18 week old will not nap in crib - at my wits end!

[Karenah86]

My 18 week old ds has been refusing naps in his crib for the past 3 weeks. I've been trying everything and really at my wits end. He's never been the best daytime sleeper but used to do stints of 30mins - 2hrs (on a lucky day) in his crib. I'm currently rocking him to sleep in my arms and trying to transfer him to the crib but his eyes pop open as soon as I put him down and nothing I do seems to soothe him. He sleeps lovely on me or my husband but I'mtnot finding that sustainable anymore as I can't get anything done and it's frustrating me! I've been trying the sling around the house which does work but I find it very tiring carrying him all the time. Plus in this hot weather I'm not sure it's good for him. Today I hit rock bottom as a friend suggested CIO worked for her baby. I'm that desparate that I thought I'd give it a go but he got in such a state, screaming the place down. We were both in tears, I just can't do it! I also tried PUPD with the same outcome. He just gets so worked up and screams until he's red in the face and coughing and spluttering So I'm now back on the sofa with him sleeping in my arms. Just wanted to know if anyone else is going through or has gone through this and how did you manage to get past it?

My first dc refused point blank to nap in his cot at home. I used to take him for a walk in the pushchair most days so he would nap. Frustrating, but I decided to go with it because he got so distressed when we tried the cot.

I've no idea why it was such a problem - he napped easily in a cot for carers when I went back to work, it was just for me.

Sorry, that's not particularly helpful. But you're not alone!

Def could be time to remove the bassinet and put the seat onto his pram - you may find that the increased stimulation of being able to see more going on will tire him out more too.

Have you tried a sling? It was a game changer for us.

@Lockdownbear he doesn't sleep in the car seat for long. It's only if I actually need to go somewhere in the car, he will normally drift off. I've never purposefully gone for a drive to get him to sleep.

You're right, it's only a few short months in the grand scheme of things! It's very easy to forget that when you're in the thick of it though!

My son never napped in his cot. Ever.
He was a dream baby at nighttime sleeping though so I didn't mind at all

I used to have the buggy in the house if we were at home and rock him in that for a bit. Or if we were out he'd just sleep in the pram etc.

Go with the flow and trust your instincts. My DS always napped on me, when he stared nursery at 8 months he napped on a nursery nurse til he was out cold and popped into the cot.
You’re the centre of their world, do what feels right for you and your family. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

@Karenah86 with CC, I should have specified I meant when your baby is older! I am not even thinking about it for DD2 until she's at least 6 months. They change so quickly then ..:

Good luck