Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It

As parents, we love holding our babies. Sometimes, we just can’t get enough of those tiny, warm, fidgety bundles of joy. However, there are times Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It when we need to get things done around the house or take care of our personal hygiene.

Theoretically, this can be done during daytime naps, but sometimes, our babies or toddlers won’t let us set them down to nap. Most of the time, this isn’t an issue, but it is certainly nice to have the option to set your child down for an hour or so to take care of other things. In today’s article, we’re going to cover how you can gain a little more freedom during the day by avoiding being nap trapped by your little one.

Getting Started

To get out of the contact sleep nap cycle, also known as the nap trap, you must do a little table setting. Be very conscious of your baby’s needs Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It and how to meet them before they can comfortably sleep independently. It helps to approach the steps of establishing the sleep foundations for the child with intention. If nothing in their routine changes, then their need for contact sleep has no reason to change. Over time, this continuous contact sleep can become very habitual for your baby.

The Process

Here is how to create the perfect situation in which Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It your child can sleep more Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It independently during naps (and even at nighttime!).

A Good Sleep Environment

This is crucial to your success. Help achieve this Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It by making sure their nap area is dark, in a quiet area, warm (around 70°F to 72°F), and has some form of brown or Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It white noise at a low volume.

Age-Appropriate Routine for Baby/Child

Babies are creatures of habit. Try to schedule a routine each day that revolves around waking, eating, and napping at the same times. They Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It will learn the routine quickly and before you know it, they will come to expect it, thus physically priming their body to want to nap when you need them to.

Proper Intake of Milk and Solids

Can you sleep well after skipping dinner? Your Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It baby can’t either! Make sure Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It their belly is full from a recent feeding/meal before embarking on nap time.

Indications of Some Self-Soothing Skills

If your baby is comforted by a pacifier, or rubs their hands together, or rocks their head from side to side, or hums, or rubs part of their clothing rhythmically, then they are self-soothing. To encourage these and other self-soothing skills, it helps to put them down in their crib for a nap and then stay with Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It them and give your baby some time to try out these soothing tactics.

Try not to physically touch them and help right away. This is called ‘Le Pause’. After a few minutes, you may try some crib-side soothing where a parent physically soothes while the baby is still in the crib. Be ready to step in if the baby is beginning to get upset. Just know that over time, with more practice and exposure, your baby will gradually get better and better at falling asleep without as much contact and/or help from you.

Make Sure Discomfort or Medical Challenges for the Baby/Child Are Addressed

Along with their food and milk needs, make Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It sure that prior to sleep, they are in a clean, dry diaper, clean sleeping clothes, and that all rashes and other areas Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It of potential discomfort are dealt with.

Consistent and Gradual Exposure to the Sleep Space

The general premise is that with more exposure Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It and consistency, the habit Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It and routine of falling asleep independently becomes the new ‘norm’.

What Does “Nap Trapped” Mean?

Nap trapped is when parents and caregivers feel that they are ‘trapped’ at home because their little one needs to be in their cot for their naps and/or due to the timings of the naps it can mean that they are having to miss out on things such as classes, groups, or going for a coffee with a friend.

Nap trapped can also relate to:

When you are not able to leave your Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It baby while they are sleeping otherwise they wake up.
The need to be sitting down while your baby naps on you.
Feeling like you can’t let your little one nap out of the house as they don’t settle as well as they do at home.

In this blog, we will mainly focus on the area of feeling trapped by naps in relation to getting out and about and the general feeling of being trapped by your little one’s routine or schedule. My aim is to provide you with some Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It reassurance that you don’t have to be trapped by naps!

It is all about balance, the importance of you and your little one being able to get out and about alongside your little one having the right amount of sleep Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It during the day so that they are not tired and cranky…which is important for you too!

There is a great deal of information out there when it comes to naps and the benefits of cot naps and I have referred to this in previous blogs. In the same way as at nighttime, the crib/cot naps do help with restful sleep, however Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It, we have to be practical –

it is not always possible to do all of the naps in the cot and that is ok! Some naps will need to be in the pram, in the car, or in a sling, and can often be on the move as you might have Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It places to be such as groups and classes or even doing the school run for older siblings.

