an hour. She was used to a parent always sitting or lying with her until she went to sleep, but I wasn’t prepared to do that. She still needed the sleep, and I needed the quiet time, but I was an older granny, late 60s when she was born, and I do think that makes a difference.

I put GS in his buggy, tuck him up with Wabbit and his blanket, and keep walking until I can see he's slumped to one side! Soon as I can see he's asleep, I turn around, go back home and lift him gently onto the sofa to continue his nap. Some days I can walk quite a long way before he goes off but I've found that bumpy roads are more sleep inducing than smooth ones!

why does he have to sleep if he doesn't want to.

Speak to DIL and try to do same thing each day. DGS2 is 2.5 and has nap for 1 ½ hours from about midday. I do same as his Mummy. Clean nappy, sleeping bag on, curtains shut, Hummy on (white noise), milk, and comforter. Normally asleep before milk finished but if not I sing Twinkle Twinkle and Rainbow song softly and he's asleep. Today he wouldn't sleep for childminder and was distraught when he came back, wouldn't eat tea, wouldn't have anyone but Mummy and has gone to cot an hour early without tea - still drinks a lot of milk so not starved! Still showing signs he needs his nap. DGD is 3.5 and dropped her nap about 2 and 10 months. Was difficult as she would fall asleep in buggy on school run which is 1.4 miles both ways and DD was upset if we let her but conceded it was not our job as grandparents to make an almost sleeping toddler to get out and walk. She stopped her nap when she learned to scoot to school. She is in bed by 7 but up at 6.30 or earlier. Each child is different though.

....sorry, that should read "walks" not "was"

Why not have a chat with your DIL about exactly what she does when putting him down for his nap Nikiya? I have a GD of a similar age and had problems in getting her to nap for as long as she does at home ( and that DID include was in the big coach built pram!) but a chat with my daughter revealed a specific couple of needs for this little girl who loves to sleep. You both need to be on the same page with this.

I agree with those who have said that you must mention this to your Dil.

It's highly likely that she is having similar problems, and even if she isn't, she might have some suggestions.

Both of my DiLs would want/have wanted to know, as any change in the daytime sleep pattern can have a knock-on effect at night, and it helped both of us to share any changes and share 'solutions'.

I agree its that awkward stage where children don't need a nap really but can't always last until bedtime. Talk to your daughter in law Nikiya and then take each day as it comes, he may nap one day but not another. His mother needs to know if he has slept or not though.
A quiet time is a good idea and gives you both a chance to recharge your batteries a little.

Grannynannywanny

Nikiya I found with all 4 of my grandchildren by the time they were 2 it was time to drop the afternoon nap. It was a challenge in the first few weeks as they sometimes came close to nodding off at 4pm. I used that last hour before dinner to have a play in the bath or even an outdoor play. Then dinner and early bed.
Maybe your 2 yr old is letting you know he no longer needs an afternoon nap.

Yes, I agree with Grannynannywanny

My DGD had both given up their daytime nap by age 2, as had my DD, and even a quick 5 minutes meant they wouldn't go to sleep until about 9 pm.

The problems arose if we drove them home as they'd nod off in the car.

It sounds as if your DGS has reached that awkward stage, needing to give up a daytime sleep but not quite lasting through to bedtime at about 7 pm.

I am no better at getting babies to sleep conventionally than before
It's not you - he's just not a baby any more and probably approaching the terrible twos.

My DGS stopped his afternoon nap just after his 2nd birthday. He still has the occasional nap in the car, but then won’t go to sleep at bedtime so we try not to encourage that. We have a quiet hour with books/tv after lunch. I’m like you and look after him for two days a week. Communication is the key here, it’s not your fault he won’t sleep but your d in law needs to know.

White noise is good, my daughter has used that from day one with my granddaughter. Not sure how well it would work if you start later, but you’re supposed to be able to use it from any time. Worth a try, but...not without checking with DIL first.

DGS stopped his afternoon nap at about 2, but he did and still does sleep very well at night. As DS2 did not sleep at all, perhaps 4 hours a night, from age 1 to 5 I was very happy with the night time sleeping.
All children are different, perhaps you are over-stimulating him before nap time.??

White noise or soothing music used to work with my grandson. But I agree with others re telling your d in law. You could be worrying about it and she could have just forgotten to say that he's not keen on a nap at home now either!

I sympathise! I look after my dgs 2 days a week too. Naps are interesting. For example last Monday he slept in the travel cot for two hours. Tuesday he wouldn't sleep at all. There didn't appear to be any particular reason. So keep trying to get him to nap. However, I think it's really important you let your dil know he isn't sleeping at your house. She might have suggestions for you. It also helps her to know his daily routine when not with her. Does he go to someone else the other days? Do they have a different routine to you? That can also make a difference. If he won't nap, then a quiet hour watching his favourite film/show or reading his favourite book. If not an hour, then a half hour. Good luck.

Yes, I’m not very good at reading the titles properly. I get a basic idea, but concentrate on the main text for the info. Must try harder?.

Ha ha, crossed posts Toadinthehole!

When you say 2- just 2 or nearly 3? Mine both grew out of daytime naps around 2.5

In the title of the post.

As GNW says, at 2, he is probably starting to outgrow that post lunch nap. He will probably be tired later in the afternoon, BUT don't give in and let him nap then, because it will have an adverse affect on his bedtime.

My 2 year old DGS no longer wants a midday nap but loves a 4 or 5pm doze but then will roar around the house until 9 or 10pm. No wonder my daughter is so adamant that he does something active at that time.

Sorry, just seen it in the title!?

Where does it say he’s two years old?

Nikiya I found with all 4 of my grandchildren by the time they were 2 it was time to drop the afternoon nap. It was a challenge in the first few weeks as they sometimes came close to nodding off at 4pm. I used that last hour before dinner to have a play in the bath or even an outdoor play. Then dinner and early bed.
Maybe your 2 yr old is letting you know he no longer needs an afternoon nap.

He probably thinks that you are doing all sorts of interesting things while he is banished to a boring nap! It could be that he is starting to be the same at home. You could ask your daughter-in-law what she does to persuade him to sleep? She may have some magic technique - or she may be having the same trouble and be very happy to exchange any ideas with you.

One idea is to put him into the travel cot with some toys, or with sleepy music playing, and lie down yourself at the same time. Say, "Granny is going to have a nap now.", close your eyes and pretend to fall asleep. Don't be tempted to open your eyes and "wake up" too soon, or it will become a game of hide and seek! You may find that you do doze off, and you never know, so may he.