Is this a bad habit - opinions please!

[BoeBarlow]

My DD is 5.5 months old and sleeps great at night. She'll self settle in her cot around 7-7.30, wake once for a feed at 1-1.30 then sleep through until 7-7.30.
During the day her naps are not regular. Sometimes she'll have several short naps (20-30 mins) throughout the day, sometimes just one longer nap (1-1.5 hours). I tend to just go with what she wants rather than trying to impose a nap schedule on her. If we're out & about and she needs to nap she'll sleep in the pram or car seat no problem however if we're in the house she'll only really sleep on me.
I've tried putting her down drowsy but awake in her cot or bouncy chair but she won't self settle. I've tried waiting until she's asleep and putting her down but she wakes almost immediately. In a way I don't mind sitting holding her while she sleeps (in fact, it's lovely ) and I'm just grateful she sleeps well at night. I was wondering though if I was creating problems for myself in the future. Is she likely to be able to self settle better when she's older or should I be actively encouraging it now? I'm going back to work in 4.5 months so she'll need to be able to sleep in a travel cot at nursery/GPs house.

Have I created a bad habit? (Sorry this was long!)

Sounds like you've nailed he nights and that is the most important thing.
If she isn't in a strict nap routine at home she might be quite flexible and will soon settle into whatever works for nursery and GP.
I have known friends children who have been put into such a strict routine that anything off schedule results in frantic children and parents, I would just be grateful that she sleeps at night and go with the flow if it works for you both.

Thanks for the reply. To be honest I'm happy enough to keep going with the way things are at the moment. As you say, the nights are good just now and that's the most important thing. My DH is more of the opinion that she might struggle to sleep away from me when she's at nursery/GPs. I didn't think of it in terms of her being more flexible.

Anyone else have any experience of this?

I'd just go with it if you're happy. She will behave totally differently if you're not there so don't worry about that. I don't believe babies can develop habits that young to be honest - either good or bad ones!

If enjoy the cuddles if I were you!

Please don't worry about this, it's totally normal. My DD was exactly the same. When she was a little over 6m she started sleeping in the cot sometimes and from 7.5m she hasn't slept anywhere else.
Just keep trying the odd time to put her down and see if she's ready.
It'll happen on it's own.

Thanks everyone. My gut was telling me not to worry too much but you know what it's like when you start second guessing yourself

Make the most of it! The era of sleepy cuddles is over far too soon.

My DS was exactly like this. In fact I think I wrote a post exactly like your op at the time! I went with it up until he was about 6 months and realised I needed to put him down to sleep so I could actually get stuff done while he napped. Like shower for example!

I just fed him to sleep (was bfing at this point) then when he was completely asleep transfer to cot. Cue him waking up, so repeat repeat repeat until he eventually stayed asleep. It took a bit of time and perseverance but we got there in the end and he got easier and easier to transfer to the cot.

He's 1 now and I still give him a bottle of milk to settle him before a nap and usually have to wait until he's asleep before putting him in the cot, but occasionally he'll go down awake. He has 2 naps a day for around 1.5 hrs each.

I know when he goes to nursery in September he'll only have one nap and will Have to self settle but I think it'll be fine as everyone says they just do it when they need to.

For her, you going back to work is almost a whole lifetime away! I wouldn't worry at all, sounds like you're doing brilliantly

Thanks badg3r We've been very lucky, she's a very contented wee soul.

New mum and eminy, thank you for reassuring me that it's normal and I haven't created a rod for my own back. I'll try putting her down in her cot occasionally and see how we get on.

In the meantime I'll just enjoy the cuddles