Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Napping in a Different Place Than Sleeping?

by Taralea
(Portland, OR)

We live in a studio apartment and our son doesn't have his own room. so for me to get anything done during the day it is best if he sleeps upstairs in my parents house in a room. will this mess up his sleep cycle for sleeping in his own crib at night?

Answer:

Hi Taralea,

I don't think that it will. If he's used to the naptime routine involving sleeping in his playpen he'll just get used to that routine. He'll know that naptime is in the playpen, and bedtime is in the crib.

Just have a set routine for getting him ready for his nap and one for bed. He'll adapt and get used to both routines :)

I would recommend, though, that you don't put him in the playpen to play. It's really best to try and keep a sleeping space just for sleep - so if he's going to nap in the playpen you want to reserve that just for naps. This keeps him from wondering if it's time to sleep, or if it's time to play!