6 month old day nap disaster. Please help me!

[Charliewasagoodhamster]

Hello,

My dd is now 6 moths old. Breast fed and usually feeds to sleep. Sleeps well at night.

The problem is day time naps. She has never liked to be put down for naps. When she was Moses basket sized she could be rocked to sleep but for months and months she falls asleep on me, in the car or after a long walk.

I can usually get 2 20 min naps from her a day by cuddles but I really would like to get a nap in her cot every day.

I have tried cuddling to sleep and putting her down. She wakes up wide awake instantly. Putting her down and shooshing she thinks is a game and controlled crying broke me by 25 mns.

Does anyone have any tips to help me?

Thank you.......

Watching for advice with interest as I have the same problem with my 3.5mo. Sorry I can't offer any advice Charlie.

I've just started to put my 6m DD into her cot for naps after having her always take them sleeping on me or when we're out. She started naturally sleeping for longer than 40 minutes per nap about a month ago but whenever I put her in her cot that's usually her max. When she's asleep on me, she'll wake periodically, look at me and drop back off so long as I shut my eyes and don't make eye contact. Anyway watching with interest. I won't leave her to cry so always have to pick her up.

A 3.5 month old naps will be harder than a 6 month old. At 3.5 months I just used a sling and as they got older kept trying in the cot.

It's probably the timing. DD is 7 months and for the last month or so has been napping really well (a shock after DS). She needs a nap 90 mins or so after waking. Next nap is 2-3 hours after that one.

I started by putting her down after rocking/feeding and holding for 10-15 mins to make sure she's asleep. I also put her down on her tummy then stroke her back once she's down as she stirs. I kept doing this and literally in the last week she's arched her back as she wants to be put down awake then I stroke her back and she drifts off DS took a lot longer to get to that stage though.

So tackle the first nap - that's the easier one to nail. Try putting her down fully asleep, waiting 15-20 mins to be sure. It's just to get her used to being put down. Then work backwards on how long you wait.

Thank you for your replies.

Iggly, I hadn't thought of holding her for so long or putting her on her front. I'll give them a try. I think you are right, it is all about the first nap. It will give me confidence and show her she can do it.

Gradual retreat method worked for us (lots on google about it), went from catnaps to 2 x 2 he naps in his cot, took about 10 days and you sit with them through the process

I found what worked for me is to not wait until they look tired. dd goes from alert and awake to shattered in minutes.

So, I go by the clock. At 6mo she can go roughly 2 and a 1/4 hours between naps so if she wakes at 7, at 9 I take her awake and put her in her cot with a dummy and a teddy to cuddle and draw the blinds. She then falls asleep on her own as tiredness hits.

Im not necessarily saying itll work for you however my sil always had dneice nap on her and asked who I do so I told her and she started doing it too and it works for her.

I am very happy today, she took an hours nap in her bed! Thank you so much.

Iggly, after working out how to turn her over whilst asleep I let her fall asleep on me then after a few minutes put her down on her front. A few pats on her back she settled.

Gnocchi, I took her up to bed 90 mins after waking, she played around in her bed a bit and then got tired whichiswhenI fed her.

Excellent news!