Teach me how to nap

BransonsBecca · July 2013

Ok, so L doesn't nap. She never did as a newborn and hardly ever does now. For those that have wonderful nappers, did you have to sleep train? I'll watch for her sleepy signs but it doesn't result in anything. I could work with her for an hour with no nap and eventually give in and put her in the car. CIO can't really happen because DH works nights and no matter what we do, he can still hear her back in the nursery. We have a nap "routine" but L fights sleep hard core.

She starts daycare in August, and I'm terrified that she won't nap there. I know that babies are different at places other than home but she has a tough time napping at my parents house as well. And to be honest, I'm tired of entertaining her all.day.long. So, nap train? Give her more "tired" time? Or continue burning through gas like I can afford it? What say you J12?

aylafsu88 · July 2013

emilypc:
lizwindersonRN:
When Anderson started fighting naps I came to the conclusion I couldn't take it anymore. But I will say it does involve tears for a few days. I found no way around it. I read sleep easy and was super nervous to do it. I posted here making sure I wasn't crazy for sleep training at naps. And I'm so glad I did it. I put him down for a nap about 2.5 to 3 hours after he wakes in the morning then again about 3 or so hours after he wakes. He takes naps at 10 and at 4. To bed at night at 8. He stays in bed a minimum of an hour each time. The first few days were awful and I questioned myself. Now I read him a book, give him a kiss, lay him down and he goes off to sleep or quietly plays in his crib til time is over. I plan on continuing this quiet time once a day well past napping age. I need it for my sanity.

Sorry to hijack your post OP, but I'm hoping someone can help us too! I feel like I've tried everything as well, and nothing works except driving or holding him and I need time to do other things on the weekend as well! I will say, though, that it's highly possible that daycare will get her on a nap routine pretty quickly once she starts. Cam sleeps great at DC - from 1pm-3pm every day with no fight. For me, nuthin.
PP, how long did you let Anderson cry for those first few days? I have left him for a long time, at least up to half an hour of pretty serious tears. Should I be leaving him longer than that? Did you? Is that the answer? It just seems like when he's that worked up, if he hasn't exhausted himself enough to sleep yet, he's not going to.

The Sleep easy book has a good section about naps. They say to leave them for 1 hour in the crib. Often parents get them to early and many times they will fall asleep around the 45-55 min mark. We have yet to try it because our schedules have been so hectic but this weekend we are finally nap training.

snickersforeveryone · July 2013

The only way we were able to "nap train" was to have DH take a long weekend off of work. So Thursday night through Monday night we totally dedicated to sleep training, both night time and nap. We asked that people not visit during that time so that we could stick firmly to a schedule, then followed Sleep Easy.

It sucked, but she took to it pretty quickly. I think she was really exhausted. Once she got the hang of things, we didn't feel the need to be as strict about a schedule. She's going through a bit of a regression right now, so I'm having to be a little firmer, but it's not as bad as when we first started.

I really hope you get her to nap...I can't imagine having to constantly entertain Em. You need some breaks!!

BransonsBecca · July 2013

She seems pretty content, for the most part. But she definitely gets the red eyes/sleepy look though. When we don't drive I usually rock her or just give her quiet time. A nap would be nice though so I can have some "me" time and find wherever I misplaced my sanity!

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