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Getting 5 month old to nap in cot

2 replies

crazydiamond222 · 19/03/2020 09:26

My 5 month old has since birth had all his naps (5 30 to 45 minutes ones a day) either on me in a sling or in the pram. When he is in the sling he will only nap when in a darkened room with white noise on.

This was fine but now I will have my other son at home because of school closures I need to get him to settle in his cot for naps.

Does anyone have any tips on how to best do this? Is it best to start with a particular nap? I am wondering if I should try to reduce the number of naps but he currently gets tired after 1.5 hours awake, maybe becuase his naps are so short.

His nightime sleep is ok atm. I think we have got through the 4 month regression and he self settles in a bed next to mine at 7pm ish, wakes at 1am for a bf and at around 4am and then is awake for the day at 5.30am ish. He went through a stage at 4 months of waking every 1-2 hours at night and I did start to let him cry for 5 minutes to settle for a couple of nights and he now does longer stretches without crying.

His first nap is at about 6.30am so really a continuation of nighttime sleep. Any tips for the day time?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
crazydiamond222 · 20/03/2020 11:12

Anyone?

OP posts:
Pentium85 · 20/03/2020 11:18

So firstly to your question on dropping naps etc, I personally wouldn’t advise this as I am a firm believer in ‘baby sleeps when baby wants to sleep’. They will eventually drop their naps naturally.

As for getting them to nap independently, transition slowly. Do a few days of them on your chest with your arms around, then a few days of just on your chest, then just holding their hands, then hand on their back etc.

Also introduce another sleep cue, such as music or a book.

Worst case, just let them sleep in the sling. A few months time and you’ll be begging them to nap for the peace

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