Question

You have a great question about naps, but first let me conYou have a great question about naps, but first let me congratulate you. You are obviously doing many things right when I hear how well your daughter is doing with her naps at home.

Answer

You have a great question about naps, but first let me congratulate you. You are obviously doing many things right when I hear how well your daughter is doing with her naps at home. Babies do best with routines and your daughter is a great example of this. Infants and toddlers with regular play and mealtimes tend to do better with naps and bedtimes.

Babies respond in various ways when their routine changes. Some have "laid-back" personalities and really don't mind. Other babies are much more sensitive. It's just who they are. Your daughter is likely a little more sensitive.

There are a few things you can do to help your daughter cope with change. When you're away from home, try to keep on the same schedule, including mealtimes. At naptime, try to find a place that will be quiet, with reduced lighting. Many infants do better when they have their favorite thin blanket or other small soft item. If she doesn't have one yet, I would suggest starting to lay her to sleep every time with the exact same item. To avoid increasing the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), keep all quilts, fluffy blankets, pillows, and large toys, including stuffed animals, out of the crib.

The toughest part is staying calm when your daughter is crying. It's hard, but she will do best if you can soothe her with a gentle voice and rocking. When we as parents get excited, it tends to make things worse.

So, try to keep the routine but don't worry too much and don't overdo your efforts. Change is part of life, and these trips out are all part of the fun as your daughter grows. Make sure you add some nap stories to her baby book, as your daughter will love to hear about them in the years to come.