Napping in Crib instead of Carseat

Alexames

So when LO is in her crib for a nap, she only goes down for maybe 15-30 minutes, but if she's in the carseat, she can go up to 2hrs from time to time. Any advice on how to get a 12 week old to nap longer in her crib? Thanks.

mben1119

Have you tried swaddling?  Or how about letting her nap in her swing?

JaZavitz

This is exactly the situation I am in with my DS and his swing rather than carseat. He would sleep in his swing for a couple hours but wakes after 10 minutes in his crib for day time naps (he sleeps all night in his crib).
I struggled with this for months and all of a sudden yesterday (at 5 months old) he deciede to nap fine in his crib... and again today. I think he just liked feeling cuddled  (but he hated being swaddled) when he was little and is just at the time to change now. Good Luck!!

Alexames

LO doesn't like swing.  And we only swaddle at night.  She's starting daycare soon, I am hoping she can nap better in the crib soon bc I highly doubt daycare would allow her to nap in her carseat. :T

Alexames

JaZavitz:

This is exactly the situation I am in with my DS and his swing rather than carseat. He would sleep in his swing for a couple hours but wakes after 10 minutes in his crib for day time naps (he sleeps all night in his crib).
I struggled with this for months and all of a sudden yesterday (at 5 months old) he deciede to nap fine in his crib... and again today. I think he just liked feeling cuddled  (but he hated being swaddled) when he was little and is just at the time to change now. Good Luck!!

I hope in time, My LO will nap better in her crib like yours.  Thank you for sharing your story, it gives me hope.  We only swaddle at night and my LO tend to lift her legs up and then bang it on the bed or floor when sleeping and playing, so it totally wakes her up and scares herself.  Grr..

kross605

I think it will happen over time. Daycare started putting LO in a crib after she was there for about a month and her nap times are getting longer and longer, but at first it was barely a half hour when she would sleep in the swing for at least 2 hours. They try to get her in the crib for a couple naps and then let her nap in the swing once to make sure shes getting one good nap at least.

A suggestion to help you, maybe.....put a rolled up blanket/towel under baby's rump and/or along LOs sides (U shape) to make them feel like they are being held. It also helps to reduce creeping if you have an incline wedge in your crib or a baby that turns themselves into odd positions at night.

kross605

Also, I know this is weird, but many people I know who had chronic carseat sleepers actually put the carseat in the crib for naps so the baby gets used to being in that place when they wake up which helps with the transition. If its only for naps you can check in frequently to make sure theres no monkey business going on with the carseat.

Alexames

Thank you, Ladies.  I'll give it all a try.  LO do sleep in her crib at night.  And hopefully, the daycare professionals can also help with the transition.

Alexames

kbruington:

At that age, sleeping in the carseat won't harm her. You pretty much let them sleep wherever they will sleep the longest! I used to do the same thing and I still do when my LO is sound asleep in the car! lol

 

Good to know. I'm a first time mom, so I'm sure I'm hypersensitive.

 

kateraid

Sleeping in a car seat is actually bad for LOs posture and breathing. They are safe for car travel but the position they sit in isn't recommended for long stretches of time.