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Original poster

5 months old baby still contact napping

33 replies

navymom · 19/02/2022 20:24

I'm a new mom and I feel like im doing something wrong based on all the recommendations. So first of all my baby is falling asleep only while being breasfed, second of all EVERY nap during the day is possible only if he is sleeping on me. And third of all we bed share in the night. Trust me we tried everything with putting him in the cot during the day or night. It just doesn't work. He wakes up immediately during the day. And regarding the night if he is in the cot, he would wake up every 20 min or so. Its important to mention that he hates pacifiers and soothes himself on the boob. Please tell me maybe there is someone who is in the same situation like me. Because i fell like im failing this whole motherhood thing. Regarding bed share please do not worry, its a king size bed, my husband sleeps on the couch and my sleep is very very light because of the baby.

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RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 20:30

They are 5 months old. This is what 5 month olds do.

Saltnsauceta · 19/02/2022 20:30

I'd recommend you look up your local la Leche league group. They have zoom meetings and in person. You will find a room full of women doing the same thing and loving every second of it! I guess what you should be thinking of is, does it suit you? If it does, then what's the problem? I'd probably let your husband back in the bed again though 😂 I just sleep with baby on the other side. I have a snuzpod attached to the bed to stop any chances of her rolling off.

Samanabanana · 19/02/2022 20:35

My 5 month old only sleeps in my arms, with a boob in his mouth, including all night long. Has since birth. I really hope he allows me to put him down one day! Solidarity

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MsChatterbox · 19/02/2022 20:36

There is hope. My daughter contact napped for ages. But since just over a year she has taken really long naps in the (stationary) pushchair!

Chocomelon · 19/02/2022 20:37

Normal

SamMil · 19/02/2022 20:39

It's definitely normal for that age, you sound like you're acing parenthood!

If it makes you feel any better, my child didn't have a single nap in her cot. She only slept on me (or in the car!) right up until she dropped a nap at 3. All children are different - as long as you're both getting some sleep, that's all that matters!

Alitlebitsleepy · 19/02/2022 20:40

Mine contact napped until 8 months. What you're experiencing is so normal. Why wouldn't your baby prefer to be snuggled up with their mum? It's where they feel safe and loved. It's the most natural thing. You're doing just fine.

fullofpips · 19/02/2022 20:41

Are you on Facebook? Join the beyond sleep training project group, you'll find tens of thousands of women who are doing exactly the same thing (and wondering if it's normal!!) you're not alone, promise

SamMil · 19/02/2022 20:41

Should have added, she slept perfectly in the cot at nursery even though she only wanted me at home.

KitKatKit · 19/02/2022 20:42

Totally normal; you are NOT failing and you are doing the absolute best you can for your baby!
Mine only slept on me til 6 months, breastfed to sleep until he was 1, and still bedshares with me at 18 months. I am happy with this arrangement. Why? Because we all get SLEEP!
Please don't feel like you're doing anything wrong. Babies are biologically wired to want to be close to us, so if your baby wants to sleep near you (and you get more sleep that way too), go with it and enjoy it.
You are doing great. Don't let anyone or any book tell you otherwise.

Garman · 19/02/2022 20:43

This is normal, currently doing all the same things with my 4 month old who is my third, did the same for them all. It's biologically normal, and these times are so short lived really and the cuddles are lovely. And it's easy! Get a sling if you don't already have one, makes contact naps easier if you need to do stuff.

GeorgiePorge · 19/02/2022 20:45

currently typing with my 5 month old on my nap after falling asleep on the boob.

I have got him out of my bed into the cot at night (after feeding to sleep), but all naps in the day are on me. For now I'm just enjoying it.

don't beat yourself up, sounds totally normal to me.

Orangepen13 · 19/02/2022 22:26

Sounds exactly like my 3mo!
We’ve recently had a bit of success with sleeping in the next to me cot - I saw some advice by Lyndsey Hookway (v gentle sleep consultant) to try the hardest thing at the easiest time… for us the easiest time to try the cot was after her first wake in the night. Then after a while we tried the second wake, and more recently she’s done a few all nighters (not without comfort cuddles at points!)

I’ve been told it’s totally normal, and if what’s happening is working for you both then carry on. If it’s not working for you, maybe making some tweaks so it feels more tolerable?

Mmmmmmbop90 · 19/02/2022 22:27

Sounds like you’re doing everything perfectly

All totally normal and brilliantly healthy - what a lovely start to life your baby has had

Mmmmmmbop90 · 19/02/2022 22:29

Also bed sharing is very safe if you follow the safe sleep 7 and your husband can be back in with you if you follow the guidelines!

surreymum89 · 19/02/2022 22:36

Yes same with my 6 month old , as someone else above does i also sleep with baby on one side and snuzpod set up next to bed , feed on side during the night, both my other two did the same (13 and 3) and they are both great sleepers without the breastfeeding or contact naps

Benjaminsniddlegrass · 19/02/2022 22:39

Yup totally normal, my DD was exactly the same, try to relax and enjoy it, once I relaxed I decided this was my me time - time to binge Netflix whilst having gorgeous baby cuddles. My DD is 6 now btw and tonight having a sleepover with one of her best friends and normally sleeps very happily in her own room. This too will pass and I know it doesn't feel like it but you will miss this very soon.

Flittingaboutagain · 19/02/2022 22:57

My baby is much older than yours and we love the contact naps and boob to sleep here too!

AppleTangerine · 20/02/2022 00:01

All very normal - just we live in a society that tells us it's not.
My baby was the same although would nap in pram. I liked my baby being near me (mostly). It's just how he was and bedsharing best way to get sleep.

MissMaple82 · 20/02/2022 00:03

Perfectly normal. Welcome to motherhood. It's a long and rocky road

RaginaPhalange · 20/02/2022 15:32

I bottle fed ds2 and he would only sleep on dh or myself during the day, he's now turned 1 and sleeps in his pram throughout the day and in his cot at night.

Mrsmch123 · 20/02/2022 22:26

My baby is almost 8 months old now and for the first 6 months of his life he contact napper. Was always ok sleeping overnight other than needing a quick cuddle some times. The second I tried to put him down during the day he would be wide awake🙈 then one day around 6 months I tried putting him down and patting his bum and it worked. From there i then started putting him in his next to me to fall asleep with a pat. It works 80% if the time. Your not doing anything wrong he's just a baby. Hand in there he will get there eventually

MSkeens · 17/07/2022 22:44

I know this was posted back in Feb but I'm hoping you are still on this forum. Just wondering how things are for you now? My daughter is 5 months next week and every nap is still a contact nap plus she now bedshares. She used to sleep in her cot overnight (next to my bed) but since the 4 month sleep regression she now refuses to sleep in her cot so she's with me.

Flittingaboutagain · 18/07/2022 09:51

My baby is one and asleep on me right now. So we still contact nap! But she will also go to sleep in her pram, car seat and cot sometimes for day naps. Things shift every few months I find.

Sbena · 18/07/2022 11:06

Yeah that's pretty much how mine was at 5 mo. If he didn't feed, he didn't sleep. At 6 mo I sleep trained and that was a b!tch but totally worth it to break the "bad" habits. Internet and even "professionals" told me if it worked for us then keep bf to sleep.

It worked for the baby but not for me!!

You've got to remember that he's only little and this is the only way he knows how to get to sleep. Even if you don't sleep train him, he WILL grow out of needing you to have a nap.

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