2 month old only napping when held

[Agut]

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

@Lmnop22 love the blanket trick 🙂

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

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!

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.

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!

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

@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

@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..

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.

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

@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.

@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

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.

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.

@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

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!)

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