How Can I Get My 10 Week Old to Nap?

My son used to nap in his swing. I know some will say that is not okay but sitting up helped him and he always got a good nap that way.

I have so much sympathy for you. One of my babies was just like this - relux makes everything hard. I became expert at moby wraps, because the only way he would nap was if he was complete vertical, because of the reflex. My arms got tired of holding him, so I would wear him in the Moby and just go about my day with him in there, napping.

For inexpensive Moby wrap options, learn how to tie one on youtube. Then you can go to any fabric store and get jersey material to make one. No sewing involved. I bought a length of heavy jersey for winter, and light (almost t-shirt) material for summer.

My LO also went to daycare and to be honest, he just didn't sleep much there. There was a lovely woman in my center's infant room who considered herself all the infants' grandma, and she did hold him to sleep as much as she could. He never did fall into a solid napping schedule, even after he outgrew the reflux.

So sorry you're going through this. I went through something similar with my son. He had a number of gastrointestinal issues as a new born (he's 14 months now and they're mostly resolved). I'm not sure if it was the stomach issues or what, but he also had difficulty with sleep. The swing was the only place he was able to stay sleeping for more than 15 minutes. But since you said you've already tried the swing, have you tried a baby wrap? They're similar to baby carriers, but may be more appropriate for a younger infant. The rhythm of your natural movements may help her sleep and you'll have two free hands to do whatever you need to do. But I wonder if the daycare would be willing to use it...

I'm so sorry...this is hard. Can one of the caregivers at the day care just wear your baby most of the day? You can try asking them. My first child was like this and really could not sleep due to reflux. I had to wear him a LOT. He liked movement. When I went back to work part time I found a woman who was happy to hold or wear him most of the time. She understood that he needed to be more upright to sleep. We had an upright bouncy chair and if he was swaddled very tight and was nice and warm he would sleep in there for a while at this age. It was the most upright thing we had...he was pretty much in a sitting up position but strapped in. I wonder if they make something else nowadays?

gripe water to sooth her symptoms and get her ph balanced, other than that it sounds like you need to look for something that will mimick your heart beat and body heat. i know they used to have boppy pillows that did this and also elevated the baby, but i dont know if they still do. its something to look into.

Talk to her Pediatrician. There are medications that will make her more comfortable. You could also try her sleeping at an incline or on her side. (clear it her doctor first). Do you swaddle? You could also try music or a white noise machine.

My second child was very temperature sensitive and if I put him down from my arms to a cold sheet he work up immediately. Try warming the crib with either a heating pad or a warm water bottle and put her down while she is still drowsy but not yet completely asleep. She is too young to sleep train. I know daycare is hard but the people there will take care of her and if they don't - you find a new daycare!

Sending sympathetic e-hugs because my first was exactly the same way. Good advice below, so just sending best wishes for a smooth transition to daycare.

she is using your rocking to go to sleep so you need to eliminate that - do this gradually unless you are willing to do cry it out
So, today, you rock but only for 10 minutes instead of 15 and gradually decrease this time. When she cries again you don't get her up but you comfort her by patting her in her bed. The daycare will be experts in this, they will know how to do it, you may want to ask them for pointers. Usually in a group care setting where she is in a room of only infants they just pat the babies until they fall asleep.

if you are holding her tummy to you it may be that pressure on fer gut that calms her to sleep, or its your warmth that she wants, try side laying her or putting her on her tummy to sleep (keep an eye on her if you do this since its recommended that babies sleep on their backs) or 2ltr bottle of warm water wrapped in a blanket to stimulate your warmth may help her stay sleeping. or a pacifier or other lovey.

My middle son had colic really really bad. We used to put his bassinet in the laundry room because for whatever reason the vibration from the future would lull him to sleep. I would have to creep in and open the dryer before the bell went off or we would have to start the whole process over again.

Hi C.,

I couldn't put mine down for the first 5 months and boy was he a swaddler too. It sounds like you're doing the right things and I am so glad to hear you won't let her "cry it out." She is far too young for that.

Loving Doris Day's advice. Mine includes communicating this to the day care. I am sure this isn't their first rodeo in this arena and can probably communicate some possible solutions, even starting today so you have that week to work her into a new pattern.

best of all to you and yours, S.

They won't hold her but the room and new environment will hold her, her attention that is. They will take good care of her and they don't have the babies on any set schedule, that is against the law. Until they turn 1 and move into the toddler room the baby room staff are forbidden to try to make the babies lay down on any set schedule or stay awake due to some thing they are doing. When the baby is tired they put the baby down to sleep.

I'd see how it goes. They do need to make sure she is reclining and not laying down flat when sleeping. That is very painful for the little ones.

We kept our boy sleeping in a bouncy chair that was placed in his bed. His bed was also right by our bed so we could hear him if he started gurgling and needed attention. Liquid Reglin was a miracle drug for him. We gave him .09mg about 10 minutes before he got a bottle and he was able to keep it down. We did feed him more often so he never got super hungry. If he wanted to eat we gave him a little formula. That way he never overate nor did he ever suck down a huge bottle full of air from being shaken.

Well, I've never been a mother, but I suggest sim lighting and warm milk. :)

I had 2 that had reflux, not fun, everything you wear gets ruined. First one i didn't know what to do! Second one For sleeping at that age we used the car seat. Buckled her in and all. Put her carseat next to our bed and in the crib. That kept her asleep. As she got older we transfered her to a bed. But at that young age sitting up worked the best. If i had known then what i know today, i would have used some essential oils to help with the reflux and sleep! Live and learn!

You have to wean her from your arms. Stay with her when she wakes, lay her on her stomach and pat her bottom. Just keep patting it while she cries and she will fall asleep.

Do it over and over. She will require less patting as things go on, and she'll sleep longer between waking up.

If you don't wean her from your arms, you'll be doing this until she's 3 years old...