Top Tips to Avoid Being Nap Trapped

Plan Your Week

Start by looking at your week. You may have specific days and times that you need to be at groups or classes, or doing nursery/school Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It runs if you have older children. Write out your week with what you need to attend including timings and then look at when you are able to do naps at home in the crib/cot and when you might have to do a nap on the move.

By seeing your week all planned out it can help you to feel like you have control over when and where the naps will be and how you might look to balance them out. Often when doing this weekly plan you will find that you are at home for naps more than Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It you first thought.

Find Flexible Groups and Classes

Look for groups and classes which work around nap timings where you can. This is not always possible but doing some research to see what is available and what might work can help take pressure away from working the Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It naps out or even having to cut naps short in order to get somewhere. It can also help if your little one has had a good Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It restful nap to be in a good mood for the class or group.

Create Similar Sleep Environments

If you need to do some naps on the go, see how you can create similarities to cot naps. This might be portable white noise, a comforter such as a muslin or cuddly (age-dependent and following Lullaby Trust guidelines) and Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It something like a Snooze shade to create a dark environment if using a pram. It might be that your little one is happy to nap in the sling and this is equally fine for naps on the go. Creating similar sleep environments can help your little one predict when it is nap time and help them to settle to sleep easier.

Use Nap Time Positively

Try to see the positives of being nap Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It trapped – it can mean that you need to be at home, and where you take time for you. It can be a time where you can have a hot cup of tea, catch up with your favorite TV show, or even take a nap too! Use this time in a positive way and it can help to stop the feeling of being nap trapped.

Invite People Over

Get people to come to you. If we feel Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It that we are not able to see people or get out and about, it can help to ask people to come to your house while your little one naps and then you can always go out after nap time. This way you don’t feel that you are missing out and it can give you some time to catch up with your family member or friend Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It while your little one is sleeping.

Establish a Routine

Create a routine where there is some structure to the day so that your little one knows what to expect. If you are able to, have a pre-nap routine so your little one knows that it is nap time. By having a routine like this it Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It will start to structure the day for you both and hopefully.

Avoid those nap battles that you can have when your little one is resisting going down for a nap. Always have a wind-down to nap time (even if it is just 5 mins), before a nap so that your little one is not going from playing straight to being put into their cot/crib.

Embracing the Nap Trap

If we choose to look at the nap trap in a positive light, and truly flip the script on its negative undertones, it can be pretty rewarding. First, create a consistent nap schedule so you can plan for your alone time. The more predictable your child’s naps are, the more you will feel in control of your time and schedule. You’ll be able to carve out time you need to get things done during the nap trap.

The Nap Trap: Food for Thought

Here are some concrete ideas for parents Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It caught in the daily nap trap. Your house or apartment need not feel like jail. Learn to embrace the time your child sleeps. They say sleep begets sleep. Well-rested child equals happy mom, and all those other platitudes.

If You Have a Newborn:

Take a 20-minute power nap.
Read a chapter of the book on your nightstand that has been gathering dust. Just one chapter, you can do that!
Put on noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite band. Even if it’s Maroon 5. I’ll forgive you.
Take a bath, regardless of the time of day. Go crazy, light a candle and pour your favorite drink.
Listen to a podcast. Brenée Brown Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It, Esther Perel, or the Daily. Feed your mind with whatever it’s craving.

If You Have a Toddler:

Any of the above, but for longer periods.
Make an online photo album. Shutterfly, Mixbooks, and Snapfish all make it very easy. A productive ongoing nap trap project.
Bake your favorite decadent treat. No one deserves those home-baked calories more than you do. Home-baked calories don’t count anyway.
A 20-minute exercise session. Whether that is mat-based pilates on an app or a self-directed ab session in front of the TV. Even a short workout is empowering.
Brew your favorite caffeinated drink and do your favorite puzzle or game. My faves are the New York Times Spelling Bee, Sudoku, and the Sunday crossword.
Call your mother.

