Epi #96. The Transition to Nap-Free Days Without Messing Up Bedtime

Hello, parents! Are bedtimes becoming a battleground in your home? 

If your child is struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, it might be a sign they've outgrown their naps. 

In today's podcast episode, I'll share my journey with my twins – how I recognized they were ready to drop their naps and how we smoothly transitioned to nap-free days without bedtime crankiness.

Section 1: Linking Nap Times and Bedtime Struggles

You know that feeling when you've napped too long during the day and then struggle to sleep at night? 

Well, our kids experience the same thing. If they're getting enough sleep during the day, it's natural they'll find it harder to drift off at night. 

Outgrowing naps is a very common cause of bedtime struggles. There are other common causes like bedtime separation anxiety, sleep anxiety, sensory-related needs, and more that could contribute to bedtime struggles.

Our "Transform Bedtime from Chaos to Calm" workshop covers the causes of bedtime struggles and provides parents with our signature Parenting With Understanding™️ system so that, In just five days, they can turn bedtime into a peaceful and fast part of the routine by addressing all underlying causes. 

Imagine cutting down two-hour bedtime struggles to a swift and serene 20-minute routine. 

You will turn your child's resistance into bedtime cooperation without the stress.

Don't just take our word for it; hear the success stories from parents who've turned their bedtime turmoil into tranquil nights through our workshop:


Ready for your own bedtime transformation? Visit HICparenting.com to embark on a journey toward restful nights. 

Section 2: Not-so-Obvious Signs Your Child Outgrew their Naps:

My twins had their own unique nap patterns. 

Santi started showing signs of shorter naps, a not-so-obvious clue he was outgrowing them. 

If he did sleep longer, bedtime became a real challenge. 

Miguel, on the other hand, resisted naps altogether. Both scenarios led to bedtime becoming more difficult, signaling it was time for a change.

When children are making that transition from meeting their sleep requirements with the naps vs with the night sleep, there is a big adjustment that happens at first when it comes to their bedtime routine. 

Section 3: Navigating the Shift to Nap-Free Days

Transitioning to no naps didn't mean immediate smooth sailing. 

I had to strategically adjust their bedtime to avoid overtiredness and crankiness. Temporarily moving bedtime earlier to 6:30 pm was our solution. 

I even brought in blackout curtains to simulate nighttime in our sunny Phoenix home. 

This helped their bodies adjust to a new sleep schedule – rest at night, active during the day.

Section 4: Managing Early Wake-Ups

With the earlier bedtime, one of my twins began waking up at the crack of dawn. 

We tackled this by gradually shifting his bedtime back to its original time. 

Now, at seven years old, they have a stable routine, sleeping from 8 pm to 7 am.

Conclusion:

I hope my story offers you a fresh perspective on managing this developmental stage for your child. 

Remember, every family's journey is unique. 

You're doing a fantastic job as a parent. For more detailed stories and tips, tune into the full podcast episode. And remember, understanding yourself and your children is the key to transforming your parenting journey with Parenting With Understanding™.

For more insights and personal stories on handling sleep transitions, be sure to listen to our complete podcast episode.