If your little one is starting nursery or with a childminder, and you’re wondering how you can help them settle in and get some good naps, this is the blog for you!
First things first, it’s very normal for even the best sleepers to regress when they first start going to a childcare setting. For napping little ones, it can be tough for them to switch off in a new environment where it may be noisier, or lighter than they’re used to – can you even imagine trying to go to sleep in a room with lots of other people, it would certainly take a little getting used to! Plus, the completely different level of stimulation can cause an excess of adrenaline by the end of the day, which can lead to some bedtime battles. So, here are our top tips to help your little one adjust…
1. Talk to your nursery or childminder:
Discuss your child’s sleep needs with their key worker or childminder. Explain their usual daily nap routine and remember that it’s super important your little one is given the opportunity to nap around the same time they usually would.
If you’re able to see where your little one will be sleeping, check it for noise levels and darkness. If you feel your little one may struggle you could suggest a blackout blind or a white noise machine.
2. Start slowly:
Ease your little one in gently – they’ll likely have a settling in schedule but if you can start off with a shorter day to start with that, will be super useful as your little one gets used to the brand-new routine. So, you could either drop them off a little later or pick them up a little earlier. By making their days shorter initially, it will help them adjust more gently and curb overtiredness as they settle in.
3. Early bedtime:
If naps are short or non-existent at nursery to start with make sure your little one goes to bed early – anything from into the cot from 6pm is fine. You’ll then give them the opportunity to catch up on any missed day time sleep and deal with the excitement of the day, especially as they adjust to their new routine.
4. Take their usual things with them:
If your child has a favourite teddy or a comforter, make sure they have it packed in their bag so that they have something they usually associate with sleep. It’s always worth buying a ‘spare’ though in case one gets lost/left behind overnight – and we say this from experience, it will make for a much trickier bedtime and overnight without it! It would also be good to pack their own sleeping bag if they’re in a cot, so they’re used to the smell/materials etc.
5. Be careful:
Even if your little one takes some time to settle into their new routine, try not to help them too much when it comes to sleep at home. If they usually put themselves to sleep independently then make sure they still do this. Make sure the nursery or childminder are on board with this too, and that new ‘sleep props’ – like rocking or patting your little one to sleep, for example – aren’t introduced in an effort to get them to sleep.
6. Childcare days:
You may notice a pattern of noisier nights or trickier bedtimes as your little one settles into nursery. It’s a good idea to take a note of when your little one wakes from their nap so you can adjust bedtime accordingly and maybe get them into bed earlier. It may also help to just recognise that nursery nights are tougher and not to put too much pressure on these nights or expect too much.
Still need help?
If your child struggles to get themselves to sleep in general, or if they are experiencing a regression in their sleep following starting childcare which isn’t getting better after a month or so, then please do get in touch – we would love to chat it through with you.
