Let Baby know that quiet time is for Mama, too. Explain to Baby how quiet time works (what she can do, how long it will last), and that during quiet time, Mama is not available to help Baby unless absolutely necessary (and so Mama will not respond to Baby’s requests). Plan B: Train Baby to self-entertain, even when you’re in the room. If you have no other location options for quiet time that keep Baby contained, you have to move to plan B. If you have an office, a spare bedroom, or a playroom, any of these places can work for quiet time. However, if Baby shares a room with a napping sibling, Baby’s room isn’t going to be the best place for quiet time because quiet time should definitely overlap with naptime for mama’s sanity. This ensures that Baby gets solid quiet time, and SO DOES MAMA! I even encourage using a child-proof knob cover or locking the door from the outside to help keep Baby in her room for the duration of quiet time. If possible, quiet time should take place in Baby’s room.

Consider giving Baby a “potty pass,” - a ticket that can be used to call mom back ONE time, so encourage Baby to only use it if she really needs something, like a potty break. Explain the parameters of quiet time - approximately how long it will last, that Mama won’t be coming into the room during quiet time, show what Baby can do during quiet time, and address how you’ll handle any particular behaviors you anticipate (kicking and screaming at the door, for instance). Part of growing up means she doesn’t need a nap anymore, and instead she gets to do quiet time! Her body still needs rest in the day, so she’ll now get that rest in the form of quiet time. Sometime during the morning, explain to Baby that she’s growing up. Ever since switching to quiet time, she willingly and happily goes to her room at the appointed time. She was getting more and more resistant to going down at naptime because naptime meant being confined to her dark room, awake, for 90 minutes - aka BORING. Not only is she staying awake most naptimes, but she’s not falling asleep in the car or on the couch before bedtime.īy the time we transitioned Ada (at 3y8m), she was napping maybe twice per week for a month or so. You’ll know it’s time to make the switch when Baby is not falling asleep at naptime more often than she is falling asleep, despite using Crib 90 daily. If Baby is still napping most days or conking out at 5pm on days she doesn’t nap, hold onto the nap! While it’s common for toddlers and preschoolers to refuse to nap, you can encourage Baby to keep her nap by making sure naptime is happening at the same time every day (and it should be right after lunch - no playtime between lunch and nap!) you’re using Crib 90 and try putting pjs on, since Baby’s concept of time is still a little wonky - she doesn’t quite know the difference between naps and nights! Some kids will show you they definitely still need to keep their nap. Personally, I typically recommend holding onto naps as long as possible. later) and Baby’s ability to go on afternoon outings (older siblings want to go out vs. Aligning Baby’s schedule with the rest of the family’s schedules is typically the deciding factor, as dropping the nap (or not) affects Baby’s bedtime (earlier vs. After age 3, you have more flexibility to choose whether you’d like to hold onto the nap or drop it. Before age 3, we really want to hold onto the nap because it’s still so important for Baby’s development.

Kids are ready to drop their nap sometime between 3 and 5 years old.

How do you know it’s time to switch to quiet time?

Breaking the quiet part 3. with sound