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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:
Lmnop22 · 01/07/2025 21:14

Agut · 01/07/2025 20:32

@Lmnop22 love the blanket trick 🙂

Really hope it works for you or you find something that does - just having your arms back is such a relief in those early months!

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 01/07/2025 20:34

What happens if you put her in her cot?
None of my babies slept on me, they all went down in their cots.

Agut · 01/07/2025 20:32

@Lmnop22 love the blanket trick 🙂

OP posts:
Agut · 01/07/2025 20:31

She didn't seem to take to the sling. I think it because she likes to adjust and change her position when she sleeps on me - has got her own ways 🙂 but we may try again. Maybe she'll change her mind

OP posts:
dragonfliesanddandelions · 01/07/2025 17:47

Totally normal. My babies both pretty much lived in slings for the first few months of their lives.

Please ignore anyone telling you to put her to sleep in a swing or bouncy chair. They are not safe for sleeping.

CoffeeBreak8 · 01/07/2025 17:42

I used slings… find one that is comfortable. Even as toddlers they’d love the sling, I used to do a lot of housework with them on my front and later on my back… silver lining is that it’s a free workout 😅😆
Swaddling also helped, but maybe not in this heat 🥵
Edit - also electric rocking chair… might find a cheap one on marketplace?

Groundhogday2025 · 01/07/2025 17:39

Absolutely normal. Baby has spent 9 months rocking and swaying in your body. Staying still is an unfamiliar feeling that makes them feel unsafe. It does change as they get older (no adults need rocking to sleep remember!) but don’t try to fight it, just hold her and be there for her. I recommend a sling. My daughter was never happier than being carried everywhere with me.

Bitzee · 01/07/2025 17:38

Totally normal. When I lived in a walk up apartment I spent a lot of nap times in coffee shops after DD fell asleep on our pram walks. If she likes movement I would maybe try a moses basket on a rocker to mimic the movement or a bouncer.

Lmnop22 · 01/07/2025 17:37

I got one of those chair swing things that move around on their own and I could, occasionally, get my DD to sleep in that. Or I would get her to sleep in my arms but with a bunched up blanket under her in my arms then try and slide the blanket into her cot without changing the shape.

But actually, until 6 months, she basically just slept on me 🫣 so at least you’re not alone. It goes so fast and I can barely get a cuddle now she’s 17 months!

caffelattetogo · 01/07/2025 17:36

Some babies are just that way - we did a lot with a sling in those early months.

Mrsttcno1 · 01/07/2025 17:35

No tips just that this is totally normal, she is tiny still. Look into the fourth trimester, she still needs her mum x