6 Month Old Doesn't Want to Nap

You don't say how long this has been going on, but "blips" in the nap schedule are totally normal, esp. when your baby is teething or achieving a milestone. (Is he starting to crawl? Sit up on his own?)

I would stop driving around and nursing him to sleep. You are setting yourself up for a high maintenance baby. Those habits will be hard to break another 6 months from now.

I don't know how you feel about "crying it out", but at that age, we let our son cry for 10-15 minutes. If it was clear he wasn't going to settle down for a nap, then we got him up.

Hi T.,

My babies usually take two naps until they are approximately 18 mos. old. Around 1 year I usually shorten the morning nap to 1 hour, and then they take about a 2-3 hour afternoon nap. If you want them to have a good naptime routine for everyone I would suggest that you start by just putting him in his crib when it is time for a nap. He may have a few days of fussing, but you will be surprised how quickly he will adjust, and you will be so glad you did this. Just be consistent, and follow through. Those six words should be used a lot in raising children....it makes them happy and content once they figure out that you aren't going to give in, and just let them do whatever they want. They soon find out that you know what is best.

C.

If you are still nursing try eliminating ALL caffine for a few days and see if that helps. My friend always complained that her kids never napped, she nursed both for a full year but drank ALOT of coffee throughout the day. When she cut it out they napped like angels :) She was so addicted to it though that she preferred the coffee over the kids napping :( not very good for the baby, they need alot of sleep!
Good Luck!!

I have a five and 1/2 month old son who does the same thing. We get up about 6 a.m. everyday, he has breakfast, we take my husband to work, and then he takes his nap around 8. He usually naps for about 2-3 hours and then doesn't nap the rest of the day. He takes an occasional 20 minute nap in the car on the way to the store but other than that he does without. He goes to bed anytime between 6 and 7 p.m. and sleeps til 6 a.m. except for when I wake him at 10 p.m. to eat. We have tried changing his schedule but for now he is set in his ways. He is a happy camper all afternoon and I see no point in forcing him to take a nap if he's awae and playing. The doctor said everything was fine and not to worry, that he'll let you know when he's tired. I hope this helps.

Yes its possible and babies sleep when they are tired they know what they need as far as sleep goes, I wouldnt force a nap. As they get older their sleep habits change a lot. Mom of 4 gramma to 3.

heres the most important parenting advice you will ever hear;

follow your instincts.

only you and your husband know your child the way you do. only you two are blessed with the instincts that you have. only you know what your children need!

outside advice or 'parenting rules' dont matter half as much as just listening to your heart and following the feelings you have. if you feel your baby doesnt need that second nap... skip it. put baby to sleep when he is tired. feed him when hes hungry. stop feedign when hes full. just listen. babies are always going to know what they need, and they arent shy about telling us. just follow that.

also, usually aroudn this age, theres the teething issue. maybe teeth are hurting around the time for that second nap. maybe try giving some tylenol or something and see if that calms him enough to sleep some more...

good luck!
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