9 week old baby won’t nap in the day

[funnygirlthatbelle]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some help with getting my 9 week old baby to nap in his crib in the daytime as he will not stay asleep unless he is on me (or in the car!). He doesn’t really like the pram and has only fallen asleep in there once on his own. I love the cuddles but I feel I ought to start spending a bit more time ‘doing things’!

He sleeps really well in his crib at night (although needs to be fed/rocked to sleep first) so i’m not sure why he will not stay asleep in there during the day and wonder if i am doing something wrong-maybe I am missing tired cues and letting him get over tired?! Lots of other Mums seem to be able to put their babies into their cots when they are drowsy and the babies will just settle themselves.

Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!!

Have you read about the fourth trimester?

Don’t worry one hot about what other babies and mums are doing. All babies are different, and I’m pretty certain some mums don’t tell the whole truth when it comes to sleep 😉

It’s very very early to be worrying about “doing things” or getting him to settle himself to sleep. He wants his mum, understandably. Perhaps make it rest time for you too and put your feet up while you have a cuddle?

*bit

Like the PP said, don't stress too much about it. Does your DS seem tired? Or bothered by it? What's his sleep like at night?

DS only slept on me for the first 16 weeks! And never napped between 6-14 weeks. He's happy enough in his cot now. They all do things in their in time. There's no rush to do any of this stuff.

If he does seem tired, I'd try lying down together in a dark room, white noise, lots of cuddles, a feed and see if he drops off. Keep it pressure free for both of you.

I'd build up lots of lovely associations with his cot though, that seemed to help DS. He'd lay in it while I was putting my makeup on playing with toys and me singing at him. I didn't want him to think his own bed was a bad thing.

My DS is 11 weeks and goes into his crib at night awake and then goes to sleep... in the day I have to sit with him on me until he is fast asleep then put him down like a ninja then run away before he wakes up 😐 sometimes they just need cuddles

Mine's 4 months, and only just (just!) having a nap that's not on me. And for that I have to feed him to sleep lying down, then sneak away.

Have you got a sling? Mine would nap like a champ in his, and it also gets you out the house and a little bit of exercise and fresh air.

Why are you putting a 9 week old to nap in a cot? They’re meant to be where you are. Get em to sleep however you can and leave them in the bouncer/rocker/playmat/sofa.

I second the sling suggestion! I use a long jersey wrap sling and my 12 week old settles really quickly in it and sleeps for hours, it allows me to get on with things. He doesn't really manage naps in his cot or pram either but I'm not too worried, I expect this will come with time.

My ds is awake most of the DAY , only taking brief 30 min naps here and there. Like you, he sleeps like a trooper at night (10-6). I found walking with him in a pram sent him to sleep. However he also sleeps In his pram at night so is probably used to it thus helping him snooze in the daytime. I also feed him in to a milk coma which also works 😂 every baby is different though x

Mine just wasn’t ready to nap independently until she was 5 months (in the pram) and 6 months (in the cot). Let’s just say I got through a lot of box sets...

Just hold him or take a walk. Not all babies are happy to be put down to sleep. You might try feeding him to sleep and gently carrying him to the cot. I can do that with my 3 month old but it’s not possible for all babies. The baby who happily sleeps alone easily at this age is more the exception than the norm. I would just get yourself a snack and something to read and make the most of sitting down while it lasts. You may find things get much easier in another month or so.

This was the best thing i discovered after ds2 whos now nearly 1.

I followed it and ds2 napped amazingly.

Posted too soon.

Check your baby's awake time. They are generally ready to nap not long after waking. Even if they dont seem sleepy. If you have reaches grumpy screamy phase they are overtired. You need to catch the baby during what i call the sweet spot time which will mean they are just the right amount of tired and will fall asleep easily when you signal it. By giving bottle, dummy, comforter, sleeping bag or whatever is part of your sleep routine. Hth.

My baby is the same, but i let her fall asleep on me then move her to her cot. Then she'll get used to waking up there, and hopefully soon she'll get better at going to sleep there for a nap

I know this isn't helpful but... enjoy the cuddles, the time passes so quickly. My LO has only ever had x1 30 min nap in the day from around 12weeks but sleeps 12 hrs over night.
As they get older and play more independently, you will start being able to 'start doing things'.