Is letting 5mo dd have daytime naps in pram going to lead to problems?

[WhoahThere]

She goes down for naps very well in her cot but then only sleeps for about 45 mins and I think she needs longer.

If I put her in the pram and walk, she's asleep within about 10 paces and can then be parked up in the garden, sleeps for double the time and wakes up in a much better mood! I'm not too concerned now, but am I setting myself up for future problems? I'm specifically thinking about when I go back to work and she has to go to nursery/childminder (not decided yet) although this us another 5ish months away yet.

Any wisdom welcome.

[pozzled]

At this stage I would go with what works for you. My DD was the same, always slept better when out and about. We did have to make a bit of an effort to get her sleeping in her cot before she started nursery, but it wasn't too hard. And in your case you say she goes down well in her cot anyway. All I'd say is to make sure that she still has her nap in her cot sometimes, so that she stays used to it and you have a bit more flexibility.

[Poledra]

Not in my experience. I always put mine down for their daytime naps in the pram, as I wasn't dragging upstairs with them when there was a nice comfy pram just sitting there. Plus, as you say, the movement of the pram can get them off to sleep and keep them snoozing happily for longer.

My oldest went to a CM at 9 months, and the CM was quite happy to put her to sleep in the pram if that was what the baby wanted. As it happened, DD was fine going into a travel cot at the CM for her naps (or dropping off in the pram when the Cm was out and about).

I personally preferred not to have my babies 'tied' to their cot for naps, as it made them more flexible if they were used to dropping off in their pram/car seat/wherever we were at the appropriate time. And think of all the lovely fresh air she's getting, sleeping in the garden.

[RitaMorgan]

Mine used to do the same - 45 minute naps - and I would also do at least one pram/sling nap a day to ensure he slept longer.

At 7 months he suddenly started sleeping for 2 hours at a time in his cot - I think it was once he could roll onto his tummy and make himself comfy. He started nursery at 7 months too and slept fine in the cots there, his keyworker just cuddled him to sleep.

[WhoahThere]

Brilliant, thanks for the replies! She's napping now (in the pram) and has been down for an hour with no sign of movement. Great to get the experienced perspective on things...

[AngelDog]

DS started spontaneously doing longer naps at about 14 months. Before that he'd sleep in his cot, but needed resettling (usually bf) at the end of every sleep cycle.

I'd do whatever it takes to get the longest naps possible. A child who only sleeps in a pram is a better 'problem' than a child who is always sleep deprived from too-short naps.