my 5 month old will NOT nap!

[Misty9]

Ever since birth it's been a struggle to get my baby girl to nap, but she at least used to sleep well in the sling. Now she fights that unless she's basically asleep after feeding.

Now she can go all day without a decent nap, having the odd ten minute boob nap to keep her going! It's exhausting for me because she feeds to sleep so every time she feels tired, she wants a feed --every bloody half an hour-but wakes if I move her.

I could try a more routine based approach and have a quiet feed followed by cot - but my 3 year old doesn't do quiet and I can't leave him downstairs for the hour time it would take.

I'm picking up a swinging chair today as a desperate measure, but anyone else in the same boat? Oh, and she won't sleep in her buggy and only occasionally in the car seat (then wakes when we stop).

Help, I'm cracking up!

Sorry to depress you but my DD gave up napping about that age and it never came back! all these much older kids having 1-2 hour naps every day, not in my house! Now at 4 she still doesn't need a lot of sleep, maybe some babies just don't.

Sorry, not helpful but you're not alone!

In my experience all babies go through this phase of not napping at about 4-6 months! Not much to do about it except ride it out and know that this too shall pass! Sending lots of tea

Ooh, I'm in exactly the same boat as you and was wondering about a swinging chair, let me know if it works!

Well, bought swinging chair yesterday and it definitely keeps her quiet :) she's not fallen asleep in it yet but my friend held her for one nap and she acquiesced to the sling with daddy for another. The real test will be next week.

Oh, and she actually fell asleep in the buggy yesterday! She was holding a furry tags blanket I bought her and I think it might have helped comfort her when normally only boob will do? It was only 30 minutes until I stopped walking, but progress! Unfortunately ds covered said blanket in mud today so I'll wash it sharpish.

Some babies just don't need much sleep just like some adults don't. According to my parents I have up daytime naps at 6 weeks old.

The blanket sounds like a good idea. My younger two both have blankets for comfort at nap/bedtime. If she does get attached to it for sleep then get a couple more and rotate them.