Help with naps, 5 month old LO

shootthemoon

So, we transitioned DS to his crib at 3.5 months bc he was outgrowing his cosleeper. He's taken to it well, we no longer swaddle bc he's starting to roll but we use a fleece sleep sack and he goes to bed with a paci.

Recently, we've gotten him to self-soothe at night, after a few weeks of his insisting that we hold him to sleep, and bedtime and MOTN go rather swimmingly.

However he still has a LOT of trouble napping during the day. He is tired and wants to sleep but when we try putting him down in his crib, he wakes up immediately and cries. DH has had more success than I have at getting him to nap in his crib. Probably because my ppd makes it hard to control my frustration/ feelings of failure. Any tips on helping my poor lil guy get better rest during the day?

In case it matters, I WFH so it can be me, DH, a grandma or our sitter trying to put him down.

TashnBabii

My son had the same issue! My husband and I got a fisher price cradle n swing for him, and he loves it! It works like a charm! As soon as we put him in it, he falls asleep within minutes! You can try using this, and slowly introduce the crib during nap time gradually.

Carnation77

Identify when he tends to get tired and try to incorporate naps at those times - on his schedule, not yours.  Incorporate quiet time for about 30 minutes just before then - either by going on a walk, turning off the tv, letting him play by himself in a playpen or on the floor, reading, etc; and make sure he has a clean diaper before he drifts off.  My son loves music and really calms down listening to classical music but each kid is different so try different things and see what works for yours.  Keep a consistent schedule (will require buy in from the rest of the house but it really really helps).  That means he eats, plays, is read to, listens to music, goes on walks at the same time every day.  In the meantime, let him sleep wherever he wants until you get him on a schedule.  After that happens then worry about transitioning to the crib.  White noise may help drown out daytime noises that could wake him. Good luck!

shannoncorrin

Waketimes are important. Make sure he goes before he is overtired

ahoffman31

We keep a consistent schedule and also use the mobile for naptime, as well as a small stuffed animal.  He only gets these two things for nap and then music on the CD player for night time. It seems to help him to tell the difference between nap and bedtime and this week (after about 4 wks) is the first time he has been napping for longer periods of time.  If he starts to fuss, I will go in and pat his bottom but not pick him up unless he is past the point of soothing himself.  Good luck

Videogamegirl86

How long do you let him cry? My little guy will cry for about 5-10 minutes after I put him down for his nap, then he will zonk out.