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Original poster

2 month old only napping when held

36 replies

Agut · 01/07/2025 17:34

Hi All,

Wonder if anyone has similar experiences or any advise. My 2 month old only naps either when held or on a walk in her buggy. Loving the contact naps but would love for her to have at least one good nap in her cot during the day. We live on the first floor and her buggy stays downstairs so can't really use it to rock her to sleep. She's generally really hard to put to sleep during the day (lots of rocking and swaying in the dark room with white noise) and sometimes skips naps and is dead tired afterwards which makes it even harder for her to fall asleep. I tried to put her away when drowsy but I think it's too early for that - she starts flailing and jerking and does not settle. She sleeps better at night. still wakes up three times but at least goes down easily and mainly stays in her side sleeper. I want to gently make her used to sleeping in it during the day but all my attempts are failing. Any tips are welcome!

OP posts:
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FTMbg · 02/07/2025 11:50

i did similar to blanket idea above but on a pillow to enable handover to any other willing holders once asleep. Another option ( if you don’t have pets) is to cuddle them to sleep on a travel cot mattress on the floor then roll away once they’re sleeping.

Denimrules · 02/07/2025 10:57

At that age they don't really have a nap schedule so I recall a lot of naps were contact naps. I was taking DS out for walks a lot between feeds and he often slept in the pram. It was approaching Christmas and I don't think he was awake for any of the shopping trips I went on by foot.

CommissarySushi · 02/07/2025 10:56

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 02/07/2025 10:47

You must be firm and just do it.

Show quote history

Why? Some babies just don't like to be swaddled. Mine didn't either.

DiscoPig · 02/07/2025 10:53

Agut · 02/07/2025 04:55

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne Really want to swddle and planned to before she arrived but she hated it. She is very 'handsy'. From earliest on she'd be putting her hands to face, pressing gently on my breast when feeding or resting on them when in my arms. She does not like to be constricted in any way

It just doesn't suit some babies. DS broke free like Houdini from every swaddle.

I'd just go with the contact naps for now.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 02/07/2025 10:47

Agut · 02/07/2025 04:55

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne Really want to swddle and planned to before she arrived but she hated it. She is very 'handsy'. From earliest on she'd be putting her hands to face, pressing gently on my breast when feeding or resting on them when in my arms. She does not like to be constricted in any way

You must be firm and just do it.

CoffeeBreak8 · 02/07/2025 09:06

Agut · 01/07/2025 21:43

@CoffeeBreak8 @Groundhogday2025 @dragonfliesanddandelions Can you recommend any good slings/ carrier. I tried a traditional wrap but I think she felt a bit constricted in it and a chicco carrier - same problem (she doesn't know how to adjust to get herself comfortable plus it's a bit thick). Thought of buying Ergobaby embrace but it's so pricey..

We used Baby Bjorn as the first sling. Then moved onto Tula as they got heavier. Definitely get yourself to a sling library if you have one close by, health visitor should point you in the right direction.

Paaseitjes · 02/07/2025 07:51

Mine has just started to nap in his basket at about 3 months. Bouncing on the yoga ball helped to get past the crocodile eyes only mostly asleep stage so he can be put down. He didn't like the sling until we change to kangaroo tie. He hated koala because he couldn't get his arms out and his head wasn't supported enough without getting too warm. His pram is too warm for napping at the moment. Hopefully it will come with time!

Bogfrog · 02/07/2025 05:08

i found routine and a dummy equaled excellent cot naps for my two. Good luck.

Original poster
Agut · 02/07/2025 04:55

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne Really want to swddle and planned to before she arrived but she hated it. She is very 'handsy'. From earliest on she'd be putting her hands to face, pressing gently on my breast when feeding or resting on them when in my arms. She does not like to be constricted in any way

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 01/07/2025 23:26

Agut · 01/07/2025 21:50

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne if I put her awake but drowsy she will just start flailing her arms and bringing them to her face trying to self soothe but it's very frantic. And kicking her legs, sort of like an exaggerated moro reflex. I try to settle her put my hand on her chest but even if she goes down it lasts only but few minutes and then she starts again. Same if I put her down asleep - she almost always will wake up very shortly. With exception for the nights when she gets it that she sleeps in the cot

Can you swaddle her with her arms in, nice and tight?

Icanttakethisanymore · 01/07/2025 22:29

Neither of my children ever had a single nap in their cots. Zero 😂

Original poster
Agut · 01/07/2025 21:58

Thanks for the tip on the sling library - seriously had no idea such places existed 😂 will defo check it out before I spend any money @darlingsweetpea @Groundhogday2025

OP posts:
Loonch · 01/07/2025 21:58

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 01/07/2025 21:16

I don't think I ever tried to put my second baby in her cot for a nap during the day.

