If your child is about to start nursery or spend time with a childminder, you might be wondering how to help them settle, nap well, and avoid those dreaded micro naps. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
It’s completely normal for even great sleepers to have a bit of a regression when they begin childcare. I have seen the areas in a nursery where children nap and have wondered if the children can even get any sleep with all the stimulation and noise but you know what…they do.
Napping in a new place can be tough, there may be more noise, more light, and lots of other children around. Imagine trying to nap in a room full of people, it takes some adjustment! Add in all the new stimulation, and your little one may end up overtired or full of adrenaline, which can make bedtime more challenging.
Here are some simple strategies to help your child adapt:
1. Take It Slowly
Most nurseries and childminders have a settling-in period, but if possible, start with shorter days. Arriving a little later or picking up earlier can make a big difference. This gentler start helps your child adjust without becoming overtired.
2. Communicate With Your Nursery or Childminder
Talk to your child’s key worker about their usual nap routine so they can try to stick to it as much as possible. If you get the chance, check out the sleep space for things like noise and lighting. If it feels too bright or noisy, you could suggest adding a blackout blind or using white noise.
3. Send Comfort from Home
Pack their favourite teddy, blanket, or comforter so they have something familiar at nap time. If they sleep in a sleeping bag at home, send that along too it will smell and feel like home. Pro tip: buy an additional like for like comforter if you haven’t already. Losing it can turn bedtime into a real struggle (we’ve learned this the hard way!).
4. Stay Consistent at Home
While it may take time for your child to settle into a new routine, try not to change too much about how they sleep at home. If they usually fall asleep independently, keep it that way. Make sure the childcare setting follows the same approach so new “sleep props” (like rocking or patting to sleep) don’t sneak into the routine. here is a blog for a ‘better bedtime routine‘ if you do not have one.
5. Prioritise an Early Bedtime
If naps are short or don’t happen at all at nursery in the beginning, make bedtime earlier. It’s fine to start the bedtime routine and have them in bed as early as 6pm. This gives them a chance to catch up on lost daytime sleep and wind down from all the new stimulation.
6. Expect Ups and Downs on Childcare Days
Some evenings may be harder than others, especially while your little one is adjusting. Keep track of when they nap at nursery so you can tweak bedtime if needed, often putting them down for bed earlier helps. It can also ease the pressure to simply accept that “nursery nights” may be trickier for a while.
7. Illness
Unfortunately a new environment and mixing with lots more children can result in a few more bouts of illness than you are used to. Here is my blog on how to manage illness and sleep.
8. When to Seek Extra Help
If your child already struggles with independent sleep, or if their sleep doesn’t improve within a month or so of starting childcare, it might be time for some extra support. I am here to chat through your child’s sleep and help you find solutions.
If after some time your little one is struggling with sleep please get in touch. Book a free, no obligation call and we can talk about working together to get you a better night’s sleep.
