Will CIO work for naps? I am desperate

Is it possible that a child can be done with naps at 18 months? Everything I read says no, it's closer to 3 and that I should re-establish naps. Ainsley has not taken a good (longer than 30 min) nap in over a month. I am ripping my hair out over here. I am on Day 3 of CIO, and it is NOT getting any better!!! When I have done bedtime CIO, it goes normally, 1 hr of screaming on Day 1, then about 30-45 min Day 2, then 15 min Day 3, and none by Day 4.

On Day 1, she was quiet for 30 min, then screamed for 1.5 hrs. Same thing yesterday. Today, she was only quiet for 20 min and is presently screaming.

I don't think the time of the nap is a problem, however I have tried moving it and it doesn't make a difference. I tried putting her in bed with me, all she did is play. She will nap in the car, that is the only way I can get her to nap. The girls are in separate rooms for naps.

ETA: She did not go to sleep after the 1.5 hrs, it only stopped because time was up and I went and got her.

I feel horrible letting her scream, but she has got to take a nap! She gets cranky and tired, and I need the break for my sanity. Please tell me CIO will eventually work.

 

One of my girls sometimes likes to do the screaming game too. I do just try to CIO. I am hoping that she gives in and realizes that she must nap.

sue

 

Keep at it. It took my guys more like weeks, but they got there and now they go like champs. Whether she's screaming or not, you need a break. So, buy a pair of ear plugs if you need to

 

Weeks, ugh?! Well, at least there is an end in sight. I wonder if being delayed has any relation to not being a good sleeper? Ainsley didn't sleep through until 9-10 months, she's also the one who occasionally does the early waking thing. Bea's been a great sleeper since 5 months, once we got past the colicky stage.

 

I'd keep it up too. All of mine have taken naps till the age of 4. They all went thru stages where they tried to give up naps several times but I never backed down. Have you tried giving her tylenol before hand to rule out teething or ear pain?

 

Kelly, Matthew didn't sleep through the night consistently until 18 months! But, napping has worked well since our transition at about 15-16 months. I hope it gets better soon.

 

I'm so sorry you're still dealing with this! Here's what I would do....When it's naptime, still put her down like normal but tell her "It's naptime. You don't have to sleep, you can play if you'd like to and I'll come get you at X (whatever time you want nap to be over)". I know she probably won't understand it fully but it's a start. Then if she's freaking out after a bit, go back in once and remind her that she doesn't have to sleep, she can play in her crib/pnp and you'll be back at X. I'd make it kind of short to start with (maybe an hour) and work up to 2hrs or however long Bea sleeps. Get yourself some ear plugs and just check every once in a while to see if she's still yelling. She will eventually figure out that no matter how loud she is you aren't coming back until the set time. Who knows how long it will take but stick with it. This is one of those early battles that you need to win. She needs to know that you are the boss. Good luck!

 

I agree that you should just keep at it. I've gone through phases like that with Sofia. As long as I know there is nothing wrong with her I just let her CIO. Now she's at an age that she knows naptime and if she chooses not to sleep she usually plays or talks to herself. She knows I'm not coming to get her.

 

Keep at it. My ds goes through stages of napping and not napping. No matter what though, nap time is nap time. He will be in his room for the full name time and I wont get him until nap time is over. After awhile of skipping naps, he sees how tired he is and will start napping again

 

I am so sorry!! I have no idea what I would do if they didn't nap. Anyway, I know it is a bad habit but I stil give mine milk in a sippy cup and lay them down with that. Then after their milk they usually talk and then eventually go to sleep. If you don't want to give her milk you could try water!! Just an idea!