When to put a baby down for a nap?

[Missylissy]

Hi - can anyone give me some advice? My DD is 9 weeks old, and I am trying to get the hang of day time naps.

Do I put her down when she has yawned a couple of times, in whicch case she lies awake (quite happily) for 10 - 15 mins aand then drops off to sleep

or

Do I wait until she is clearly tired (crying) in which case I hold her until she is calm and pop her down to sleep in which case she often goes to sleep more quickly?

I am trying to follow a 3 hour routine, and am worried that she is not getting enough time awake and active if I put her down as soon as she starts yawning..

Any advice much appreciated!!

[reikizen]

Firstly, relax! Not sure whether there are any hard and fast rules about 9 week old babies being 'awake and active' so don't worry about that, the thought never entered my head. I'm afraid I was more of the why don't they spend more time asleep and passive school myself!
It is going to sound blindingly obvious but just do what you and her enjoy the most, and don't worry if it changes from time to time. Sometimes you can pop her down while you get on and see if she falls asleep and sometimes cuddle her to sleep (and don't even put her down if you want to keep cuddling her - now there is a radical thought!)
Also, I have personally come to the conclusion that any routine based on time is the way to madness for mums of tiny babies. There is plenty of time for that when they are 5 and they are daydreaming in front of the mirror naked at quarter to 9!
You are doing a better job than you realise, we all do things differently and don't let any book or 'expert' who has a vested interest in making you feel useless (otherwise how would they make a living?) tell you otherwise.

[BornToVote]

A 9 week old that can put themselves to sleep like that is something to be cherished, even if it takes 15 mins! Honestly, don't worry about it. Even lying awake in a cot is interesting to one that little.