Do you have children who nap randomly? Read here for some great tips to get all your kids (baby, toddler, and preschooler, etc.) to nap at the same time.
At around 12:45 each day…
I start making the rounds.
- I put my 2 year old into his crib (2 minutes including kissing and hugging).
- Then I put my 3 year old into his crib because he’s not ready for the challenge of staying in a big boy bed (5 minutes because he likes “chatting“).
- Our 5 year old gives me a kiss, picks out some toys, gets a drink, then goes to his own room for rest/play time (this takes 1 minute.)
- My 6 year old gives me a kiss, picks out some toys, gets a drink, then goes to his own room for rest/play time (this takes 1 minute.)
- My 7 year old daughter gives me a kiss, hug, gets out her crafts, then goes into her own room for rest/play time (this takes 1 minute.)
So within about 15 minutes all 5 kids are in their own beds or rooms to rest and play.
For years, they ALL SLEPT AT THE SAME TIME.Â
This is not a pipe dream, friend. Keep reading to find out how to do this in your own home. And use our daily baby logs to get it all out onto paper to help you make a plan.
What's in this post...
Imagine this…
Imagine eating lunch with the kids, tidying up the house a bit, then putting them all in their cribs or beds at the same time for a nap.
Then imagine the silence and time you’ll have for the next hour, or two or three. What would you do with them?
Is this a dream?
Is she insane?
Could it really happen?
In a word, yes.
It can happen and it does happen in my house every single day. Not because I’m special or because my kids are special (although they are incredibly special).
It’s just because I viewed it as a necessity. I work from home and can’t do much evening work or I’m too overstimulated to sleep.
Therefore, a few hours of quiet each day is non-negotiable.
How to get your babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to nap at the same time
If you have children who still nap or even slightly older ones who need Rest Time, getting their nap times to happen at the same time will be so refreshing.
Both for your children and yourself. If you want to start living the dream (and believe me, you do) here are some tips to take you in the right direction.
Read: Get A Tired Baby To Sleep — In 4 Simple Steps
Create sustainable sleep habits for your little lamb so the whole family can sleep peacefully without the stress, drama, and tears.
Learn More1. Understand how our bodies work.
Maybe you’re thinking, “but what if they don’t get tired at the same time?” then be encouraged.
Our bodies acclimate to our habits.
If we rise at 7:30 am, eat breakfast at 12:00 pm, and go to bed at 10:30 pm, then pretty soon we won’t need an alarm clock, will be able to tell it’s lunchtime by our stomach, and will be yawning and rubbing our eyes by bedtime.
Why?
Because our bodies get into the routine. Our circadian rhythms and biological clocks adjust.
In fact, doing these things at the same general times day in and day out is a good thing. Research shows that consistent sleep times help cognitive development.
I’m not suggesting we delay naps and cause our children to be overtired just to have them down at the same time. Rather, when possible, we attempt to overlap their sleeping times so we can have some regenerative time of our own.
Read: The Biggest Baby Sleep Myth That Backfires Every TimeÂ
2. Pick a time that works for everyone.
My 8-month-old naps twice a day.
He’s the only one sleeping in the morning, but I aligned his afternoon nap with his brother and sister’s so that when they are snoozing, I can work.
Experts generally agree that early afternoon is when toddlers should nap, so my two older kids go down at 1 p.m. and my 8-month-old at around 1:30 p.m.
My preschooler and toddler are tired by this time if they’ve had ample change of scenery and exercise, and this nap helps get the baby through until bedtime.
Depending on what time your children get up in the morning, the afternoon nap may be anywhere from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., but I’d try to put the nap after lunch. If they nap at 11 a.m., then by 6 p.m. you will have some very fussy kiddos.
Read: Napping tips when babies, toddlers, or preschoolers share a room
What to do with toddlers when you are putting the baby down for a nap
3. In bed when you say, out of bed when you say.
If you choose 1 p.m. then that’s nap time.
Unless you’re out and about, don’t bother negotiating. Start the nap time process and don’t let them convince you they don’t need it. That is their Wants talking louder than their Needs.
Eventually, when this becomes part of every day life, see it as a wall, not a door. When nap time happens every single day, it just happens.Â
If your children don’t need a nap every day (because they are old enough, not because they say so) then institute Rest Time. This is when they stay in their beds (or in their rooms) reading a book or doing something quiet and restful.
You decide when this starts and ends.
If your children are obedient to your word throughout the day this may be an adjustment, but shouldn’t be a huge struggle.
Read: Why kids need independent play times daily
4. Explain your nap time expectations thoroughly
When your children are old enough to understand basic instruction (one year and older) start telling them what will happen.
And do it with a lot of warning. Children really benefit from knowing what’s happening next so they can prepare themselves.
Half an hour before nap time I’ll start saying “okay kids, it’s almost nap time” then at 15 minutes “in a little while we’re going to take a nap.”
