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Original poster

How to get daytime naps in cot?

21 replies

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 09:46

Hi just looking for some advice from seasoned mums or creche workers on how to get babies to nap during the day.
DD is 3 mths old and will nap only in pram while being rocked, shusshed, head rubbed, and then rocked again... it takes about 30 minutes to get her to sleep for 45 mins/1hr max. I do this at 9am, 12pm and 3pm. This is a all fine and it's working for us now.
But soon she'll be too big for the pram (big baby and tall!) and she's trying to sit up already so I'll soon have to get her to nap in cot.
At night she sleeps in cot but it can take up to 2 hrs to settle her- which wouldn't make sense for a short nap.
So wondering without the rocking motion of the pram any tips for day naps?

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Ullupullu · 23/09/2018 09:47

Neither of my babies managed daytime naps in the cot, ever. Used the pram inside and outside.

NerrSnerr · 23/09/2018 09:48

Mine never managed it (but I didn't push it). Mine both slept in pram (or pushchair), car or on me.

Move2WY · 23/09/2018 09:50

I had a coccoon for mine and when they fell asleep I transferred them to the cot. So they were used to it before transitioning them out of the coccoon

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JupiterDrops · 23/09/2018 09:54

It took me about 6-8 weeks of following the same routine to get mine to nap in the cot, it was a proper slog.

We used a sleep consultant as before that they wouldn't sleep at all basically.

At naptime I'd take baby to their room, feed and cuddle then place in their cot (in the sleepyhead when small). Cue screaming. Pick up, comfort, put down, ssshhh and pat. Scream again. Repeat.

For weeks I spent the whole nap time comforting and picking up and down. Eventually they would fall asleep in the cot but only do one sleep cycle then go nuts, so 20m or so. Then it just got gradually better and better and it helped the nighttime transition to their own room at 6 months too as they were used to the environment.

I gave them a comforter for naps in the day (as I was either in the room by them or right by the monitor), and then at night from 8 months which seemed to help.

It was so so draining at the time but I do think it helped foster good sleep habits in a baby that was HIDEOUS (at night they woke up every 20-30 minutes until they were six months).

Original poster

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 09:54

ullupullu and nerrsnerr so did they sleep upright when you converted it from flat pram when they got bigger?

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OnlyToWin · 23/09/2018 09:57

Both of mine napped in the cot during the day. Did the Gina Ford nap times and so they had a short nap at about 9am and a long one between 12 and 2/2.30pm. The elder one was a more relaxed baby so more willing to do this.

I started off with dd1 by taking her out in the pram at 9am and then over lunch so she got used to napping at these times anyway and then one day just looked for signs she was starting to get tired, but not letting her get overtired. So if she rubbed her eyes I would place her in the cot.

For dd1 it was much easier. Dd2 was less relaxed and needed some shushing and patting too. Also it was not possible to walk her when dd1 was having her nap at lunchtime so sometimes I would spend half an hour settling her. TBH she was never the great sleeper dd1 does and I think to an extent it’s the luck of the draw!!

Good luck op. Naps in cots mean you get some peace during the day and for me that was invaluable.

meow1989 · 23/09/2018 09:58

My DS is also 3 months. He sleeps beautifully in his cot overnight but likes to sleep on me during the day. I worked out that the pram bassinet restricts him (he likes to sleep with arms outstretched) and he won't sleep in there any more. I either lay him down on some blankets in the room I'm in or let him sleep on me. To be fair he rarely naps for more than 10 mins in The day with maybe one bigger hour or so stint. I don't like the idea of him being asleep in his cot and me not being in the room with him whilst he's so little.

I figure it'll be all too soon before he doesn't want cuddles for sleep so don't mind too much.

Original poster

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 10:01

Thanks onlytowin yeah she's extremely hyper! She'll do everything in her power to fight sleep .
Yeah I used to time her walks like that and she'd sleep but after about 8 weeks she was so alert she'd want to look all around for her walk- even if it was 2hours! Same in the car too, little nosy parker 😂😂

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Original poster

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 10:02

meow89 yeah that's another reason I've been using pram- to have her in room with me. She won't really sleep on me or cuddle though- needs her space 😑

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OnlyToWin · 23/09/2018 10:05

Thinking about it I think dd1 was a little older than 3 months when I started the cot naps - probably nearer 5 months. Dd2 was younger which is probably one of the reasons why it was less successful.

seven201 · 23/09/2018 10:06

My dd is 2 and a bit and still favours a buggy nap. Fine going to sleep in her cot/now single bed at night, just hates Doug it for naps. Will happily sleep on a mat at nursery for naps though!

Ullupullu · 23/09/2018 10:09

Not upright, most pram/buggy toddler seats recline!

OnlyToWin · 23/09/2018 10:12

My sister in law used to rock my nephew in his pram (Silver Cross with bouncy carrycot) in the hall for about ten minutes before his naps. Then when he was older he slept in his cot at the same times he had slept in his pram. It kept her fit too!!

Original poster

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 10:21

Thanks everyone, pram/buggy seems to be the way! Oh yeah sorry ullupullu I'm sure ours reclines slightly, must check it out and it sounds like that will be our best option!

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thethoughtfox · 23/09/2018 10:26

Mine still napped in the pram when she was nearly 4 and far too big for it.

NC4Now · 23/09/2018 11:01

I found the pram easier because it didn’t tie me to the house. If I wanted to go shopping or take my older DC out, I’d give the baby lunch and put him in the pram and he’d sleep for a couple of hours while I got things done.

mindutopia · 23/09/2018 11:24

In the buggy or in the car (would plan trips out for nap times) or in a sling. My first never napped in a cot, ever, not once til she dropped naps at 2.5. She did at nursery apparently (I think just because everyone else was). But honestly, I think it made it easier to not be trapped at home.

Sleeplikeasloth · 23/09/2018 15:43

Why would you want to?

If baby is happy sleeping in a oram/pushchair, then that's great as long as it doesn't have to be constantly on the move. That way, you can have naps at home or out. I know people whose lives revolve around being home in time for naps, whereas I have freedom as my toddler sleeps in the pram home or away.

Original poster

MrsMelonBall · 23/09/2018 16:06

I know people whose lives revolve around being home in time for naps
Yeah me too sleeplikeasloth- whenever I'm out with friends during day they always have to leave at 3pm for nap time! Great to hear this isn't necessary

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OnlyToWin · 23/09/2018 16:08

I can see both points of view. When I just had one I was happy to be out and about for naps. When I had two and it was winter I was happy that they would sleep in their cots at home and I could get stuff done.

aperolspritzplease · 23/09/2018 16:15

Dts didn't nap in the cot until they were 18 months. I walked and walked when they were small!

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