https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 00:53:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2571003 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:11:24 +0000 Cole 2571003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies! Today was just a rough day to skip a nap but she did eventually go down again so we were able to still head to swimming and we were both in better moods after the nap. Today was one of those days as a sahm where I just ran out of steam, we went to a farm, visited the animals picked strawberries, ran errands, painted, played, etc etc and yet it wasn't even close to the end of the day! She's asleep now and hopefully tomorrow will be a better sleep day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570991 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:49:53 +0000 QBbride 2570991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First I feel sorry for myself! Then I usually grab a coffee and head to the park, being outside is great for everyone plus then he can entertain himself!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570963 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:05:45 +0000 Mae 2570963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not clear on the question, is it how to fix short naps? (if you figure that out, let me know). Or what to do on a random short nap day? For the latter, we go to target. Seems to put us both in a better mood lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570949 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 19:20:28 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 2570949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is my life. I have a short napping 23 month old. He never consolidated his two naps into one long afternoon nap. He used to maybe get to 1.5 hours. But now he's an hour on a good day and 35 min on a bad day. And we mostly have bad days. </p> <p>I've tried everything, letting him cry himself back to sleep (doesn't work for day sleep), moving nap time later and abd earlier, extra fresh air, toys in crib, etc.</p> <p>I've had to just accept it and move on. But it's terrible. I have a 3.5 month old so I never get a break and since my toddler wakes up crying I can't even let him hang out in his crib for very long. :(</p> <p>I will say he watches slightly more tv than I'd like so I don't lose my mind. He's a great kid overall and good with night sleep but his crappy naps seriously treat all my patience! </p> <p>Also to answer your original question, I just go about the day as normal, I hate missing our classes and he already goes to bed pretty early at 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570920 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:46:20 +0000 gingerbebe 2570920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just pretend I don't know he's awake. Like I don't go in there and leave him be. Granted we are still in a crib so I can do that and he doesn't cry when he wakes up he just hollers and throws his stuffed animals around. I expect a 2 hour nap at least every day so if he wakes up earlier than he can have rest time laying there babbling to his homies. I do go get him if he starts crying however. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570867 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:21:45 +0000 SweetiePie 2570867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were you today:<br /> 1) cry (I feel your pain. That one nap is SO needed for me as well)<br /> 2) skip swimming. It's miserable when they didn't nap well. I know it may mean losing money but...money can't buy my sanity. My son also had a swim class at 4pm that ended about an hour before bedtime routine. If he didn't nap well, it was sheer misery. For both of us.<br /> 3) let him watch tv long enough that I feel recharged and ready to parent again<br /> 4) do something active and fun with him so that he is distracted from the cranky tiredness and it tires him out better for an early bedtime<br /> 5) early bedtime (if normally 7, I'd do 6/6:30)</p> <p>Skipped/short naps suuuuuuck when you sahp! It's when I do all of the things I haven't done yet at 12pm - eat, shower, bathroom, and turn off my brain!</p> <p>Also, in case it happens again, any way you could do a morning class instead? I moved around our swim class after a few sessions and realizing it was really not working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570846 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:46:15 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2570846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also cry with frustration for about a minute and then get over it and do something to pass the day and survive! Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570845 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:43:13 +0000 winniebee 2570845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get out of the house. After any length of sleep at that age, my kid(s) would be done napping for the day. There were a few times of me being able to lay with my DS1 or rub his back to get him back to sleep, but that was super rare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570841 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:40:47 +0000 Cole 2570841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: I'm begging right along with you. It's brutal! I tried driving and didn't have luck so she's watching Daniel tiger and then we'll try regular nap routine again. She's seriously too tired to function. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570762 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:34:23 +0000 Rocker2014 2570762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, we've been having this issue with my 20 month old too. Sometimes I try to put her back down, other times I've tried to offer a short nap later, either in the crib or car. I'm told this sleep disruption is short lived...please let it be short lived! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570755 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:30:13 +0000 catomd00 2570755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go do a fun activity and get out of the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570740 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:18:57 +0000 Cole 2570740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am going to try driving soon, I think poop was partially to blame but she perked up after a little bit. We had a crazy weekend and I was looking forward to some down time during nap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570720 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:05:25 +0000 LBee 2570720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: If we have something going on that evening, I drive him around until he falls asleep. That doesn't exactly allow for you to rest, but at least she won't be grumpy (assuming she falls asleep)?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570718 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:03:58 +0000 looch 2570718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Intervene, to get him to sleep longer. Oh, those days were tough ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570716 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:03:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2570716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh- or I put her in the car and drive around to see if she'd fall back asleep. But then I don't really get a break besides maybe parking and playing on my phone in the drivers seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570714 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:02:39 +0000 Foodnerd81 2570714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First I cry.<br /> Then at that age I would often try to lay down with her in the big bed in her room. A lot of times she would go back to sleep that way or at least rest longer. </p> <p>Now she's almost 3 and I try to enforce quiet time even if she won't nap some days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570705 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:56:35 +0000 Cole 2570705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I hoping for someone to hand me a magic wand... she's so grumpy and miserable and we have swimming tonight that ends twenty minutes before bedtime so it is going to be rough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570695 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:51:55 +0000 LBee 2570695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on how short and what we have going on for the rest of the day. </p> <p>I usually just go with it and plan an early bedtime. He did this on Saturday and I decided to take him to the zoo. Since it was the typical toddler nap time (1 PMish), the zoo was pretty empty, which was nice. I did have to be really careful to make sure he didn't fall asleep on the drive home after our trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570688 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:46:48 +0000 FaithFertility 2570688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just go with it!<br /> @ 18 months<br /> She isn't cranky and IMO very low sleep needs so I just go with it..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-your-toddler-takes-a-crazy-short-nap#post-2570680 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:44:03 +0000 Cole 2570680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so frustrated. My 20 month old keeps taking really short naps that ruin the rest of the day. I just lost my temper and plopped her back in her room and let her sob for a few minutes which was highly ineffective since we both feel awful about it. I really needed a break this afternoon and I'm so grumpy about this. </p>