suddenly won't nap in cot

[ReedFoxE]

So my 7.5 month old DS has suddenly started screaming every time I put him down for a nap in his cot, despite being completely fine with it since he was about 2 months?? He's never been great at napping, normally only naps for about 20-40 mins at a time unless we're in the car, but he always used to go down okay.
I feel like I shouldn't really complain because he sleeps through the night fine but he gets so overtired during the day, so when my partner gets home after work DS is never in a good mood and is just grumpy/doesn't want to play.
He'll only nap in his buggy (only when the buggy is moving though) and on me, which isn't really convenient, especially since I go back to work soon and he'll start nursery where he can't do that.

Is this a normal thing for his age? It's just started out of the blue so I'm really not sure what's triggered it?

8 months is peak separation anxiety time.

My 9.5 month old is currently going through a similar thing. It’s been ongoing for the last month however for the last week things have been much better. I’ve had to cuddle to sleep and transfer quite a few times which I haven’t done since he was about 4 months when he was happy to babble to sleep. I just did what I had to to get him to sleep. Rocking then placing down, letting him sleep on me and taking out in the pram when we were having a really bad day and I couldn’t face the battle. I’ve actually enjoyed all the sleepy cuddles, as has DP . As PP said it’s peak time for separation anxiety, it’s a phase and it will pass. Also, you may find that when he goes to nursery he does things that he would never do at home. My friends DS was also cuddled the whole tome for his naps by the staff the first 2-3 months when he was at nursery before he was happy to go in the cot.

Separate anxiety can start at any time through a child's life but becomes at its peak from 8 month. He will will realise that things can be taken away and not come back therefore he doesn't want that happening to you but what you should defiantly do is show him you will be there and what you defiantly shouldn't do it give in. When he is napping lay him down and if he cries just try tapping or singing or stroking and if that doesn't work pick him back up get him back to sleep and try again. It will be hard work (that's babies for you haha) but will be worth it in the end when he gets used to it. Try altering his nap time and duriations. Try sending him to sleep in different ways eg with a blanket or comforter or swaddled up. Some parents even try the leave in the cot and walk out method but I find that way to hard and it didn't work for me at all!

I work in a baby work (3 months-2 year olds) and believe me leaving him is going to be the hardest thing ever for you and he will break tour heart and will defiantly have tears but I assure you it will be so beneficial to him in the long run.