Co Sleeping and Napping and impact on bedtime

[Nousha]

Hi Everyone…. really need some advice

DS will be 6 months tomorrow and since about 4 months we've been co-sleeping for naps and if he wakes up before 6 am but bedtime has always been in his cot..

his bedtime routine is bath, feed, cuddle and put him in his cot awake and help him to sleep by patting his chest while sshhing.

he doesn't know how to self sooth yet

Here are my issues:

1. co-sleeping for naps is now impacting his bedtime and it takes anywhere between 20 to 40 mins to get him to sleep for bedtime. while its been tough, in getting him to sleep, we've been strict about bedtime in his cot.
   
   
2. I would like to transition him away from co-sleeping for naps but don't know how to do so....im due to go back to work in about a month so would like to be able to put him to sleep in his cot for naps.
   
   
3. how do I teach little man to self sooth?
   
   Also -- Am I a bad mother for co sleeping naps and not teaching him to self sooth till now?
   
   Help!!!

[FATEdestiny]

A gentle middle ground would be to move daytime naps into the pram/pushchair. Movement helps sleep. Your childcare once back at work could continue this.

[jollyho]

Do whatever works for you, in my experience even babies who co sleep will learn to nap in a cot or whatever at nursery. Mine still co sleeps at 2.5 but has never had a problem sleeping at nursery and went from 9 months.

But if you really want to change his naps I’d go for the above advice and do a pram nap first.

Also your nursery won’t be surprised if it takes 40+ mins for little one to fall asleep.