There are many days when DS will not fall asleep on his own for his nap without intervention. He looks and acts tired but, when I try to put him in his crib, he argues with me. I tell him that he can have quiet time instead but I know he needs a nap - I can see it in his eyes and in his actions. If I go in there within a few minutes of putting him to nap and lightly massage his legs or arms, most of the time he will fall asleep (and he rarely sleeps less than 2 hours during his naps if I let him sleep that long). I can't always do that, though, since I'm usually feeding his sister or trying to get
her to nap.
I don't mind taking him out and just letting him play but he's exhausted by the end of the day without a nap, not to mention he usually wakes at night if he hasn't napped that day.
Some notes:
- He sleeps a good 11-12 hours per night and I know that he could do with at least an hour nap.
- He also has a little sister (15 mo at the moment) but I honestly don't see what she would have to do with his naps. (She's currently transitioning from 2 to 1 nap.)
- He doesn't always eat very well before his naps and I really wonder if that has something to do with it. I can't force the food down his throat and refuse to give him junk food just to satisfy him so I let him eat whatever he eats and whatever I can "trick" him into eating.
Any suggestions?