2.5 year old daughter won't nap with new nanny

[Anonymous]

We had a new nanny start about five weeks ago. I actually posted here about how to ease the transition between old nanny and new nanny. Overall, things have gone well.

The biggest issue, however, is that our daughter won't nap with our new nanny even though she was a good napper pre-transition and still is with us. Our new nanny supposedly follows the same daily and naptime routines that we've always used, but she's only napping about 50% of the days (if that). I initially chalked it up to the transition and/or our daughter not needing as much sleep and possibly dropping the nap. However, during the holidays she napped every single day without problem (we were at my in-laws). Yesterday was our first day back and DD once again didn't nap while home with his nanny.

I understand the holidays could have been overstimulating with lots of family members in and out of the house, but other than more people than usual we didn't do anything too crazy to tire her out. We did go to the park many mornings.

Our nanny typically takes our daughter to storytimes in the mornings, but maybe those are too calm for her - though she's not an overly energetic/wild child and that was the routine with our previous nanny as well. I've told our nanny that as long as the weather is above freezing and our daughter is properly dressed that we're totally fine with them going out to the park in the morning. Other than that, however, I don't quite know what else to do. To me, the holidays proved that our daughter still can and will nap...just not with her new nanny.

Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Let the nanny know that quiet activities are fine AFTER she gets some energy out. Also, how is she handling the non-nap days? It needs to consistent (boring) rest time, even if she doesn’t sleep, which will encourage her to sleep.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above. Your child needs outdoor time in the morning and then, after lunch, the nanny needs to be firm and very routine about quiet time.

And give it more time, OP. Your child probably is not 100% comfortable with the new nanny. It will come.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she is dropping the nap.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the Nanny can begin calling nap time simply “quiet time.”

Your child needs to rest in bed + not get out for a half hour.
She cannot play w/any of her toys during this time or read any of her books, etc.

Have your Nanny tell your daughter she doesn’t have to necessarily close her eyes, but she must rest.

Have her be consistent w/this & see how this goes.
Hopefully your daughter will simply fall asleep since she should be sleepy anyway at this time of day.

Good luck!