1 year old won't nap in cot...

[pinkdaisies]

Hi!

Any ideas on how to get my 1 year old DS to nap in his cot during the day? He sleeps fine at night, going down awake and settling himself well. However, he's never napped during the day in his cot. I tried briefly when he was about 4 months old, but had to feed him to sleep so it was very hit or miss and I soon gave up. I tend to take him for a walk in his pushchair, or even just rock him briefly in it in his nursery. It's not a massive issue, however there are times when it'd be great if I could just put him down in his cot!

Has anyone had any success with teaching this to an older baby? Any tips!? They'd be greatly appreciated!

can you replicate the conditions of the night nap? i.e. dark, similar routine? then if he cries maybe try the pick up / put down technique? i doubt it would be very easy at this stage though. or music could help? laying on a mattress near him? my ds loves his nap in the cot but we've been doing it since abot 6 weeks and he's now 22 months so pretty ingrained. maybe someone else will have some tips.

My DS has never napped in his cot, as we live on three floors. But I did get him off to sleep and then laid him on the sofa to sleep there, and we had a blanket to put over him. As he got a bit older we shifted to him lying on the sofa and going to sleep by himself, which he still does on the days when he has a nap.

I don't know that it would definitely work for everyone, but it might be worth a try. At least you won't be stuck holding him - they get heavy!