Surviving Day Care Naps
Starting daycare is a major transition in any child's life — and your child's sleep can really get thrown out of whack, which is frustrating and stressful for both of you.
Accept that no matter how well you prepare, there's not much you can do once your child is out of your hands and in daycare. The tips below will help smooth the transition.
Before Day Care Starts
- Familiarise them with the space. Try to give your child plenty of play dates and visits to the centre before starting.
- Pack their comfort item. Ensure you take their lovey or favourite blanket to daycare. Your child will cling to it initially as it's familiar, and the recognisable smell will bring comfort.
The First Week
- Start with half days. For the first week, half days mean your child can attempt one sleep at daycare but be brought home for a good nap to make up for it later in the day if needed.
- Prepare for an overtired baby. It's a very stimulating environment and they'll be exhausted after a big day. Even good sleepers at daycare will still be tired by the end of the day.
Managing the Day
- Ask about food and drink. Ask your daycare provider to ensure your child eats and drinks sufficient amounts during morning tea and lunch. Shortage of food is a common cause of night wakings after a daycare day.
- Request an early dinner. If your child has to stay at daycare for a long day, ask the staff to give them dinner between 4–4:30pm. That way, when you collect them, you're not rushing your evening routine or trying to feed an overtired child who refuses to eat. Instead, you can have a calmer evening — sit and read some stories or enjoy some parent-baby play time before bath.
- Consider an early pick-up. Collect them early so they can have an afternoon "power nap" in the car on the way home if possible.
The Evening at Home
- Offer a top-up before bed. 30 minutes before bed, offer something to top them up from dinner — porridge, yoghurt, or a banana — and consider an earlier bedtime.
- Stay consistent with your bedtime routine. Eventually, babies settle into daycare and learn that what happens at daycare doesn't necessarily happen at home. Continue to be consistent with your usual bedtime behaviours and the rewards will speak for themselves.
The daycare transition is one of the toughest sleep adjustments — but it's also one of the most temporary. Most families find sleep settles back into rhythm within 2–4 weeks once their child has fully adjusted.