6 month old won’t nap in cot. Help!

[Libydy]

I’ll get it out there and start by saying I know I’ve made a rod for my own back and should have done it sooner but would appreciate any advice or support with what to do moving forward.

My baby is 6 months old and sleeps as well as babies sleep throughout the night in her cot. However, we usually put her down asleep as she has up until recent weaning had bad reflux so she falls to sleep with her bedtime feed and we have had to keep her upright for a while on us. Whilst I know we need to get her to the point of getting her to fall asleep on her own in her cot this isn’t the main problem. During the day, from birth she has always napped on us which was very nice for all involved but doing nobody any favours. Therefore 2 days ago we decided it’s time to get her to nap in her own cot for one nap a day building up to all naps. First nap I got her to sleep and put her in the cot. She initially stirred but admittedly I did pick her up a couple of times before she slept soundly for half an hour. She would usually have around 90 mins but half an hour was fine to say it was first time napping in the cot. Yesterday however was a no go, tried all afternoon to get her down to sleep (about 3.5 hours) with lots of tears and less picking her up. There came a point where I said to myself this isn’t working and just got her out, at that point had she have fallen asleep on me I would have let her but it was like she was now scared to sleep because she was worried I would put her back in the cot. So, my plan this afternoon is to persist for 90 mins and if she doesn’t do it call it a day and try again tomorrow. Does this sound like a good idea? Any advice, support, hints or tips welcome 🙏 thank you x

[Eggcellent29]

Hi!

I had the same problem. My son slept on me for every day nap until he was 6 months old.

We have a basic nap routine of

Sleep bag, dummy, curtains closed, he plays in cot with comforter whilst I make a bottle, cuddle and then into the cot, I sit there for 10 mins and then go.

It works most of the time.

I just started doing it one day. I found it easier to just be like that rather than building up to it etc. Plus it’s eaiser for him to understand that all naps are now this way, rather than some are and some aren’t.

If he does wake, I try for five mins to put him back down and if that fails he gets up. I honestly don’t see the point in fighting him. Sometimes he’s only up for an hour before he crashes, but over time he’s doing this less and seems to be learning that it’s better to just go back to sleep 😂

What does your nap routine look like?

[Libydy]

Aww thank you that’s so reassuring! Can I ask how old your son is now? I’ve just managed to put her down in her cot for afternoon nap, I’m in the room with her and she has stirred a few times but a hand on her has helped settle her back after a few mins. Usually she has a nap around 9 and then up to 2 1/2 hours in afternoon. This morning I let her sleep on me. I did think I might be sending her mixed signals and you might be right to do all the naps at once. I’ll have to see how it goes. Thank you so much though, nice to know I’m not the only one! 😂👊 x

[Albgo]

I hate expressions like "rod for your own back" when it comes to babies. There's no such thing in my opinion, but then I'm currently in bed with my 10 month old napping on me. He's not going to want this sort of closeness forever and I'm going to make the most of it.

[shreddednips]

I think this is so common. My son always napped in a baby box downstairs when he was small and then in his cot at six months, hardly ever on me, but we still had problems with him resisting going to sleep in his cot at the same age. So I don't think you've made a rod for your own back, it's just babies being babies.

What you're doing sounds just right. When he became unwilling to go to sleep in the cot, I did exactly what you're doing and stayed with him while he nodded off until he was happy to do it, picking him up if he got upset and then trying again. Then I started leaving him to fall asleep on his own. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. But eventually your little one will learn. It's really hard work but sounds like you're doing great

[Libydy]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I did have to ask myself yesterday who I was trying to put her in the cot for - me, her or all the people who were telling me she shouldn’t be sleeping on us still. Once I realised for me it was more about allowing he to be able to self soothe herself to sleep it made it feel easier than because we were being judged 😂 enjoy the cuddles albgo. They’re the best!

[SABDELLAHI]

Hi ,

My 7 month old is rejected his milk. As soon as he sees his milk bottle he starts to cry. I try every few hours to give him milk but he just won't have any. I am stressing out with worry. I have tried a size up teats.

Am I trying to wean him since he was 6 months old but he isn't taking it well. He will pick the food up and chew on it but can't seem to swallow it .

Has anyone experienced this?

What can I do?

[SABDELLAHI]

Omg I'm so sorry I posted that on your chat. How do i delete or