Worried About Your Baby’s Naps in Daycare? Here’s EXACTLY What To Expect & (and What To Do)
- info4154956
- May 19
- 5 min read
By: Sarah Bossio, Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert
Sending your child to Daycare for the first time is a huge milestone—but it also comes with plenty of worries. One of the biggest concerns parents have is how their baby or toddler will adjust to a new sleeping environment and sleep routine at Daycare.
Will my little one sleep well in a room with other kids? What if they’re used to the specific environment at home that’s hard to replicate?
I’m here to reassure you: with the right approach, your child will adapt to daycare sleep routines and thrive. Whether you’re a new parent preparing for Daycare or a seasoned mom wondering how daycare sleep will affect your toddler, this guide will help you navigate this transition with confidence.
Building Independent Sleep Skills: The Key to a Smooth Daycare Nap
The first step to making the daycare sleep transition easy is to make sure your child is an independent sleeper. This may seem like a small thing, but trust me—it’s huge.
At Daycare, your child won’t have the luxury of one-on-one attention like they do at home. The caregivers at Daycare have several other children to manage, so they simply won’t have time to rock, feed, or soothe your baby the way you do. This is where independent sleep skills come into play.
If your child already knows how to fall asleep on their own, Daycare will be much easier for them to navigate.
By teaching your child to self-soothe, you’re helping them adjust to Daycare’s natural rhythm. Your daycare providers can simply lay your child down, give them a quick “night-night”, and leave the room. This will help them fall asleep without needing a lot of extra help, and it makes the transition smoother for everyone involved.
From Quiet to Chaos—How Your Child Will Adapt
When it comes to Daycare, one of the biggest concerns parents have is whether their child can sleep in an environment full of noise, lights, and other children. After all, your child is used to a comfortable sleep environment with blackout shades, soft music, and minimal noise. Daycare, on the other hand, can feel like sensory overload with kids crying, teachers talking, and cribs lined up next to each other.
But here’s the good news: because your child has already mastered independent sleep skills, they’ll likely adapt faster than you think. Babies and toddlers are tired after a day full of activities and interaction, and they are usually ready for a nap—no matter the environment.
You might notice that their naps are a little shorter at first as they adjust to the new surroundings but don’t worry. Their bodies will eventually get used to the new sleep routine, and they will begin to sleep better at Daycare.
The important thing is that they can sleep on their own, no matter how noisy or chaotic the environment is.
Monkey See, Monkey Do: The Magic of Peer Influence
If you’re wondering how your toddler will adjust to napping on a cot or nap mat at Daycare, here’s something that may surprise you: toddlers are great imitators. When your toddler sees other kids lying down and falling asleep independently, they’re likely to follow suit. It’s just the nature of being around peers—toddlers love to mimic what others do, and napping is no different.
Even if your toddler has struggled to settle at home, Daycare provides a unique opportunity for them to see other kids napping successfully.
This social influence can work wonders, and before you know it, your toddler will be calmly lying down for nap time at Daycare, just like the other children.
Daycare teachers also excel at setting boundaries and helping toddlers understand the sleep routine. It’s likely that once your toddler sees how things are done, they’ll follow the lead and nap without issue.
Will Daycare Naps Impact Nighttime Sleep?
Now that we’ve covered daycare naps, let’s talk about nighttime sleep. The fact is, your child will likely be exhausted after a busy day at Daycare. They’ve been socializing, playing, and learning all day, and this physical and mental stimulation can affect their sleep routine at night.
In the first few days or weeks, you may notice that your toddler is more tired than usual when they come home from Daycare. This is completely normal. After all, they’ve had a full day of activities, and their bodies will need to adjust to this new level of activity.
You might even notice that they are a bit more cranky or overtired, which could make bedtime a little more challenging.
The solution? Early bedtimes. It might seem counterintuitive, but allowing your child to be in bed 20-30 minutes earlier than usual will help them get the rest they need after a busy day at Daycare.
This extra time allows their body to reset and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Give Them Grace: Understanding the Adjustment Period for Daycare Sleep
As your child adjusts to Daycare, keep in mind that the first week or two will likely bring a few bumps in the road. Your little one may be overtired, or their naps might not be as long as usual. This is completely normal.
Be patient with them—and with yourself. Daycare sleep transitions are an adjustment for both of you, and it is essential to give your child grace as they figure out their new routine.
If your child is waking more frequently during the night, give them a little time to settle back down before jumping in. You don’t want to create unnecessary sleep disruptions.
Remember, communication with daycare providers is key during this period. They can share how your child is doing with naps and bedtime, and you can adjust your home sleep routine accordingly.
This will help your child feel more comfortable at Daycare and at home.
Transition to Daycare Sleep with Confidence
Sending your child to Daycare does not have to cause stress over the sleeping environment or sleep schedules. By making sure your child has independent sleep skills before they begin Daycare, you’re already setting them up for success.
As long as they know how to fall asleep on their own, the new environment at Daycare won’t be an obstacle.
With a little patience, grace, and consistent communication with daycare providers, your child will not only adjust to Daycare but will also continue to develop healthy sleep habits. Soon enough, you’ll see them napping comfortably during the day and settling into their sleep routine at night.
If you’re currently navigating this transition and need some guidance, feel free to reach out to me at Your Zen Baby Sleep. I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Did you know? I also host a weekly Q&A on my Instagram. Tune in or send me a DM on the 'gram!
I work with families one-on-one all the time who are experiencing issues with their babies' naps, overnight sleep, and more. If this sounds like you, please book a 15-minute sleep assessment call just so I can understand a little bit more about your child's sleep and then explain ways that I can work one-on-one with you to get it in order.
May your coffee be warm,
Sarah
Sarah is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert based in the NY/NJ Tri-State area and has helped over 500 families worldwide get their sleep back on track.
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