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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Please help... How can I get my baby to nap??

11 replies

lola1980 · 24/09/2013 20:17

My six week old daughter is a brilliant sleeper at night, but just will not nap through the day. She falls asleep on me while feeding but as soon as I put her down, she wakes.

I've bought a swing to see if that helps but she doesn't like it. She gets so overtired it becomes a nightmare settling her, I'm at my wits end

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rubyslippers · 24/09/2013 20:17

Sling

ab00 · 24/09/2013 20:39

Second the sling. Or pram. Or you could try putting a blanket under her so when you put her down she's still on the same thing iyswim. Or just enjoy this snuggly stage & let her sleep on you.

JemR234 · 24/09/2013 20:43

A nap is a nap, is a nap. Let her sleep in your arms or a sling, or the pram. Don't listen to the 'experts' who say all sleep should take place in the cot, that doesn't work for some babies and you just have to go with the flow to avoid frustration all round.

Original poster

lola1980 · 24/09/2013 20:53

I did buy a sling but I found it a bit awkward, I think it will be better when she's got more neck control. I suppose I'll just let her sleep on me and sod the housework/meals...

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Jaffakake · 24/09/2013 20:56

Definitely sod the housework. This bit goes by so quick, enjoy the snuggle & watch a bit of tv!

ToddleWaddle · 24/09/2013 20:56

Try the pram.
Never worked for dd1 but just pop dd2 3months in roll up and down kitchen and she's sound asleep. Am constantly amazed by this. Or even just have a wander to the shop for a paper/bar of chocolate and enjoy the break when you get back.

CreatureRetorts · 24/09/2013 20:59

What is the sling? How big is she? I found a soft stretchy sling worked well with my smaller dd until she got bigger.

But don't put her down until 20 mins have passed after she first falls asleep as will be in a deep sleep. Or just sit down and enjoy the rest! I found swaddling helped though.

Original poster

lola1980 · 24/09/2013 22:08

It's a ring sling but not stretchy. I had every intention of using it before I had the baby, in fact I had loads of ideas about how I'd do stuff, but the reality is much different isn't it?? Good idea about the pram too, I'll give that a go.

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HaveToWearHeels · 24/09/2013 22:10

DD was the same, would only ever nap on me or moving buggy. Just go with it and enjoy. As soon as I accepted this was the way she liked it I got less stressed. When it's nap time make sure you have everything you need, remote, book, cuppa and settle down for a snuggle.

Rattle · 25/09/2013 21:00

This stage will pass, she so small. Def enjoy the snuggle time. My 7mo DD had naps in my arms or buggy for the first 3 months. Then I slowly trained her to nap in her cot. All fine now.

InsomniaczK8 · 25/09/2013 21:15

Swaddle her! My DD was exactly the same - she'd only sleep on people and as soon as she went down she'd be awake within 5 mins. We blindly followed the advice of midwives/HV that swaddling isn't advised anymore but as soon as we ignored it and gave it a go we havent looked back. Being swaddled tricks them into thinking they are still being held and they feel safe and secure. We only discovered it when she was 6 weeks old and wished we'd tried it sooner. I get so much more done now and I even have a clean kitchen now! Good luck.

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