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Parenting

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Original poster

Contact naps

19 replies

Jamal2003 · 08/02/2023 10:58

My baby is currently 7 months old and still has contact naps only. What age did you all stop contact naps ? I’m starting to worry that he’s getting to old for them,

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chillichutneysarnie · 08/02/2023 11:18

I lie in bed with mine for most naps, 9 months old. It's just the easy way out for me. However, they drop naps don't they so I'll tackle it when he drops to one a day. Nursery will have to find a way too for the 3 days they are having him when he turns 1 😬😬😬

ExhaustedMuch · 08/02/2023 11:38

Starting transiting to cot for naps at around four months but it didn't fully happen until almost 6 months. Glad I did it when I did. We still have the occasional contact nap now, but mostly I am able to have some free time and get stuff done. If I really want a cuddle, I just take a contact nap. Now she's used to the cot, we can do that every now and again.

trrk · 08/02/2023 11:51

Mine is also still contact napping at 7 months. I have been thinking about trying to do some cot naps but we are going away for 3 weeks soon so will probably wait until we get back.

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sunflowerandivy · 08/02/2023 12:01

Stopped at 7.5 months when I did a bit of sleep training and consolidated to two long naps. Took 2ish days

Batbatbatty · 08/02/2023 12:10

My little one is 6 months and he only contact naps if he's ill or not feeling well after vaccinations. Other than that he naps in his cot (or pram if we're out)

It's been that way since he was born to be honest, although there were more contact naps at the beginning.

CoalCraft · 08/02/2023 12:16

Neither of mine would nap anywhere but on a parent from about two months. My eldest has finally stopped contact naps recently aged 26 months... Because she's giving up naps entirely.

They both sleep well in their beds at night so I'm fine with it. Quite like the cuddles and being obliged to sit and rest.

DragonbornMum · 09/02/2023 08:49

Began sleep training at 6 mo and since then, all naps are in the cot (or buggy/carseat if we're out). Gruelling work but worth it as he is happy to be in bed by himself.

He now sleeps like a dream. 18 mo and I put him to bed and forget about him.

ElmtreeMama · 09/02/2023 08:54

15 month here and still contact napping, we love it. X

TrudyProud · 09/02/2023 08:54

DD is nearly 10months and her naps are a mix of contact/car/pram walk. She doesn't nap in her crib -works for me as I like to be out n about during the day. She starts nursery at 1yo so they can transition her to cot naps if they choose.

Bedtime is in the cot and she settles easily.

If you are happy contact napping - continue. There's no such thing as "supposed to" when it comes to children's sleep.

JenniferBarkley · 09/02/2023 08:56

At about six months both of mine suddenly wanted to be in their cots in the dark for naps. Up until then the first would only nap on me and the youngest would go in her bassinet in the living room.

Keep going for as long as it suits both of you, and then when either of you is done make the move.

EJRB · 09/02/2023 13:14

Of course he is not too old for them. Humans are never too old for other human contact, he’s been in this world less time than he was inside you, make the most of the lovely cuddles!

my LO was 12 months when he stopped wanting to contact nap

AudreyJL · 09/02/2023 19:02

19 months here and still contact napping 😊

Owen456 · 09/02/2023 22:38

My little girl is 8 months and we do a bit of everything. I love the contact nap cuddles but she’s happy enough to sleep in her pram/car seat/ cot . She knows when bedtime is though and goes to sleep in cot easily so I’m not worried about our contact naps

FigAndOlive · 17/02/2023 12:53

7 months but we did sleep training. I was on my knees of having to carry and hold her in the dark, she was 99th percentile for weight 🫠 best decision, now I just pop her in the cot she hugs her fluffy monkey and falls asleep by herself

IssyM123 · 22/08/2023 14:09

@ExhaustedMuch how did you start that at 4 months?! Just kept persisting with it? I am trying to do the same at same age but just ends up in hours of crying even with me there so I keep giving up 😝
if you have any tips I’d be so grateful!

howtheheck123 · 22/08/2023 14:12

12 months then she started nursery, I miss them but she sleeps no issue in her cot/at nursery. I was really worried she wouldn't nap in different environment after contact naps but was totally fine.

Enjoy them, they are amazing and are only around for a small period of time.

ExhaustedMuch · 22/08/2023 19:43

@IssyM123 It was getting unsustainable for me. I started doing Crib Hour but at first I would stay in there with her holding her hand, and then I would just stay there with her next to her without holding her, then a little further away etc. It probably took a month, with lots of tears, but she sleeps so well now and she's 19 months. It is the best thing I ever did. I'm convinced that it isn't a good thing for them to be too dependent on Mum for sleep. Mine used to wake up and cry so much more before I sleep trained.

quickncncncnc · 14/08/2025 00:15

@ElmtreeMama, @AudreyJL and @CoalCraft I know this is an old thread now but… my contact napping little one is starting to drop to just one nap now, and I’ve read that apparently these single naps have to be quite long at around 2 hours plus… did you literally just sit down for two hours with them?

Did it affect your days out - for example you had to make sure you were near a cafe with comfy chairs at nap time? I hope you’re all doing well now 😊

ElmtreeMama · 14/08/2025 07:53

quickncncncnc · 14/08/2025 00:15

Did it affect your days out - for example you had to make sure you were near a cafe with comfy chairs at nap time? I hope you’re all doing well now 😊

My little girl is 3 and a half now.
We dropped naps at 2 and every single one was a contact nap but I will say that she never had long naps as she's a dreadful sleeper so even when it was 1 nap it was still 1hour maximum x

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