Napping Question

My first son was the same -- after trying everythign to get him to nap in the crib without success, I gave up and just let him nap in the swing. My ped was fine with this, reminding me that that sleep in any form is better than no sleep. Would occasionally try the crib and once he got a few months older, he started to nap there. So my advice would be not to stress about it and let him nap in the swing for now. Good luck.

Hi K.,

RE: the CIO question. My Dr. said that around 4 months is when you can adopt the CIO method if you chose to do so. We didn't elect to do CIO but I know a lot of people have success with it.

My son was the same kind of napper. I would usually get him to sleep in my arms then when I'd put him down, blamo! he was awake. It sucked. I just kept working with him and when I'd put him down I'd rest my arm on his belly and tell him it was OK and Mommy was here and not going anywhere. IF that really wasn't working and he needed to take a nap, I'd just stroll him around in a stroller and let him fall asleep and leave him there (ours could be put into a completely flat mode).

I know it's so trying and exhausting but this phase too shall pass.

Good luck!
T.

My son was the same way, except it was very hard for me to even get him to sleep in his crib at night (that one took me a while). I thought he should nap in his crib to, but it never failed for about the first five months that is where he napped. It will pass just keep working on it. I know I really did not have any advice, but just wanted to let you know you are not alone :)

Hi K.,

We swaddled and then put our daughter in the Snuggle nest. We used the positioners but made sure they were around her waist and not near her face. She just needed to feel snug and wrapped up. We had to rock her to sleep though for almost 10 months. She is two now and sleeps great at nap time and at night.

My son only napped in his swing for hs first 6 months. He was swaddled until 4 or 5 months. At about 5 months we did sleep training at night. Once we had that down, we worked on naps. I had just gone back to work at that time and my husband was home for 3 weeks. He made it his mission to transition him from the swing to his crib and he did in a matter of days. Even though we had tried before, I think he was just ready at that point. So, my advice would be to try it for a couple days, and if it doesn't work, wait another month or so and try it again. I really worried about him becoming too dependent on the swing, but it all worked out int he end.

HI K.,
I have triplets, and one of my sons was the same way. My other son and daughter would go down in their crib with no problems. I let him nap in the swing until he was 4 1/2 months old, then we had to make a change. I was worried I was going to create a situation in which he would ONLY nap in the swing. Unfortunately, I had to let him cry it out. It was HORRIBLE, but I had a lot of support from my sister in law, who had been through it. It's very tough, but I kept thinking I was making him a better sleeper. He is now 8 months old and ONLY naps in his crib. He still cries for 30 seconds-3 minutes. But usually never longer than that. I know this is not for everyone, and I can see why. It's tough. But it does work. If you decide to do it, just know you are helping him in the long run. Good luck.

Check out www.sleepyplanet.com or tje book, The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. They worked magic for me.

Hi K.,
To address a prior poster's comments, I think "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" is actually a woderful book written by a doc who runs a sleep clinic at a highly respected medical school. As with any advice about parenting, you can take what feels right but decide not to follow advice that does not feel comfortable you as a mom ot right for your child. I did not follow every word in that book, but I found much of the information about sleep patterns, bedtimes, the type of development that happens during different naps, etc., to be quite helpful. Information helped me make the best decisions for my son, even if that means going against the author's advice. Personally, I found much of his advice to be helpful, and I was thankful for all of the knowledge I gained, such as learning how and why an overtired baby has a harder time falling asleep. Also, I feel that disregarding the information contained in a parenting book just because a man wrote it is reverse sexism. Male or female, this doctor is a sleep expert. Again, there may be things you don't feel are right for you and your baby, and this book might not be the right one for you, but it is by no means a "damn book" written by someone who is "just trying to make a buck" because it is not the right approach for every family or because it is written by a man. Let's please try not to judge each other's parenting choices. Yes, I found that book to be very helpful. At the same time, I know that it is not the right approach for everyone. As moms, we are subjected to so much judgement already about our parenting choices. Please, let's not add to that negativity here. What I've liked so much about Mamasource is that we are here to support each other and offer suggestions when someone has a question, not to tear others down.

my word of advice, as a mother of a nearly 2 year old who was once a poor napper and is now a GREAT napper... don't stress about it at all. it's so not worth it. i stressed about it and what a waste of time and energy. don't read that damn book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child or any other book that tells you to do something that goes against your instinct. those people are just trying to make a buck and most of them are men. children want to sleep, they just are scared or in (teething) pain when they are under one. i think it's pretty scary and overwhelming to be a little baby and that's why sleep is hard, it's scary for them. also, i say don't do CIO because i think it affects a child's self-esteem and confidence. you'll see, your baby will become a good napper. no worries, mama!