NO Noise Allowed During Nap-time
Should I just post this sign around the neighborhood?
I remember when Serophina was a baby and into the toddler years, how challenging it was to create a noise-free environment that would allow her to stay asleep. I remember being a Noise Nazi during naptime, shushing everyone that spoke louder than a whisper, making sure all windows were closed so no outside noise would wake her up, scolding my husband for slamming the doors or even for having heavy footsteps. Nap time in our house meant quiet time for everyone.
Now that we have Saioa and she naps twice a day, I’ve noticed that the Noise Nazi in me has returned. Up until recently, there was construction noise next door to us every day because they were building a house. Saioa hardly had daytime naps during this time. She would sleep sporadically because the noise was constant in our house. There were days I wanted to scream at the construction workers and their obnoxious machinery for keeping my baby from napping. There were days I actually considered asking them to take their lunch break during Saioa’s naptime. I never did any of those things, just quietly endured, waiting patiently for the day that house was done.
That day finally came, but then I had to worry about other noise-making elements: A plane flying overhead, kids playing across the street, a yappy dog, a UPS truck…. I quickly remembered that noise was everywhere and I doubted they’d cooperate with my baby’s nap schedule.
I now regularly use a fan that creates white noise and that helps a little. The rest of the time, Serophina and I tiptoe around the house and I’m not the most fun person to be around!
How do you deal with noise during naptime?
Hi Mamta-
I have a different view on noise as I think it’s best to get infants accustomed to noise rather than complete quiet early on.
I took Sayle to work with me until he was 11 months old. Being in an office setting, he had to sleep through phones ringing, people in and out, chatter, etc..and he did just that. I’m glad he was accustomed to noise as now he sleeps through phones ringing, dogs barking, talking, regular household noise. BUT-with that being said, in the morning if he’s starting to stir and he hears my husband’s footsteps (not sure why they HAVE to walk like that) he will wake up.
Regarding the construction noise-I doubt he would sleep through beeping machinery and off and on hammering. That would tick me off too!
I think the fan is a good idea or maybe if you put on some soft music in another room yet in the earshot of Saioa to keep the noise soft and constant and to drown out any other random noises that may startle her?