How Do I Get My 7 Month Old to Nap? HELP!

Updated on February 23, 2009
S.C. asks from Arlington, TX
10 answers

My 7 month old daugher will not nap for longer than 30 minutes twice a day. It's driving me crazy! She goes to bed between 7:30 and 8 and usually sleeps 12 hours. Any suggestions on getting her to nap during the day? I am desperate!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.G.

answers from Dallas on

My favorite sleep book. The no cry sleep solution by Elizabeth Pantley. It has some great ideas and that is exactly what I like about this book, lots of ideas, not this is what you have to do.

good luck. Getting a good sleep routine now is so worth it later.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi Shannon,
I have 3 girls (now 10, 7 & 4) that I used the suggestions from the book "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam. Honestly when my oldest was 3 months old she was sleeping through the night. They all had scheduled naps and rarely woke froma nap prematurely. I recommend this book to everyone.
I wish you the best of luck and God Bless.
K.
http://my.waiora.com/home.php?895341

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Dallas on

Most babies that age need around 14 hours of sleep per day. I think once they are 8-12 months it is 13 hours. Each baby is so different and some require much less sleep. I have friend whose 3 month old only takes one 30 minutes a day and most days does not take a nap. My suggestion would be to keep her up later (might be very hard if she is not napping good). After a couple of days she will hopefully only sleep 10 hours at night then you can get maybe two one hour naps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.Z.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest...now 20 months was the SAME way, still is...
he just doesn't nap...He has always slept really well at night and NEVER fought going to bed. He was never really crabby w/o a nap, just didn't seem to need it (now, let me tell you I NEEDED IT!! and still do). I finally decided it wasn't worth the battle during the day b/c he was so good going down at night early, so we just rolled with one 45 minute to an hour nap a day, and still do...stinks for me, but evenings and nights of sleep and quiet were worth the trade off...sorry. I know what you are going through!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi there:

She won't nap because she's sleeping 12 hours a night. You will have to give up one for the other, so if you either keep her up longer or wake her up earlier, then I'll be you will be able to get her to nap.

Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.E.

answers from Dallas on

When my grandson started doing this during the day his doctor told us to leave him in his bed for at least 1 hour each nap. At this age they need two a day. After about 3 days he began to sleep for at least 1 1/2 hours. Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Dallas on

Looks like she is out growing naps. My son did around that time too. I used a playpen for those moments of near insanity when I needed a break. He loved it. A big square one did the trick.

He played in it and enjoyed the safety of it. Of course I did not leave him indefinitely and he knew it was a short break for both of us.

Once he was walking, I would leave half side down and he would crawl in there and just play or even nap if he was tired - all by himself. I think it made him feel safe - made his world a whole lot smaller and more manageable for him.

Many people do not believe in play pens - not sure why. Did not have one for my first but did for my second and it was wonderful.

You are not expected to be holding baby or tending to baby every minute of the day and this gives her a safe place to be while you are doing laundry or preparing dinner, playing with brother or doing your hair. What a treat it is to take care of ourselves. :)

As long as she can see you she will be great. Add a few different toys each time to keep her occupied.

Two babies, bless your heart. I am sure quite exhausting. Hang in there! C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Just keep trying. She really needs 2 good naps a day at her age. It is probably just a phase. Is she cutting teeth?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Dallas on

I currently have a seven month old that does the exact same thing. She falls asleeps and without fail, wakes up 30 to 45 min. later. I usually go in as soon as I hear her start to cry and nurse her back to sleep. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get her back into a deep sleep, but she will almost always sleep for another hour or longer after I nurse her.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

My six month old does the same thing and has since she was about 4 months old. Her doctor says not to worry about it....sleeping 12 hours at night is a blessing. He said to just provide her with opportunities during the day to nap. Like if you really want him to take a nap, you might play quiet music, cut down on other noises, rock him, etc. That was my doctor's suggestion, but it sounds like some babies just have a different schedule than others. My first one napped frequently but only slept 6 or 7 hours at night until he was one. I personally prefer the tiny naps and long night!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches