by Samantha Stevens

Created on: January 02, 2009

Different situations may make naptime or bedtime difficult for an infant or small toddler. Nevertheless, naps are an important part of a young child's life and growth. It gives both the child and parent a chance to recharge their energy for later in the day. It also increases their health and happiness. So I enclosed a few tips on how to make baby feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed for naptime.

The most important factor is consistency. Babies, though they are not aware of this, need a consistent schedule. They need to wake, eat, sleep, at certain times of the day. They need to nap at the same time every day so that their bodies can adjust properly. If a parent tries to nap a child at 1pm one day, 3pm the next day, and 5pm the following day, they are more susceptible to irritability and confusion. If they are napped at the same time every day, they will be used to being tired at a specified time.

Next, take certain steps to prepare baby for their nap. Don't just walk in, place them in their crib, and leave. That might scare the child. A parent should get in the habit of doing something special for their child so their bodies can settle down beforehand. For example, a parent can take a warm cloth or lotion and wash their infant's face and tummy to relax them before putting them to bed.

After the child is placed in the crib, don't just walk out of the room. Sing them a song, read them a book, or just talk to them for a few minutes; then leave the room peacefully. Gentleness is especially important here. Even if the child is showing signs of irritation, be as gentle and loving as possible. They need to know that no matter what they do, you care for them. If the baby continues to cry, play some soft music and sit with the baby, maybe rock them a few times so they will calm down. Remember, it is never appropriate to yell at a baby. It never works in calming them down.

When it's time to wake up the child, it's a good idea to enter the room gently as well. Scaring the child from a nap may cause them to cry. Sing a song or touch them softly if they're still sleeping. Smile, laugh, be happy in their presence. When it comes to toddlers, if you're happy to see them, they're happy to see you.

Naptime is a special time for a child and so important for growth. If you make it an enjoyable experience for your child, you may be surprised at the results.

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