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Thoughts on how to get DD to nap when I'm not home??

Louis LouboutainLouis Louboutain
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Louis Loub...
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Louis Louboutain is online. Last active: 01-07-2011, 10:42 PMNewbie
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Hi Ladies

I'm back to work :(...and my hubby is home with DD for the time being. The problem is: she won't take nap for anyone other than me (which is usually about 2 hours in the morning and afternoon on days when I'm home).

He has physicial limitations so she's exhausting him by the end of the day(actually by mid-morning, but he hangs in there with here until I get home...and I'm doing everything I can to rush to get here, but my company re-organized and I have a new boss as of this week, so he's not as understanding of why I'm always bolting out the door).  When I walk in the door, she's so tired she falls asleep the second I pick her up and then remains asleep for hours  in my arms( ...and I'd love to keep it that way as my preference would be to stay home with her...but I have to take care of the house, cook, bills, etc, because of hubby's condition, so I need to put here down...cycle continues...she wakes up immediately and exhaustion sets in again...)

It's just the 2 of us...No family, no decent Daycare facility near us and we haven't had any luck with someone coming to the house to watch her (everyone seems to want to make their own schedule as opposed to accomodating ours)...in short, we have to make it work with one of us being @ home....for now it's Daddy!

 Any thoughts on what he could do to get her to go to sleep? ( Oh and putting her in her crib and walking away doesn't work...she'll stay playing for 2 hours, but won't close her eyes...and the pediatrician has no suggestions)

I know this sounds as though I'm complaining....which is truly not my intention...just need help before I get so tired I can't take care of either one of them. Anyone have thoughts on what could be done, please??

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Re: Thoughts on how to get DD to nap when I'm not home??

  • IlumineIlumine member

    How old is DD and how long have you been back to work? 

     

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  • Louis LouboutainLouis Louboutain

    Hi - thanks for youre response

    She's 5 months old and I've been back for a month.

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  • jarbatzjarbatz member

    I am surprised she will play that long in her crib w/o just eventually falling asleep or crying.   Is her room dark & quiet?  If not, I highly recommend room darkening shades....and a white noise machine.  Also - if you haven't already established a bedtime "routine", start now and do the same thing at bedtime and nap time (minus a bath if you do a bath at bedtime).  Our routine is always read books, room is dark, sound machine and that's it. 

    Also - be aware of her "wakeful period"...at 5 months, babies have a wakeful period of 2 hours tops.  Usually less than that between when they wake up and their first nap.  So if she's getting up at 7, she should be ready for her first nap at 8:30.  And then after that, its 2 hours (or less for some) between naps.   Look for her cues - yawning, rubbing eyes, getting fussy...and try to get her down before it gets to that point. 

    If he's waiting to long to put her down, she's getting overtired and at that point, its hard for them to settle themselves. 

    GL!

    If you go to www.babysleepsite.com there is free downlable guide on napping.  I found it very helpful!

    Me-38, DH - 48 | DD born 3/17/10 | BFP 4/29/11 - M/C 5/31/11 Blighted Ovum | BFP 12/18/11 CP - 12/27/11 | Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • Louis LouboutainLouis Louboutain

    Thanks so much...her room does get light in the morning/afternoon so the dark shades are an excellent suggestion (she seemed to really enjoy the light in the morning when she was first born, so we didn't put in darker shades).

    I wasn't aware of the 'wakeful period'.(nor did our Ped mention it when we asked why she always seemed tired shortly after she woke up)..she's been rubbing her eyes a lot recently, and while I am usually sucessful at getting her to take a nap, when I'm not there she stays up (despite exhaustion...)...I will absolutely go to the suggested site...hopefully that will aid DH in getting her to sleep for a few hours while I'm out of the house.

    Thanks again 

     

     

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