It’s well known that babies and small children require sleep to help with growth and development. There are times, however, when a much needed nap seems just out of reach. In The No-Cry Nap Solution [McGraw-Hill, 2009] Elizabeth Pantley explains the science of sleep, describes various naptime problems, and offers solutions on how to overcome them.
Happily Awake and the Volcano Effect
One of the most helpful and interesting parts of this book, is the chart detailing how long an infant or toddler can remain, what Pantley calls, "Happily Awake." For example, infants can only remain awake for 1–2 hours before needing a nap to refresh to refresh themselves, where as a two year old can remain awake for 5–7 hours before requiring sleep. For a parent trying to determine if and when a child needs a nap, this guideline is invaluable.
When children remain awake past this period, their sleepiness begins to build into what Pantley describes as "The Volcano Effect." This occurs when a child becomes more and more tired, cranky and irritable, until he is unable to sleep, no matter how tired he is, and a pitched battle is likely to ensue. Recognizing this effect before it happens makes it easier for a parent to stop it before things get out of hand.
The Nap-Register
For every problem from micro-naps to outgrown nap schedules, Pantley offers both an explanation and a solution. Extra detail and chapters are devoted to common problems, such as reliance on sleep aids, and cues are given for identifying where the child’s problems lay so that the proper help can be given.
Even for problems not necessarily listed, it may be possible to adapt much of Pantley’s advice and tailor a solution that will suit most children’s needs. For parents unsure of exactly where the problem may lie, the options and solutions available in this book allow for trial and error to help get to the root of a child’s dilemma.
Growing Children and Changing Needs
As children grow, their nap schedules change, and they begin to consolidate their sleeping and waking periods. This will mean changes in the current nap time routine that a parent or care giver is following. Pantley offers tips on how to recognize when it’s time to change the napping schedule and how to accomplish this. For first time parents, or parents of nap resisting children, this information can help avoid situations that cause tense and stressful parents and children.
The No-Cry Nap Solution dovetails nicely with Pantley’s other books, such as The No-Cry Sleep Solution [McGraw-Hill, 2002] offering a complete picture of infant and toddler development and sleep requirements. For parents simply interested in learning about baby sleep patterns and when to adjust a schedule, or parents of children who need to be taught how to nap, The No-Cry Nap Solution offers advice and solutions in a clear, easy to follow format that will have even the most resistant napper going down with ease.
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