8-Month Old Won't Lie down for Naps

You might have to do the tough love rule. I did it with my little guy and the child I take care of. Adventually she will lay her self down and go to sleep. You have to let her do it her self or it will become oh mommy will rock me to sleep and 2:00 am and she is up to be rocked to sleep! I've been there done that thing. Things to do while she is crying, listen to head phones (every 5 min take off and see if she is still fussing), Set a time limit that you think she will not cry that long for like 20 min, Make sure you stick to it or she will learn to cry that long and you will come in and rock her to sleep lay her back down say mommy loves you night night, then ndo it again adventually she will fall asleep. Then when she wakes up go right in and wisk her up and hug and kiss her all you want. I had to do that my son who is now 2. Boy did he know how to work me over.

Good question. I just want to sympathize with you, because my 9-month old son has been the same way for about 2 months since he started pulling himself up. He's only just learned how to sit down this week, but of course he's not interested in laying himself down to sleep. I have to nurse him to sleep and then lay him down.

The Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby book addresses this.
It suggests not helping them down or they will always cry for you. They will fall a few times getting down but are safe in the crib.

if you have time, read that book. I just finished it and have two little ones that sleep through the night now FOR THE FIRST TIME! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wendy,

Instead of telling her that she has to take a nap, tell her it's quiet time. She can stay up and play and give her a few toys to play with. Tell her she doesn't have to go to sleep, but she does need to stay in her room and play for about 30 minutes. This worked for my sister and me and it works with my kids. Within a little while, they'll just go to sleep. As far as separation anxiety, all you can do is reassure her that she is ok and that you are still here for her. Have a special book or song or something that is just for the two of you. It will help her remember that you are still there for her.

sometimes kids this age have learned how to pullup but haven't learned how to get back down. like a kitten up a tree. i'd just keep helping her down.

she's psyched since she figured out how to pull up. problem (for you) is she doesn't know how to lie back down. you have to keep putting her down until she figures it out or is too pooped to pop back up again. eventually when she's done being psyched about this new skill she'll quit doing it.