So... Naps then. Can we compile hints and tricks please?

[Littlef00t]

I have a 5wo DD and am really struggling with naps, she will only nap on me or DH, or when being pushed in the pushchair or in the car. She is pretty good at night and will go to sleep in her Moses basket fairly happily if v sleepy before hand so rather frustrating this doesn't translate to daytime.

From reading other sleep posts naps are clearly a battle for many. Any parents of good nappers prepares to share their secrets please?

I have an 8 week old DS and whenever he goes down for a nap in the day or for bedtime at night i play lullabies from a bear called 'Prince Lionheart'. It's available on amazon for £20 ish. You can choose between lullabies, womb noises, white noise etc and the great thing is that it is sound and motion activated so when DS wakes up and cries it turns on for 5 minutes. I think it has helped him to re-settle without me going back in to him so much. It could be a coincidence but i thought i'd share anyway!x

We bought a rainforest swing from Argos. I'll never forget putting DD in it and she slept for over an hour. We cried with relief!

I wouldn't say I have a good napper, but in the early days we found swaddling a godsend. I know they've now decided you're not supposed to, but it was the only way DS would sleep!

I had still have a shitty sleeper. Am told baby swings are quite good. I will say, v unhelpfully, nothing we did worked, and actually I worried and stressed my way through weeks instead of enjoying the newborn cuddles. I hope you find something that works, but in the meantime, please enjoy

Did anyone find their babies were more up for sensible naps as they got a little older? DD would only sleep at night on one of us for the first 3 weeks then was less of a problem, hoping that might be the same for naps...

Also, any suggestions for a good lullaby CD?

still waiting (5m). stupid 30 min naps the norm here...

Under 6 Months defo a swing! Read www.troublesometots.com

Then after that you will recognise when baby needs nap (SMALL WINDOW!!!) ie 2hrs after waking in the morning, then around 12/12:30 ... Then I reckon around 4ish for Max 30mins in push chair or car

However, my DS 5mths also cat naps ... none of this long nap business!!!!

If she can go down drowsy but awake at nighttime (which is amazing!!) I would either carry on doing naps in the pram, car, on you etc or try and recreate a dark room etc for naps. I would imagine that the darkness and silence are helping her take herself off to sleep in the day.

We mainly used a bouncer chair at this age so we weren't trapped underneath DS for however long he wanted to sleep for.

In the early days DS would only sleep on myself or the OH.

We then had a number of weeks when only the heart beat sound of Ewan the Dreamsheep worked (which by that stage was pure absolute bliss for us).

As he got older I got into the habit of settling him for a nap, covering with a blanket, gently stroking his head whilst softly saying 'sleepy time' every few seconds.

Now he's 17wks he has his semi-set nap times (10am, 1pm, 4:30pm). If we've had a busy day and he's not really napped as he's been overstimulated I only have to say sleepy time about 4 times before his eyes flutter closed.

Oddly our little guy can't do daytime naps if the room is dark or silent, nor can he nap in his cot. Instead he naps on my feeding pillow on the sofa which holds him nice and snug. When he learns how to roll we'll have to rethink things!

Ds (7mo) will only nap in his pushchair, indoors or outdoors, but forget putting him in a cot to nap, it just won't happen. God knows what will happen when he goes to nursery in September!!!

Thanks everyone for all the fab advice.

Took your advice on board, dug out the Ewan sheep for lullaby music and worked on more of an obvious pre nap routine incl a cuddle in her gro bag and shushing and stroking before putting her down. Amazing how short her sleepy window is before she's past it.

Not too bad today so hopefully things will continue to improve.

Your baby does nap....in 4 different places! At 5 weeks that sounds like pretty go going!

Personally I think go with it and don't worry, it will improve as they get older.

The Golden Rule - the goldenest rule of them all - first nap 90 minutes after waking. Like clockwork. Or else you're fucked in the overtired washing machine cycle for the rest of the day.

I agree with Dave, she is napping! My tips would be:

• assume that she needs to sleep approximate 1.5 hrs after last waking at this age
• don't worry about where she sleeps (on you, in car, in pram, bouncy chair...), in fact I would make the most of enjoying her snuggled up asleep on you and put your feet up!
• if she struggles to get to sleep and you don't want to have to go out with pram or car, try jiggling around with her in a sling

Congratulations!

Cross-posted Rooty!

Absolutely agree - 90 mins! If I was to give one piece of advice to new parents that would be it.

Bears I am a 90 minute bore evangelist!

She's still tiny, enjoy the cuddles!

They need you at that age. She barely knows she's in the outside world yet. My ds is 17 months tomorrow. Slept no more than 20 minutes anywhere but on me or dp until about 4 months then started to tolerate the pushchair and car seat. Now he does 1 1/2-2 hours in his cot every day. It's something they grow into