TL;DR: Toddler naps can make or break their day (and yours!). Luckily, there are lots of ways to ensure your toddler takes a great nap everyday through ensuring a consistent routine, setting a great environment for sleep, and providing them with the right nap essentials.

New Year Refresh: Nap Essentials for Toddlers

As a toddler mom, you know that your kiddo’s nap can make or break the entire day. While it can be nice to have a mid-day break from toddlering for both you and your little one, naps can throw a wrench in your schedule and throw off the whole day if they don’t happen. Many toddlers get overtired, cranky, and fussy by dinner time if they skip their nap. Sound familiar? Whether you are a toddler mom or your one-year-old is soon to drop down to one nap, it is important to make sure you have all the right things in place to ensure a good nap for your toddler’s day, development, and well-being. Keep reading to learn more about our nap essentials for toddlers, especially for those on-the-go.

Here’s How to Totally Nail Naptime Every Day

It’s totally normal for babies and toddlers to skip a nap every once in a while. There are many factors at play, such as what time they woke up, whether they are sick or not, how busy and stimulating the morning has been, and much more.

Some toddlers can be totally fine if they miss their nap, but many of them tend to get super fussy, cranky, and overtired by dinner time. This can often leave parents frustrated, especially when they are trying to spend time with their toddler after a long day. 

Some of the ways you can keep your toddler’s nap on track include keeping up with a consistent routine, setting the stage for a great nap, and using the best nap essentials possible to make your toddler excited to snuggle up for their midday snooze.

Consistency

The most important thing you can do to ensure a great nap for your toddler is to make sure you have a consistent schedule in place.

Here’s a sample toddler schedule, according to Taking Cara Babies:

In between all the meals and snacks, ensure plenty of stimulating activities for your toddler. This can include taking them to the park, going outside, playing freeze dance, crafts, or even taking them along with you on your daily errands. This will ensure they are stimulated enough to be tired for a nap. 

Once you start sticking to a schedule and routine, you will find that your toddler’s body will naturally adjust and start getting tired around nap time.

Set the Stage

When putting your toddler for a nap, it is important to make sure that the environment is right for sleep. Think about when you need to fall asleep: You need to be snuggly in your PJs, curled up in a comfy bed, maybe read a book or scroll your phone first, and signal to your body that it is time for sleep.

Toddlers need this, too!

Here are some ideas for setting the stage for a great nap:

• Dark and quiet. Make sure their room is nice and dark. It is very difficult for most toddlers to be able to sleep in a bright room during the day. If you’re having trouble with naps, this should be the first thing to address. Make sure it is also quiet enough for them to sleep; Limit loud noises as best as you can, and turn on a white noise machine.
• Read a book. Help your toddler wind down for nap time by snuggling up and reading a book, much like your bedtime routine.
• Put on something comfy. Change out of their regular day clothes and put them in something more comfortable. You can also put them in their favorite sleep sack, too!

Use the Best Nap Essentials

Toddlers absolutely love anything that is uniquely theirs, whether it is toys, their own mealware, or even their own nap essentials!

For the On-The-Go Napper

Do you have a daycare kiddo or one that visits Grandma a lot? Our Original Milo & Gabby Sleeping Bag is your answer!

Perfectly sized just for toddlers, our napmat measures 31.5" W x 55" L and conveniently folds up and stores compactly in a zippered travel bag. Kids love taking their favorite Milo&Gabby friends with them to preschool, daycare, and for overnight trips to grandma's and grandpa's.

Additional features include a sewn-in name tag that can be customized with your child's name and plush details (perfect for cuddling with). Nap Mat is machine washable. Made in South Korea.

For the Big Kid Bed

Is your toddler ready to graduate from their crib? Our Milo&Gabby Kids Pillowcase is the perfect way to introduce your child to a pillow and a big kid bed!

Made with ultra-soft 320-thread count sateen cotton, your child will have sweet dreams with this pillow friend by their side. Sized just right for your growing toddler, our pillowcase measures 20" x 27" and is compatible with our exclusive Milo&Gabby Pillow insert (sold separately).

Our pillowcases coordinate with the entire line of Milo&Gabby comforters, blankets, security blankets, sleeping bags, and even toddler backpacks. They are so easy to clean: Simply unzip, remove the pillow, and toss the pillowcase in the washing machine.

Written by Jaclyn, marketing copywriter and mama of three boys