Sleep associations - Am I setting myself up?

WalteRose

My LO takes 4-5 short naps a day and he can only sleep if I carry him in my Beco (I can put him down once he's in a deep sleep).  The only exception of this is if he happens to fall asleep while nursing.  I'm concerned about having to carry him in the Beco to sleep.  We started using the Beco to put him to sleep because he was getting too heavy to rock upright for long, but now he won't sleep if we rock him upright without it.  

My friend who has a few kids warned me that whatever method I start now will continue until even when he's a toddler.  I can't imagine having to rock him in a carrier that long.  Anyone have any experience with this?  

 

tokenhoser

How old is your baby?

I would say that sleep associations don't count for the first 4-6 months. It's really easy to change things if you do it around 6 months. I was carrying my baby for lots of naps when he was little, and I do it for zero now. He prefers his crib. 

kcisthebombdotcom

My DD napped in an ergo or bedshared for many months. Just this week, we started lying her down in her crib to go to sleep. She sleeps just fine in there.

WalteRose

Thanks for your responses... I'm relieved to hear it.  My son is 3-1/2 months old.  I'm rocking him in my Beco as I type this.

nosoup4u

I think I started nursing and rocking DS2 and then putting him in the crib for naps when he was about 4 months old? I wore him for most of his naps up to that point. I think I switched bc he wasn't able to fall asleep in the Beco as easily (can you tell I've had more than one kid? hee).

Anyhoo, it took a few weeks of him getting used to snoozing in the crib - he'd wake up after a bit, but I'd nurse him and put him back, and eventually he started taking decent naps in it. If it bothers you that you're wearing him for naps, you could always attempt it and see what happens. 

We would switch my first son's sleep routines around a lot during the first year - things would stop working, so we'd try a new strategy. He's now almost four, and can fall asleep on his own without rocking, nursing, baby wearing or singing. It'll be okay!!

WildcatPrincess

I held my daughter for naps until she was 8 months old - a mix of I wanted to and it was easier (ie: she slept 3 hours vs 45 mins). When it got uncomfortable and I started to tire of it I switched up routine and she transitioned to crib naps like it was nothing, keeping the 3 hour length! If it works for you now, don't stress.