WIBU to ask how to get baby to transition from contact naps to cot?

[Needtimeandspace]

Please, no judgements! I have a baby who had terrible reflux and would not lie on her back at all. I think it's hard for anyone who hasn't had a reflux baby to understand.

Anyway, it turns out she has CMPA and her reflux is now much better and under control for the most part. Night sleep is OK but daytime naps are a nightmare. She just will not sleep anywhere but on me. I need my life back.

Please, any tips from people who have been in this situation before? How did you do it?!

Baby is four months old.

Raise the cot by using a towel under the mattress.

The quicker the maneuver from you to cot the better - too quick for them to wake or be bothered to wake.

Have you got a bedside bassinet where you can keep a hand on her & be close?

Cot is already elevated. Thankfully reflux isn't that bothersome anymore since cutting out dairy.

Today, I moved the cot next to my bed and had my hand on her or held her hand the whole time. I think it actually made her worse - hysterical screaming ensued and I did let her cry that way while trying to pat/shush her for a very long time. 😭

I've no idea if swaddling is the done thing or not any more as mine are older, but I found if I wrapped them up tightly in a blanket whilst cuddling them, the transition to cot was much easier. They continue to feel enclosed and wrapped up so the contrast between arms and cot isn't as stark.

The problem with swaddling is that she can roll now, so apparently I shouldn't do it.

Mine is 9 months old and I’ve not managed to transition from contact naps to cot naps. I do enjoy the cuddles but I sometimes think it would be nice to be able to at least tidy up, cook dinner , or maybe wash my hair once in a while 😂 we tried once this week and he napped in his cot for 20mins in which time I managed to wash up but he will nap for up to 2hrs on me so it’s a trade off of 20min rest then cranky bub or 2hr cuddle on the sofa.

Will your little one sleep in the car seat? I sometime take a book in the car and drive around for 10mins until he falls asleep then park up and he will sleep 45mins-1hr. Not exactly freedom but nice to have that time to read and not have someone sleeping on me.

Ultimately I just try and remember that one day I’ll miss this time in our lives…sorry that’s bot a more positive experience of cot naps!

We went from contact naps to pram naps which worked well for us - basically we would walk him down to sleep and then leave him napping in the back garden or in the house if it was raining hard.

Hot water bottle in the cot? Remove when baby goes in obviously but the warmth is helpful for my DD. She gets to the dozy stage on me and then it's an easier transition.

Unfortunately I think some babies just like to contact nap. They will get their in their own time.

4 months is still so tiny, we contact napped until about 8 months when my DS seemed more ready for it. I had Netflix on my phone and headphones, but I didn't have older children to have to mind.
Are you putting your baby down awake or asleep? So they wake when being put down, or is it they won't go to sleep if not being held?