Has anyone began doing scheduled nap times? We have already established a good bedtime and nightly routine, but now I want to try and get LO set on a nap time. He likes to sleep most of the morning but come afternoon he's fighting sleep so much and so hard he's very fussy. What have you ladies done to get your LO to nap? Do you have a set time yet? What are your routines?
Re: Scheduled nap time?
No matter what time naps, I get her wrapped in one of her fuzzy blankets, wubbanub, white noise, and rock in her room. Once she's almost asleep I lay her in the rock and play and she falls asleep to the sound of the white noise. I have done nothing special to get her to the drowsy but awake point, during the day she just has a preference to not be held that long before naps.
Eta: To add in routines
But I agree with earlier posts. I put my son down when I see his tired signals. Usually that's after about 90 minutes. If he has a two hour wake period he is a hot mess. My mom is all like he needs to get on a schedule, but for now a bed time routine that starts at 7:30 is all the schedule we need.
It took me a while watching my baby's sleep cues to figure out her optimal wake time. She doesn't need as much wake time in the morning and those naps are longer, and I find more important. If there's an interruption, afternoon is more flexible bc I've learned she can handle longer wake times before she gets fussy. We've been consistent tho so even if we are out she will nap on schedule.
Many will tell you schedules aren't ideal until 3 months but we've had great success- baby is happy, sleeps great, and I have a good idea of how my day will go so I'm free to schedule things during her naps. Im aware her sleep habits may change as she gets older but so far, I'm very happy with her schedule!