I got so stressed trying to force my first baby to nap in his cot and it just wasn't worth it.

Same!! I caused myself and my first baby so much stress about bloody naps!

Fast forward to baby three - 12 weeks old and has had 95% of all naps ever in the sling. Sleeps for hours in there. It’s like an off switch as soon as he’s pouched up and comfy. And means my hands are free to deal with the older ones.

(I’m looking forward to some cooler weather, though!)

Original poster
Agut · 01/07/2025 21:53

@Merrowthanks so much, I will defo look it up. Very reassuring that ppl have similar issues. Seems like the sling is the key. We both just need to find the one we like

OP posts:
Groundhogday2025 · 01/07/2025 21:51

Agut · 01/07/2025 21:43

@CoffeeBreak8 @Groundhogday2025 @dragonfliesanddandelions Can you recommend any good slings/ carrier. I tried a traditional wrap but I think she felt a bit constricted in it and a chicco carrier - same problem (she doesn't know how to adjust to get herself comfortable plus it's a bit thick). Thought of buying Ergobaby embrace but it's so pricey..

I would really recommend you try some at your local sling library. Slings are such a personal preference and fit each body differently.
The first time I tried the stretchy wrap DD seemed not to like it. I tried again a few weeks later and she loved it. I think it’s practice and getting the baby to fit comfortably.
I then moved on to the ergo baby embrace, which I LOVED and am super excited to use with baby number 2. Then I had a beco Gemini and a toddler carrier. Also tried to Tula Free to Grow but I didn’t personally rate it. I found it too bulky and tricky (prefer a cross shoulder than a backpack style personally). I honestly wouldn’t invest in one until you’ve tried it properly though. It has to be right for you.
You can also look on babywearing UK group on Facebook. You can get loads of advice on correct baby wearing from there.

CheeseWisely · 01/07/2025 21:50

Good luck to you but our DS was about 10 months before he’d accept a daytime nap for longer than 20 minutes in his cot. Light at the end of the tunnel though, he’s 13 months now and slept over 2 hours in his cot this afternoon.

Original poster
Agut · 01/07/2025 21:50

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne if I put her awake but drowsy she will just start flailing her arms and bringing them to her face trying to self soothe but it's very frantic. And kicking her legs, sort of like an exaggerated moro reflex. I try to settle her put my hand on her chest but even if she goes down it lasts only but few minutes and then she starts again. Same if I put her down asleep - she almost always will wake up very shortly. With exception for the nights when she gets it that she sleeps in the cot

OP posts:
darlingsweetpea · 01/07/2025 21:49

@Agut I loved my sling, it was so comfy. I'd find where your local sling library is and go from there. Where I live we have a lady who offers free drop in appointments, and paid 1-1 appointments where you try on a range. It was so helpful.

Enjoy the snuggles and for what its worth, my second never had a daytime nap in his cot.

OneKookyPinkShaker · 01/07/2025 21:46

Do you have a sling library near you? The one near me let's you try out lots of different ones to find one that suits you before you buy one

Merrow · 01/07/2025 21:43

DS1 napped in the cot, with protests, at 6 months. DS2... well, he's a bad sleeper in all the ways! I echo all the comments about the sling, and it's really worth going to a sling library to make sure you're both comfortable with the one you have. I also had a fully supplied snack and water set up and enjoyed binging on bad TV and playing computer games (before DS2 got big enough that he was in the way of the controls!)

Edited to add: just seen your latest post and I loved the mamaruga zensling. But definitely worth getting some advice on fit whatever you go for, it was a much snugger set up than I anticipated.

Original poster
Agut · 01/07/2025 21:43

@CoffeeBreak8 @Groundhogday2025 @dragonfliesanddandelions Can you recommend any good slings/ carrier. I tried a traditional wrap but I think she felt a bit constricted in it and a chicco carrier - same problem (she doesn't know how to adjust to get herself comfortable plus it's a bit thick). Thought of buying Ergobaby embrace but it's so pricey..

OP posts:
Original poster
Agut · 01/07/2025 21:38

@MissScarletInTheBallroom Yes, I know. I defo don't want to push it but would be nice to reclaim a bit of time during the day. Saying that, these are massively precious moments when shes drunk on milk and passed out on me. Defo not ready to let that go completely

OP posts:
Allswellthatendswelll · 01/07/2025 21:38

It's normal and it won't be forever so just lean into it.

EmBear91 · 01/07/2025 21:17

No advice really but as echoed by many others, it’s super normal & developmentally appropriate. My daughter contact napped until she was about 9 months old & then gradually transitioned to cot naps. It will come!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 01/07/2025 21:16

I don't think I ever tried to put my second baby in her cot for a nap during the day.

I got so stressed trying to force my first baby to nap in his cot and it just wasn't worth it.