Naps out and about

[Irishgal1987]

Hi all
My wee girl is 4 months old and I'm a FTM. She has never been a fan of her pram and will rarely nap in it. This makes life so difficult when out and about. She will proceed to scream in the pram and is very clearly overtired. She doesn't use a dummy and sometimes will suck her thumb. She is a good sleeper at night in her next to me and will take day naps in there too after some rocking/shh/white noise and a darkened room. She also sleeps in the car.
I'm really struggling mentally today as we were in town and she refused to nap which turned into a full blown scream and I got in the car and went home. Feeling very deflated. Is anyone in the same boat who can offer advice?
Thanks in advance from a Mum who doesn't want to be stuck indoors all day!

Oh I had 2 of those...it's really tough

Have you tried a snooze shade on the pram, and a portable white noise machine? The absolute only way either of mine would sleep in the pram was with the blackout shade on it.

Mine went through this phase. It was only a phase though. Ended when I was out for lunch with some other mums and all their babies fell asleep. I was telling them how he absolutely refuses to sleep out in public so I'd probably have to leave soon. Obviously 2 minutes later he fell asleep 🫠. For me white noise machine helped as above but also when we moved him to the pushchair bit instead of the bassinet he napped better on a slight incline. Plus I'd have to stroke his nose in the pushchair and he'd hold a muslin 🤷

Mine didn't used to like the pram, but he did go to sleep in the carrier - that might be worth a try? This sort of thing https://ergobaby.co.uk/omni?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpYqm_dbXgQMVkZXVCh34NQ_GEAAYASAAEgIDNPD_BwE

Thank-you for replying 😊
@MandaLynn 2! Oh no, you must have been at your wits end. I haven't got a snoozeshade or portable white noise machine but must try them. You would give anything a go!
@Lijay omg amazing, I'm sure you couldn't believe it! I actually think my wee girl will prefer being slightly inclined too. She has reflux. Haha she also loves holding a muslin and putting the blanket over her face!! What age did you change him to the pushchair?
@JC89 thanks for the link! I have a carrier but haven't been brave enough to try it out around nap time. My wee girl is so nosy it might be too distracting!

A sling or carrier might help. They can feel a bit far away in the pram I think.

@Irishgal1987 we swapped him over around 4 or 5 months old. Obviously didn't have him completely upright but he liked seeing more of what was going on. As she has reflux that deffo could be why she doesn't like napping in the pram.

None of mine have ever slept in a pram OP so I feel you. The oldest one was OK and would sleep in the carrier so we did that for every nap until naps were no longer a thing. Middle would sleep in the carrier most of the time but also liked arms and the car. The youngest never slept unless laid flat, in a silent, darkened room, being fed, with zero outside stimulus. Of course that was utterly impossible but they didn’t get the memo, so that one just screamed their way through every day and never slept. They’d just spend their days overtired in the carrier as I ran after the older two, and then not sleeping all night. Kids eh. I’d definitely try the carrier and leave pram at home.

@MidnightOnceMore I definitely will give the carrier a go but she is a bit nosy so could be a disaster 😅
@Lijay yeah the reflux could be causing the issue too, although in saying that she has no issue lying flat in her next to me. It's a total guessing game isn't it! I've bought a snoozeshade today so fingers crossed that helps!
@InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits you are quite literally the definition of 'every child is different', wonder woman dealing with all of that. The nap battles are the worst. I would love to take our wee one on a sun holiday but terrified she wouldn't sleep on the plane or during the day! In one way its the easiest time to take her away since she isn't mobile but in other ways it's so hard (and unpredictable)!
It's a good job she is cute. She smiles and all is forgiven haha.

My son was the other way round where he would ONLY nap in the pram, so I had to walk around outside numerous times a day in literally all weathers - until he was 16 months! Now at 2 he’ll only nap at home and won’t nap at all in the pram 😂 I understand how restrictive it is, I was always jealous (still am) of the people who’s children sleep anywhere!
Hopefully this is a phase for your little one and she’ll come to love the pram x

I had one that definitely slept better in the buggy than the pram. The buggy laid almost flat and we transferred at around 4 months too. Is definitely worth a try!

Mine was the same but generally a poor sleeper. A great tantrum thrower and screamer. All children cry. Some have a louder scream than others. I got used to it. You can only do your best, it will happen more often as they get older, especially as a toddler. You are not doing anything wrong.

I really wouldn't bother stressing about this too much. At the moment it feels like a big deal because at 4 months old they need to nap all the time. I'd really recommend trying a carrier, even the nosiest baby should nod off eventually, it probably wont be the same quality of sleep they get at home, but you probably don't sleep as well on the move either as you do in your own bed! It will tide them over though.

Then anywhere from 6 months old you should be able to get them having a big nap after lunch, with smaller nap either side, which they drop before you know it. By this point you should feel v pleased that they are willing to sleep at home while you get 2 hours to yourself every day. Don't see it as restrictive being at home, it's just a bit of downtime when energy levels naturally fall for everyone.

reframe, adjust expectations and honestly blink and the is time will fly by (although it really doesn't seem like it right now!)