It may sound silly, but this is an excellent strategy to get your children to obey without arguing.
When they view something as inevitable they will come to terms with the idea when the time comes. It gives them time to realize they are indeed tired.
When I give advanced warning my children almost always respond with ease. However, if I say “we’re going home” or “time for a nap” out of the blue they don’t respond nearly as well.
Read: Baby Bedtime: 4 Essential Elements For Success (works for naps too!)
Learn how to space naps, how many a day per age, best times, etc. and get your nap game ON!
5. Start slowly transitioning your current routine towards a shared nap time
As of now, if your kids are now napping at completely different times or only slightly overlapping, you’ll need to gradually adjust them.
If one child is sleeping at 11 a.m. and you want to push it back to 12:30 p.m. then do so in 15 minute increments. For one week (or even a few days) move it to 11:15 or 11:30.
The next week move it back again. This will give their body clocks time to adjust and before you know it they’ll be on the time you prefer.
If your child currently doesn’t nap at a consistent time, start there. When they say “I don’t want to nap” and you used to let the nap pass, start being consistent and putting them down everyday.
Read: A step by step guide to dropping the morning nap
If not for a nap, for rest time.  When they know they have to stay quiet for a certain period they’ll often fall asleep in spite of their best efforts to stay awake.
Small consistent steps will get you to your goal just as well as large leaps, and they’re easier for your children to adjust to.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
6. Pick strategic sleeping arrangements to avoid kids keeping each other awake
When your children have their own room you are golden. If they share you’ll need to get creative.
If your children already nap in a shared room and it works that’s fine, but if not then think about unused rooms for napping.
“One reader said she put her youngest to sleep in her walk-in closet during the day because it was relatively soundproof and out-of-the-way.
Another friend had the baby of the house sleep in the bathroom with the loudest exhaust fan so her sleep wouldn’t be disturbed.”
Napping is also a good time to use white noise machines or apps. We have a white noise app on our phones and tablet that we use for the baby.
That way we don’t have to walk around on eggshells or try (and fail) to keep the kids in quiet voices while he sleeps.
Read: How To Help Baby Sleep With Loud Older Siblings
7. Give it time and watch their naps sync up
As with anything worth the work, this may take some time.
There will be developmental stages where this arrangement works and some where it won’t. You can always put an older sibling’s rest time in the same slot as the toddler’s nap, but a baby may throw a kink in the works.
Then again, smaller babies may sleep all day.
Read: How to Stop Contact Naps (Peacefully)- and What to Do Instead
All of mine have.
If you work towards your goal consistently with your eye on the prize, you’ll reap the benefit.
Just remember…
Kids need sleep.
Kids will get used to new routines, particularly when they are good for them.
If you find yourself feeling frazzled and simply needing a break, instead of ignoring the kids and zoning out on your cell phone, organize your day so you’ll have some you time.
Time you can spend doing anything you want! It may seem impossible, but trust me it isn’t!
Sources:
- Children with irregular sleep routines and durations are more tired throughout the day
- Longer sleep duration was generally associated with better body composition, emotional regulation, and growth in children aged 0 to 4 years. Shorter sleep duration is associated with longer screen time use and more injuries
- Adequate sleep in the first year is critical for optimal infant neurodevelopment
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Tiffany says
Excellent points as always! I have friends who don’t have everyone napping at the same time, and I honestly don’t know how they stay sane!
Rachel Norman says
I think many people don’t actually think it’s possible to do it. If you start out that way it’s relatively easy. I am 100% with you, though, if mine all took random naps during the day I’d go bonkers. Ha!
Christy Johnson says
With baby three (almost here!!!!) we’ll definitely be using our walk-in closet for naps.
Although our first two now nap separately, we did have them nap together for about eight months. As long as the youngest couldn’t pull herself up, we just attached a blanket over the front of her crib so she couldn’t see. That might be a little tip for those wanting to try it. Once she could stand in the crib, naptime became party-time and we had to separate the kiddos. It helped that our oldest was a deep sleeper.
I like hearing these creative ideas, as we’re currently in a two-bedroom home and that’s not likely to change for a while. :) Maybe we’ll end up using the bathroom for naps in the future, too!
Rachel Norman says
Great idea about the blanket to hide the view. Oh I am all about getting creative, ha!
Amanda @ Queenofthelandoftwigsnberries says
If my boys didn’t nap at the same time, I truly don’t think I’d survive. These are great tips!
Rachel Norman says
AMEN TO THAT
M says
I work a full time job so the only time I am with the kids during the day is on the weekend. Are theses tips useful for just weekends
Rachel Norman says
M, you could use them for just weekends for sure, I’m not sure how often you’d need to do it til they got the hang of it, but it’s certainly worth a try!
Samantha says
What time does your 8mo old wake, nap and go to sleep?
Rachel Norman says
Well he’s older now. TEAR. But we did 7:30am wake up and feed, around 9 or 9:15 to nap!