Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

So, DD has pretty much always been a screamer for naptime. The amount of time she carries on can vary each day. Sometimes it is a few minutes, other times it could be on and off for 30 mins. She eventually falls asleep (could take up to an hour or more). Sometimes I cave and go in and rub her back - she is usually asleep within minutes if I do this. I know this is a terrible habit to form, so I try not to do it. I guess I am trying to do a cry it out sort of thing, but I hate hearing her yell "mommy, mommy, mommy!"....I feel so bad. She does not give me a problem going in for naps, she goes through the motions and only starts screaming when I leave the room. She is extremely clingy to me, so I know this adds to it. I just don't know what to do. Just looking for some advice on what to do. She is too little to give up her nap - she usually sleeps and hour and a half to two hours.

She is also screaming more at bedtime too. My older DD never did this, so this is all new to me! I can't handle all the screaming!!

Re: Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

no one has anything to say?

Re: Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

Posted by nicknmb

no one has anything to say?

Re: Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

I was right there with you
I actually called a sleep coach for advice because I couldn't take it anymore.
In my opinion, sounds like you're doing the right thing by just rubbing her back.
The sleep lady gave me a whole routine & said when DD flips out when I leave the room to go back in & rub her back to comfort her for a minute & go back out. The next time wait 3mins to go back in if she was still hysterical, then 5mins, 10 mins & so on.
It's kind of like a version of the Ferber method (I think.)
It was really hard & took her about a month & a half to go in with out crying
Heart breaking but worth it because now she goes in for nap & bed pretty good.
Our latest issue is that she doesn't always fall asleep for naps but at least she plays quietly for an hour so I can have a little break.
Good luck!

Re: Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

Posted by Beck

I was right there with you
I actually called a sleep coach for advice because I couldn't take it anymore.
In my opinion, sounds like you're doing the right thing by just rubbing her back.
The sleep lady gave me a whole routine & said when DD flips out when I leave the room to go back in & rub her back to comfort her for a minute & go back out. The next time wait 3mins to go back in if she was still hysterical, then 5mins, 10 mins & so on.
It's kind of like a version of the Ferber method (I think.)
It was really hard & took her about a month & a half to go in with out crying
Heart breaking but worth it because now she goes in for nap & bed pretty good.
Our latest issue is that she doesn't always fall asleep for naps but at least she plays quietly for an hour so I can have a little break.
Good luck!

Re: Screaming at naptime (20 months old)

Posted by Bellaocchi

Posted by nicknmb

no one has anything to say?

Sorry to hear your having a hard time.
I too have the same issue with DS it nap time.
Only for his nap does he scream when I put him in his crib.
Nighttime he does great. I am a sahm now... And it's been really too hard hearing him scream so, I let him nap with me in my bed and we nap together. He falls asleep right away.
Sorry, I can't be of much help.

The way I see it, one day they will be bigger and won't need to nap and one day my DS won't need me to cuddle next to him. Life goes by to quick, if I let him nap with me I don't stress it.
If were out or at my parents, that a different story he will nap either in car seat or in the stroller at my parents.
Good luck! huggy: