I have made the mistake of letting my son nap on me since he was a newborn. But now I feel like I should be putting him down to nap...any suggestions on how to get him to nap in his crib?
You just put him down when he's drowsy. He might fuss, you just soothe him, until he's drowsy, repeat.
Naps can be anywhere.
Take him for stroller walks - he'll nap in the stroller.
He'll also nap during car rides.
If he's nodding off, put him in his crib and sit near by and sing to him.
He'll know you are there and eventually get use to not being held by you.
It will help at bedtime too.
i second what margie g said
It might be easier if you begin by having him nap in your bed. You can put pillows around him so that he can't roll off. If you lie down next to him and rub his back a few times, he will likely go to sleep because you are close. The just gently roll away and let him sleep.
Sorry, I'm useless when it comes to getting kids to sleep in cribs. I tried with my first, but not with my second. He either slept in our bed or on a mattress on the floor.
Both of my boys fell asleep faster if one of us was nearby, so we used that to our advantage.
Why do you want him in the crib? If he's not ever napped in there he's not going to want to. Those things are uncomfortable!! I had to take both my son's out of their cribs before a year. Like others said start with him beside you with a pillow that way he wont feel you move away once he's asleep.
Let him sleep on the couch. Don't keep the house quiet for naps. Babies should know the difference in naps and night time sleeping.
Do you know how childcare gets babies to nap? They have a SET TIME every day that the children sleep. They have a set schedule. You need that too for your child. The same time every day. Don't go out and do errands around nap time. And don't use the car or the stroller to get him to sleep. He needs to be able to sleep without you doing all the work for him. If you do, it's the same as him laying on you the whole time...
I sure hope you aren't letting him sleep on you at night...
getting a baby to sleep where they are when they get sleepy is one of the best gifts a parent can give a baby.
you're late to the party, but you can still make it happen. it'll take a little time, but you can still do it.
start laying him down when he gets drowsy. stay with him, rub his back, sing to him, but don't pick him up. let him get used to that first.
gradually shorten the time you stay with him.
and don't just do it in his crib. babies should sleep when they're not at home.
khairete
S.
