16 week old ebf b/g twins - how and when do I get them to do naps in cots (as opposed to on me...)?

[legallyblond]

I'll be posting this in multiples too...

I already have a 3 yo so have been here before, but daytime napping was the one think I failed at with DD (and if course now she has no naps anymore, so that doesn't matter!).

I'm ebf the twins and prob will carry on after I wean them until they're two or so (I did this with DD - just morning and evening from 1 year old).

They're just falling into a routine, part led by me. We've always done 8.30am morning nap in the pram as this is the pre school run or dog walk time. They're v used to that now. 7pm is bedtime feed in a dark bedroom (bath at 6.30) and they are now both reliably asleep by 8.30pm. Left to own devices, they'll wale at 1.30 or 5.30, but I tend to dream feed at 11pm and then I just get one waking (which I think is FAB - DD woke every two hours!). I always tandem fed unless out and about.

BUT, the rest of the daytime naps.... Argh!! They nap around midday then once or twice in the afternoon. They feed or sling or cuddle/rock to sleep but wake when put down... How and when do I get them napping in the cot? I cuddled DD to sleep until she dropped her nap ... Don't want that again!!! Do I just put them in tired and let them cry?!?!? Feels very odd! When? Four months? No idea where to begin with this.... All advice appreciated!

I've not got multiples, so can't comment on that, but I do have a DS who was a terrible daytime sleeper, and would literally only nap while he was moving - in the pram, car or sling - but would wake up instantly, as soon as I stopped moving! I literally had to keep walking, even with the sling. I walked for MILES, and so by 4 months I was desperate to get him to nap in his crib so I could have an occasional cup of tea!

I wasn't comfortable letting him cry, so I used to rock/walk around with him until he was almost asleep, just as his eyes were going, then put him down before he fell asleep completely. To begin with, 9/10 times he'd wake up and cry, and I'd pick him up & do whatever it took to get him to drop off again! Sometimes I tried a few times, other times I just gave up and took him for a walk - it depended how I was feeling. But over a few weeks, he gradually seemed to get better, and more often he would stay in his cot and sleep for 30 mins or so. Then his naps suddenly started to get longer. Now, at 16 months, I put him in his sleeping bag & put him down awake, & he settles himself, and I would consider him to be a really good sleeper. No idea if this would work for other babies, but it worked for us.