Napping in crib

MOORENOLES · September 2009

DS sleeps well in the crib at night but does not like it for naps during the day. I put him down in it when he is getting real sleepy and like 5 min. later he is screaming to get out...I rock him a little until he gets sleepy again and try to put him down again and 5 min. later he is screaming again. The only place he will sleep is in his car seat or swing. He can sleep in the car seat for like 2-3 hours at a time. It's the only place I can put him so I can get some things done around the house. He will also sleep on my chest but I try not to do that too often. Anyone else experience this? Am I starting a bad habit?

mattswife91805 · September 2009

Makayla would only nap in her car seat at that age to. I just left her sleep in it, and around 2-3 months I started putting her in her crib and soothed her while she was laying down (rubbing her face, playing music, whitenoise machine, sshhing).

rlthomas7 · September 2009

Adam was a horrible napper and he would only sleep in his swing for about 6 months. We even rented one when we went on vacation at 7 months, just in case - and we needed it.

Eventually he slept in his crib just fine.

Christina617 · September 2009

Ethan napped in his swing until he was 5 months old. He napped for 2-3 hour stretches in it too. There were times when he would let out a sigh of relief when I put him in it so I figured that is what we both needed at the time. I also worried about creating a habit but he transitioned to the crib just fine. At first his naps in the crib were only 30 min but eventually he lengthened them to 1.5 hours.
I felt like I was never getting anything done when I let him nap on me but to be honest, I am so glad that I had those times with him.

mrs.mickulz · September 2009

I've read from several sources that they won't start to develop habits until after 6 months. I think it's probably more important that he (and you) get the rest you need at this point, so the swing or car seat is a good alternative.

Emmy323 · September 2009

Brynne didn't nap in her crib until about three months. Prior to the transition, she napped in her swing and on me. I started to transition her to her crib at three months to prepare for my return to work. I knew she wouldn't be able to nap on her babysitter all day! Keaton is still pretty young. I'd definitely do what works to keep you all sane for now!

KellyND04 · September 2009

From my own experience, I agree with whoever said not to worry about forming habits that early. Honestly, nothing really become too entrenched with Susanna until after 8 months or so (except for her preference for breast over bottle...she took a bottle, but would hold out as long as she could for me to come home!). She definitely napped only on us or in the swing...but mostly on us, until maybe 3 months or longer. She would always startle awake if I laid her down, even with swaddling and white noise.

I agree with Christina...I wouldn't give up those naps on my chest for anything in the world, even though I never got anything else done during them. I miss those precious moments. This morning out of the blue she cuddled on my lap while watching TV for an hour. I let her keep watching so I could enjoy the sweetness of her head on my chest again!

Trust your gut. If you don't feel like he's ready or able to nap on his own, don't beat yourself up about it. He will be ready in a few weeks or months. When that time comes, you and Eric will be able to help him use his growing maturity to learn to sleep in his crib for naps. And you'll rediscover your freedom little by little.

Want a personalized experience?

Napping in crib

Re: Napping in crib

Choose Another Board

Search Boards