Cat naps don’t only apply to newborns. These short snoozes may affect toddlers’ sleep and ability to nap in the afternoon. Understanding Cat Naps helps parents to navigate through these challenges, and understand why toddlers catnap.
Little by Little
Imagine this scenario: You’re in your car singing “Let It Go”, and you have your toddler with you. Suddenly, you look in the rearview to see them fast asleep, their mouths agape and hands in a packet of Sultanas, just five minutes from home. Many parents will be familiar with this scenario.
It is impossible to guarantee that the transition from car to cot will be smooth. Your child will be asleep in five minutes, and your hopes of a peaceful afternoon snooze are dashed. You’ve lost the opportunity to have a cup of hot coffee and tackle your to-do list while enjoying a cup of coffee.
You may have put your child in her crib and watched as she fell asleep, only for her to wake up 30 minutes later. You barely had time to think about the cup of coffee that you craved.
Everyone is affected by this situation. You may be sleep deprived but your baby is not getting the restorative sleep that they need to develop properly.
Why Do Babies Catnap?
What causes babies to awaken so quickly after falling asleep? Answer: Their sleep cycle. The sleep cycle of a baby is divided into several stages, from light sleep to deeper sleep. Cat nappers are those who cannot move from light sleep to deep sleep.
They wake up too early and don’t transition smoothly into a deep, restorative slumber. They should be in deep sleep to allow them to rejuvenate and rest, but often they need assistance.
Some babies who are light sleepers may take multiple short naps during the day and at night. Others may only get one long nap. Parents can adapt their strategies and expectations to help improve sleep by understanding this.
A Scientific Study of Sleep Cycles
Sleep cycles are essential for understanding why cats nap. The typical sleep cycle of a baby lasts between 50 and 60 minutes and includes light sleep, deep rest, and REM sleep (rapid eye movement).
- Light sleep is the stage where babies start to nap. During this stage, they are more easily disturbed and are likely to wake up if anything disturbs them.
- Deep sleep This is a phase of restorative sleep where babies have slower brain waves and lower physical activity. It is crucial for growth.
- REM sleep: In this phase, babies are dreaming and their brain activity is increasing. The REM phase is crucial for cognitive development.
When a baby does not transition from the light to the deep sleep phase, he or she will likely wake up feeling uneasy and not completely refreshed.
Sleep Cycle Makeover
There are several strategies that you can use to extend your child’s sleep cycle if they tend to wake up too quickly after falling asleep.
1. Create a Routine
A consistent routine of feed-play/sleep is an effective way to help your child learn. This method can help your child learn how to settle themselves, which will make it easier to transition from one sleep phase to the next.
2. Use White Noise
Consider installing a white noise generator in your child’s bedroom. This background sound can make them sleep better, as it reduces the chances of being awakened by outside noise.
3. Give them Time
Resist the urge to rush into your child’s room as soon as they wake up. Allow them to settle themselves. They may fall back asleep on their own.
4. Swaddle or use a sleeping bag
A swaddle, or sleeping bag, can keep your child warm and secure. This will encourage them to sleep longer. These options can simulate the feeling of being hugged, which is comforting to many babies.
5. Optimize your sleep environment
The room in which your child sleeps should be as dark as you can make it and at a temperature that is comfortable for them. Darkness signals to your child it is time to go to bed, and a comfortable temperature will ensure they don’t wake up from discomfort.
6. Comfort Objects
Introduce a dummy, or comforting object, to your child. This can help them feel more secure during nap time. It can be a huge help to your child to have something familiar to fall asleep with.
Manage On-the-Go Naps
Let’s now talk about those annoying cat naps you get when on the go. The soothing motion of the car can cause babies to fall asleep, but it’s not good if you don’t get enough sleep at home. Here are some tips for managing these on-the-go naps.
1. Plan Your Trips Wisely
Schedule outings right after your child’s regular nap times. It will make it easier to keep your child’s sleep schedule and reduce the chance of them falling asleep in the car.
2. Get Them Moving
Find a safe stop to get your child out of their car seat if you see them starting to doze. Fresh air and stimulation will help them to feel more awake and ready for their return to routine.
3. Keep them Engaged
Try to distract them if you think they are about to sleep while driving. You can do anything to delay the nap until home. Turn up the music, wind down the windows or sing together.
4. Prevent Overtiredness
Make sure your child does not seem overtired. They are more likely to doze off in the car if they don’t get enough sleep at home. Well-rested children are generally more alert and less likely to doze off.
5. Separate comfort items
Avoid placing comfort toys, dummies or bottles in easy reach of your child’s car seat. It will prevent your child from getting too comfortable and falling asleep unexpectedly.
Cat Napping and Emotional Impact
The emotional effects of cat napping should not be ignored. Cat nappers can make parents feel helpless, frustrated and exhausted. These feelings can cause increased stress, which can further complicate the parenting dynamics.
Understanding Parental Frustration
You must understand that frustration is an acceptable response to cat napping’s challenges. Sleep-deprived people can easily feel undervalued and overwhelmed. Acknowledging these feelings will help parents to process their emotions and get support when they need it.
Building a Support Network
A support group of other parents can be a great source of emotional and practical assistance. Parents can feel less alone in their struggles by sharing experiences and strategies. Finding a community, whether it is through local parenting groups or online forums, can be extremely beneficial.
Self-Care Is Crucial
Parents must put their own wellbeing first when managing a cat sleeper. Self-care techniques, like taking short breaks, relaxing in quiet moments or engaging in their favorite activities, can help parents to recharge and be better equipped to deal with challenges.
When All Else Fails
Despite your best efforts, sometimes your baby will continue to nap. It might be worthwhile to consider the advice of sleep specialists in such situations. It is often more beneficial to accept catnapping than to try to “crack” it, as my colleague Lana Hallowes has pointed out.
Lana says that if you’re trying to “fix” your baby’s habit of catnapping, it’s better to stop. Accepting her sleep phase and recognizing that it will not last forever may be more beneficial than trying to change it.
“Your baby will sleep longer someday, and you too. You are doing a great job, exhausted mama. “Life with a catnapper can be difficult, but it won’t last forever.”
The Bigger Picture
Understanding the reasons why babies and toddlers nap is crucial to managing expectations from parents and adapting sleep strategies. It can be frustrating when you have to deal with the cat-napping challenges, but it is important to remember that it is part of a child’s normal development.
Parents are bombarded by advice, tricks and tips. But each child is different. What works for someone may not work well for another. It’s important to be flexible and patient as you try to find the right routine for your family.
Conclusion
Cat napping is a common phase for many families. It can be annoying and leave parents exhausted, but it is a necessary one. You can help your child transition more smoothly by implementing a consistent routine, creating an environment conducive to sleep, and managing the on-the-go nap wisely.
These moments of cat naps are not that important in the grand scheme. The days of catnaps will soon be a distant memory as your child matures and develops their sleeping patterns. Try to embrace chaos and enjoy every moment.
