DS is 8 months old and until the last week has NEVER napped in his cot. He has always resisted naps and I have spent the last 8 months trying to get him to nap by rocking him with the extractor fan while he arches his back and cries til he goes to sleep.
Strange as he settles relatively easy at night and sleeps for around 11 hours with no wakings.
I have tried shortening the lenght of time he is awake for and putting him down for a nap earlier incase he was over tired. Made no difference.
However, last week I decided that ds is just too big (23lbs 6oz) to be rocking him to sleep whilst he writhes about and tries to get free. My back was killing me as he is very demanding and requires a lot of carrying around anyway. I put him in his cot in his room and decided to leave him to cry for a bit. I fully intended to go rescue him if he cried for more than 5 minutes. He didn't. Within 5 mins he was asleep and napped better than ever. Also no I have the time without him napping in my arms to do something useful! I have continued to put him in his cot for naps (unless going out in the car).
However, he still cries when I first put him down. I thought he would have hopefully learned not to cry. I feel awful leaving him, even though it's only for around 5 mins. He has never been left to cry before and I worry I maybe damaging him! Am I being cruel or am I totally overreacting?! The problem is, if I stay in the room to reassure him, it seems to frustrate him even more and he cries for longer as he can see me yet I'm not picking him up.
Do you think he will learn to settle himself without crying or am I screwing him up??
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Behaviour/development
Am I being cruel regarding ds naps??
28 replies
Meandmyjoe · 07/04/2008 19:14
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