nap battles--UGH

mediaperuana

Just a vent, not really looking for answers.

I stay at home with LO, and honestly, these naptime battles are sucking all the joy out of it. Every single nap has to be a fight. I know he's tired--he's yawning, rubbing his eyes, fussing. But the minute I try to put him down, he's fighting. If I try to rock him, he's squirming, kicking and whining. If I put him in his crib, he just rolls around and plays with his feet. And once I finally get him down, he only sleeps 30-40 minutes.

I just spent an hour trying to get him to nap, and finally gave up. He's crabby and whiny, and we still have 1.5 hours until DH gets home. At least dad does the bedtime routine!

fignewt74

Maybe its boys?  Both of mine have been EXACTLY the same way.  Sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I am right there with you.

All I can say since having been through it already is TRY not to let it affect you (easier said than done).  He is not directing it at YOU - he loves hanging out with you so much that he just doesn't want to take a break of you. 

Also, this too shall pass.  I struggled with naps so much with DS1, and now he is such a healthy, happy boy who sleeps really well at night!  You can only do so much, and as long as you are providing him a good sleep environment and offering naps, you are doing everything you are supposed to.

Keep your chin up mommy!

Drea926

fignewt74 said:

Maybe its boys?  Both of mine have been EXACTLY the same way.  Sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I am right there with you.

All I can say since having been through it already is TRY not to let it affect you (easier said than done).  He is not directing it at YOU - he loves hanging out with you so much that he just doesn't want to take a break of you. 

Also, this too shall pass.  I struggled with naps so much with DS1, and now he is such a healthy, happy boy who sleeps really well at night!  You can only do so much, and as long as you are providing him a good sleep environment and offering naps, you are doing everything you are supposed to.

Keep your chin up mommy!

Thank you for saying this. I think it's really encouraging for any of us who have had nap struggles!!

carriesu2003

Nope it isn't just boys.  We are working our way through this issue as we speak.  I sometimes think about mothers who have babies that take 2 2 hour naps and get pissed because I realize they are getting 4 hours off a day! 4 hours! OK I know they are not really getting it "off" but it feels unfair. Boo hoo.

elizhope

If Im not nursing to sleep, I swaddle when I rock so she cant squirm quite as much. She settles so much faster. Then once she has calmed down, I quietly unhook the velcro (but dont move her arms) and continue rocking. Then I put her in her crib, technically unswaddled. If I try without the swaddle first, she fights so hard. But I usually just nurse her until she's groggy and then put her down. With all my kids 3-7 months is just a timeframe they are awful awful nappers.

ATLdesi

I could have written every word of this post.  Every word!  Down to the "sucking all the joy out of it" part.  Just wanted you to know you're not alone.  Hugs

happy_un-bride

DS hardly ever naps. I get like 15 minutes here or there throughout the day. And he wakes up miffed, like I tricked him into sleeping. I don't force the issue; he naps or he doesn't and we go about our day (run errands, playgroups etc). He generally goes to bed around 11pm and sttn to 7am, so I can't argue. I'll get a couple more hours out of him after his first feed in the morning too. I pick my battles, napping isn't one of them. Good luck!

mishka29

ATLdesi said:

I could have written every word of this post.  Every word!  Down to the "sucking all the joy out of it" part.  Just wanted you to know you're not alone.  Hugs

Me too! The 4th nap of the day was a fail so she was up from 2:30 to 6:30. Ugh!

mediaperuana

Thanks all, nice to hear I'm not alone! I'll just keep telling myself I'm SOOOO awesome, LO can't stand to be away from me for a second

nikkisun54

Sounds like our little guy as well! He exhibits every sleep sign, but the moment we lay him in the crib his eyes burst open and he starts wiggling around like he's been asleep all night. I just went back to work and whenever I get down about not seeing DS during the day, I remind myself that at least I am getting a break from being on nap patrol. I feel your pain, you're doing all the right things!