Bedtime Versus Naps?

You are doing the right thing by putting her in her crib for naps. After about 3 months babies need to be stationary to sleep well and their crib is the best place for them. Sleep is sleep . She will sleep longer at night because her body calls for it. You are not confusing her. Great job!

My older kids always napped in their crib. My younger one just fell asleep wherever. Some kids adapt easier than others, but the important thing is that you get a routine and stick with it.

Why is she crying so much at nap time? Has she been awake enough inbetween waking and naptime or are you trying to put her down too early? At 10 weeks she should be taking at least, maybe 3 naps a day depending on when she goes to sleep at night and wakes in the morning.

I would get a good book about sleep and read about how your baby's sleep cycle works. That will help you understand her needs.

I think the key is to keep the lights on/window shades up during naps and have natural noise around her. At bedtime, everything is dark and quiet - she'll notice the difference. Also, I recommend "Healthy Sleep Happy Baby" by Dr. Weissbluth - great advice on how much sleep babies and toddlers need developmentally and what sleep schedule have. Good luck!

From all of the reading I've done on the subject of babies and sleep, "they" recommend putting the baby to sleep in the same place for all sleep times - preferably the crib. Like a previous poster said, swaddling can help with a baby that young, too.

Most kids will do fine with slight variations in routine. Although some may not. My daughter who still loves her routines did fine with changing up nap time vs. night time sleep routines.

My 3 month old sleeps great at night in his crib, but will only nap for about 45 minutes in there. so i swaddle him, feed him and put him in the swing for naps and he sleeps for 2 hours.

i had this problem with my little one who is now 14months old. she didnt like naps and when i tryed to use the crib it made night time like nap time so i used a pack-n-play for naps. it worked out great. we also used a swing. everybaby is differnt but this worked for us. now that she is bigger she does naps in her crib with out a problem. we also did music i think it helped. good luck hope this helps you

My daughter (now 16 months) has been sleeping in her crib for both naps and bedtime since she was a few months old. I create the exact same environment for both nap and bedtime (closed blinds, sound machine on, etc.) and I think that the consistency helps her to know it's time to sleep. The only difference is the routine before nap vs. bedtime (she gets a bath and prayer before bedtime). Don't worry... your little one won't get nap and bedtime confused. Her body's natural rythms will dictate that. Good luck and enjoy you new little blessing!

Here is some info that I hope might be helpful for you...

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

Best wishes,
J.

Yes, I think you are crediting her with cognitive skills way beyond her. This is not uncommon, the night time sleeper who does not nap. One thought, is the house so much quieter at night? Try taking the phone off the hook and making the room dark and not making any noise until she falls asleep. She probably has a biological rhythm that contributes to this, but that can be modified. She must learn to nap for you to resume your adult life and not cater to her all day long. When she is 4 mos old you can begin to let her cry, I use the 5-10-15 min approach and most babies learn to nap with that. Actually, putting her in the crib for naps might help her to sleep. Also, when she begins (and she will begin) to wake up at night when you are hoping she will sleep through, or goes back to waking up at night after sleeping through the night for some weeks, you just train her at night by letting her cry. She will not be traumatized by this and will benefit from the health advantages of getting enough sleep. Another thought, I often say that I wish I could hold a baby and rock it to sleep for as long as they are little and cuddly, but it is just a romantic fantasy. Sooner or later, baby will not fall asleep in your arms, in fact, it will keep her awake. She will have to fall asleep on her own in her crib, you will have to put her down while she is awake and forgo what you do now to settle her down. Enjoy this time when she falls asleep in your arms or as you rub her back, or whatever, but be prepared for its passing.

treat nap exactly like night time, same place, same music, same routine. The child will naturally only sleep a few hours. Nature takes care of that, you just enjoy your me time. The more the same everything is, the better for sleep quality.

Also you may be missing her window of sleep and if you wait too long to put her down she will fuss. With that age I find that 1.5 to 2 hours after waking is almost too much time to start the nap.

It is nice to hear that some mom have the same way of thinking that I had. My son will be 19 years old on Sunday but I remember the times of naps. He never really fused because I let him nap in different places and it usually was not in his crib. His favorite was his swing (it was a battery ran swing) or in a snuggy (papoose pack) that I carried him in when we went to the store or running errands. I sometimes laid him on a cushy quilt on the floor or even in the recliner. I would recline it back so he was in like a pocket. If I was outside I would just set him in his little carrier and put him the shade where I could see him. If I needed a nap he laid down with me. Once in awhile I would put him in his crib but usually not. I thought I like you are.
Some babies do not need as much sleep during the day as others. Sounds like she will be like my son and by the time she is one she will only need a nap occasional and by age two naps will be a thing of the past. Our son slept through the night at a very early age and had no problem sleeping 10-12 hours. He still like to get a lot of sleep. When he gets home from work he usually lays down for a nap. His little 6'2" body needs rest after 8 hours of working to the Cities Parks Department. HA! HA! And it usually in our bed because we have a sleep number bed and he has just an inter-spring mattress.
Don't get hung up on thinking she needs to be in her crib and if she does not want a nap skip it or reschedule. Just enjoy your daughter don't worry about a schedule.
God Bless,
S.
P.S. Always put her in her crib at night. Do not let her sleep just anywhere or in your bed. My husband that is his bed the crib later a regular bed but it was his.

Hi Rachel At her age I don't think she can tell the difference. They have their days and nights mixed up any way. Until they get a certain age.