Question of the week - NAPS!!

I am so thankful for this "Question Of The Week" brought to us by Multiples and More! In fact - I submitted the question!!  So - thanks for posting it.  I REALLY look forward to reading about this subject.  The area I need the most help with is the "transition" from 2 naps to 1.  I have one babe who seems ready, while the other is not there at all.  Help!!?!! 

Onto the questions.  Hope I can help someone out there, too!

1.) How do you encourage healthy sleep habits in your children?
From day one we have worked hard to create routine and a solid schedule so they knew what to expect.  It worked pretty well, I think.  Our girls started sleeping through the night just before 5 months of age and have done so ever since.  It was a dream come true to say the least.  But - the key was to follow a routine.  When they were between 4 and 5 months old I did the EXACT same thing every night about 2 hours leading up to bedtime.  About half an hour prior to bedtime we would give them a soothing bath and it helped to calm them right before bed.  Now ... things have changed a bit because they do not fall asleep in our arms anymore.  We put them down awake and they fall asleep on their own.  Some nights it's pretty smooth -- other nights we have some tears.  But - they sleep form about 7pm until 5:30 or 6.

2.) When they were infants, how did you get your babies to sleep/nap at the same time?
Our babes slept (naps and bedtime) in their swings until about 4 months old.  It was a survival technique.  After that they have slept in the same room for naps and bedtime.  It always amazed us, but somehow even if one of them is throwing a complete fit - the other sleeps though it.  We have an occasional time when one of them wakes the other, but for the most part it isn't an issue for us.  I think it is because they have been together since the beginning and have learned to cope with those noises.  We didn't have them sleep in the SAME crib, just the same room.  I felt as though they would eventually need to be in their own cribs so I didn't want them to have yet another transition.

3.) If they wake up early from a nap, how did/do you handle that?
Well...first I cry.  Then, I compose myself and make a plan.  You see - I have one babe (Ms. R) who is not the best or most willing napper.  Ms. K on the other hand takes the most beautiful naps a mama could ask for.  So - that is quite frustrating, at times. When Ms. R wakes.... I usually go and grab her so Ms. K can continue sleeping.  Even if Ms. K sleeps another hour longer than Ms. R she is always ready for that afternoon nap.  She is just a good great sleeper.  It should be noted, however, that Ms. K sucks her thumb.  I really think this contributes to her great sleeping.  Ms. R doesn't suck her thumb or use a nook and so she doesn't have that automatic soother.  If Ms. R sleeps an hour per nap I feel that is a great day for her.  Ms. K would sleep 2.5+ in the morning and 1.5+ in the afternoon.  Ahhhhhhh.

4.) Do you have a minimum amount of time that you want your babies to sleep, or at least rest in their cribs for?
In  a dream world I'd love them both to nap for 2 hours in the morning and at least 1 hour in the afternoon. As I said - "dream world". 

5.) Napping transitions (this is a big one!): How did/do you handle the situation of going from two naps to one, when one child is ready and the other(s) were not?
As I mentioned above - this is where I am struggling BIG time right now.  I feel Ms. R (lousy napper) may be ready for 1 longer late morning/early afternoon nap.  But - Ms. K is definitely NOT ready.  I am working through a few new napping scenarios in my brain as we speak and may try implementing them soon.  I don't want to do this too soon, but when I hear Ms. R struggling to fall asleep for naps and nighttime - I know something is not right with her schedule.  This is where having two babies is really challenging. I am looking for advice on this specific topic so if anyone has had one babe who was ready to go to one nap, while the other still needed two - please send your advice my way! Please!! My husband and I are considering splitting the girls for their naps as well.  We have an extra crib that we've had on the main level, but could move into a spare room.  I often wonder if I am going to have to suck it up and have them on different schedules for a few months.  I don't know!! Part of me looks forward to the day when we have our mornings to run errands, go to the gym, or have play dates - and then - nap in the afternoon.  The other part of me worries Ms. R won't nap then either.  Fright!!

6.) f you have older multiples- how did the transition to toddler beds affect their sleep patterns? When did naps *gasp* come to an end?
We are still in our cribs, thank you God!  And, yes - GASP............ and completely lose my mind when naps come to an end!!  Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

I think I have spent at least part of every single day since the girls were born OBSESSING about their sleep.  I talk to everyone I know about it - even complete strangers.  Not kidding.  I think some people think I'm a bit nutty.  And, maybe I am.  But - I know first hand that when the babes get a good nap they are just happier and easier to be around.  It's pretty simple.  So - I will continue to stategize and welcome any and all advice people are willing to share!

With love,
Cuz I'm the mama!