If You Have a Fast Napper:

Call your mother.
Clean the junk drawer.
Return five emails.
Do a 10-minute yoga session.
Purge your closet. The Real Real is your new BFF.

If You Have a Marathon Napper:

Call your real BFF.
Prepare tonight’s dinner or create the upcoming week’s meal plan.
Return ten emails.
Do a 30-minute yoga session.
Be creative. Color, paint, draw, or blog.

If You Are Stuck in the Car, in a Fitting Room, or in a Museum:

Do nothing. Silence can be beautiful.
Listen to music.
Clean out your inbox.
Meditate.
Write a list in your phone’s ‘Notes’. Bucket lists, wish lists, or best karaoke song lists.

There are benefits to the nap trap, for sure. It’s a time to get things done, wherever we might find ourselves when our kids doze off. Yet, don’t feel guilty if you choose to do nothing during your valuable alone Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It time. Parenting is all about taking care of our children, but it’s also about taking care of ourselves.

How we choose to celebrate the nap trap is personal. Maybe this list reminded you of a past hobby you’d like to pick back up. Or, the novel you’ve always wanted to read, or write. Or, possibly just gave you permission to take a nap or do something solely for yourself.

Years ago, when I gazed down from Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It my 16th-floor window overlooking 72nd and Broadway I may have been green with envy, but deep down I was happier to be nap trapped than I realized. Anyone who has watched over a sleeping baby can certainly relate. Nothing beats a happy well-rested baby.

Conclusion

Being nap trapped can be a challenging experience for parents, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can also be a rewarding and productive time. By creating a good sleep environment, establishing a consistent routine, and addressing your baby’s needs, you can help your little one sleep more independently during naps. Embracing the nap trap as an opportunity for self-care, productivity, or simply enjoying some quiet time can make a significant difference in your overall well-being.

Remember, every baby is unique, and Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It what works for one may not work for another. Stay patient, flexible, and adapt your approach as needed. If you find that your baby continues to struggle with sleep, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Sleep is crucial for your child’s overall well-being and development, and addressing any underlying issues early can make a significant difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is “Nap Trapped”?

Nap trapped refers to the feeling of being confined or restricted due to your baby or toddler’s nap schedule. This can mean feeling unable to leave the house, being stuck in one place while your baby naps, or feeling like you can’t let your little one nap out of the house because they don’t settle as well as they do at home.

2. How Can I Avoid Being Nap Trapped?

To avoid being nap trapped, you can:

Plan Your Week: Schedule your activities around your baby’s nap times.
Find Flexible Groups and Classes: Look for activities that work around your baby’s nap schedule.
Create Similar Sleep Environments: Use portable white noise, a comforter, and a dark environment to mimic the cot nap experience.
Use Nap Time Positively: Take this time to relax, catch up on chores, or engage in self-care activities.
Invite People Over: Have friends or family come to your house while your baby naps.
Establish a Routine: Create a structured routine that includes a pre-nap wind-down.

3. What Are Some Benefits of Being Nap Trapped?

Being nap trapped can have several benefits, including:

Time for Self-Care: Use this time to relax, read, or take a nap yourself.
Productivity: Get chores done or engage in hobbies.
Quality Time: Spend time with your baby and enjoy their peaceful sleep.

4. How Can I Make the Most of Nap Time?

To make the most of nap time, consider the following:

For Newborns: Take a power nap, read, listen to music, take a bath, or listen to a podcast.
For Toddlers: Engage in longer activities like making an online photo album, baking, exercising, or doing puzzles.
For Fast Nappers: Call your mother, clean the junk drawer, return emails, do a short yoga session, or purge your closet.
For Marathon Nappers: Call your BFF, prepare dinner, return emails, do a longer yoga session, or engage in creative activities.
For On-the-Go Naps: Listen to music, clean out your inbox, meditate, or write lists.

5. What Should I Do If I Feel Guilty About Not Being Productive During Nap Time?

Don’t feel guilty if you choose to do nothing during nap time. Parenting is about taking care of yourself as well as your children. Use this time to relax, recharge, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Nap Trapped What That Means And What You Can Do About It | How to Make the Most of it