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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want my DD to nap in her cot

39 replies

Carolba · 28/01/2021 14:21

My DD is 7 months old and is an absolute pleasure. She has a brilliant routine and is a constantly happy smiley, like a dream. She sleeps in her cot at night from 7pm until 7am. She has about an hour nap in the morning and then a 2 hour nap in the afternoon from about 2 until 4 but she naps on me downstairs. I have tried a few times to get her to nap in her cot, especially for the 2 hour nap but even though I am still in the room with her holding her hand, rubbing her head etc she just screams. I have just tried again now and given up after 15 minutes, and we are back on the couch and she is asleep. It means now I can't move for 2 hours, can't do any odd jobs, make a drink, nip to the loo or even talk on the phone as it will wake her. I am also 7 weeks pregnant (so very excited :) ) and thinking that now would be a good time to really make an effort to get her to sleep in her cot so maybe I can grab half an hour (I would never sleep with her on me). I am also getting a bit uncomfortable as she is a lot heavier now and know that when our new arrival comes it will be impossible for her to slumber on me like she does. I don't think a sling would work either as my back is already hurting. AIBU in wanting her to have naps in her cot now? Or do I just leave well alone? Does anyone have any advise on how I can make that happen, without having her upset and crying? I have tried a little mini nap time routine with her (similar to bedtime) and she is not having any of it!

OP posts:
ThePricklySheep · 28/01/2021 16:14

I would not want to risk breaking the night time sleep.
Try the buggy idea. Have you got a rain cover? You can go out in the rain.

ThePricklySheep · 28/01/2021 16:15

Should add, obv undo it a bit once you’re back in the house.

AndcalloffChristmas · 28/01/2021 16:50

I think pram naps are a good way to go. Or would she go to sleep next to you in your bed? Then you could have a nap beside her.

Royalbloo · 28/01/2021 17:21

I used to leave mine in the pushchair or sometimes put her changing mat on the floor downstairs (somewhere safe so she can't fall off anything) and a little pillow and blanket and hold her hand until she went off to sleep.

Ahhh I miss that - she's 4 now!

Royalbloo · 28/01/2021 17:22

Oh yeah I'd just push the pushchair through the front door and leave her in it but loosen the straps and recline

Skyla2005 · 28/01/2021 17:24

I wouldn't worry about the day because she is doing so well at night you don't want to put her off the cot ! I used to take mine out in the buggy and park them in the hallway where they slept when we got back

Grandfather · 28/01/2021 17:27

You are painting a perfect image
No your not being unreasonable
your just struggling x

Grandfather · 28/01/2021 17:32

I say " just struggling" struggling is difficult its keeping your head above water
I know about that
No one wants to sink x

birdglasspen · 28/01/2021 17:32

If you leave her to cry it will probably be for once and after that she will nap and you can do the zillion of things you want to be doing and not worry about having another baby soon. No one likes to hear their baby cry, you could leave for 5, then 10...etc but really if you want the problem solved, leave her till she falls asleep. Go somewhere you can't hear her. I am a very loving, caring mum who gives my kids everything but I'd draw the line at entertaining, feeding, changing nappies all day to then have to lie under a sleeping baby for 3 hours a day! Seriously how are you meant to make dinner, prep baby meals, have a shower, clean your house, etc etc. Babies can happily sleep alone in a cot.....they are asleep they don't know you aren't there! The first time will be the worse and it will only get harder the longer you leave it!

Grandfather · 28/01/2021 17:56

I will never leave her to cry
I hear the cry
I have travelled to places where the cry is high
Help pure help is seldom
Do you help or do you condenm

Grandfather · 28/01/2021 18:01

Who are you ?

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2021 18:57

Go somewhere you can't hear her.

If DD cried anywhere in my house I would jerk awake, even if I couldn't consciously hear her (say if DH was watching her).

Leaving your child to cry for 'as long as it takes' is abusive. And I had one that slept poorly for two years.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 28/01/2021 19:10

I did a combination of on me on the sofa and pushchair. Being able to nap in the pushchair was ideal as wherever she was there would be a pushchair (home/grandparents/childminders) so after lunch you could put her reclined in any pushchair with a blanket on and she knew that meant nap time. But I must say I loved the cuddles and the excuse that I needed a 2 hour lie down each afternoon with a cup of tea and the tv remote to hand! She’s pretty much stopped napping now and I miss our siestas Sad

onlyjustme · 28/01/2021 20:08

I never used the cot for day sleeps. Only for night for the "big sleep".
I had a travel cot used as a playpen or left them where they nodded off. (Unless it was in the car... except that one time I forgot, got home, put the shopping away, made a cup of tea, sat down and then remembered!!! This was my SECOND child too!!! - it was only 5 minutes, not a hot day, he didn't even notice but clearly I have guilt)
Anyway daytime naps were in any old random place. Pushchair, sofa, etc. Sometimes DS would climb in the pushchair himself for a nap!!!

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