DD will nap..... but only in my arms

[TrinaW]

Hmmmm DD has developed extra-sensory perception and can now tell (without opening her eyes) when I put her in her cot/on a mat on the floor/pass her to anyone else and responds by crying inconsolably in her sleep. So baffled about what to do (other than just holding on to her until she wakes) - anyone else had this.

She's only 11wks old and never been a particularly good napper, but she's sleeping through quite a lot at night so it never bothered me as I figured it was quite a good trade off, but this new twist has made getting anything done difficult. Any ideas or (fingers crossed) reassurances that this is nothing but a very normal, short stage?

TIA

Mine was the same, until he was about 6 months. I let him nap in a sling, leaving me hands-free to get on with stuff.

Oh, and yes, it's certainly normal - she's tiny, and doesn't yet realise she's a separate person.

Mine still does this and she's nearly 7 months

DD finally stopped napping in my arms at about 9mo

Oh totally normal- enjoy it while it lasts. I used to stress that I was creating a rod for mu own back but DD started napping in cot at about 7 months and now I miss the cuddles. Theyre little for such a short space of time...

DS napped on me until he was 5 months old. He is now almost 1. They grow out of it.

If you're okay with this you could put her in a sling and carry on as normal. If you're not, then just put her down. She will adjust and all babies have to learn to sleep on their own sooner or later. If this is your first child I know it can seem like there is nothing you can do about it and the world will end if you put her down, but it won't. I let my first DS nap in a sling for ages and it got so that he wouldn't nap anywhere else. If I'd just put persevered in putting him down early on it would've been much easier. But you do what feels right. Just understand that as she gets older she will develop a habit - at the moment all she has is a preference.

Thanks everyone - I was a bit worried I was letting her get into bad habits so it's a relief to know that all your little people were the same and came out of it ok. Also interesting to hear your thoughts Juneau, with hindsight. I'm a bit of a softy though so will probably enjoy the snuggling for a little longer...

Thanks again!