Sling naps

[Sleepless2022]

Help!

I need to get my 9 month (!) old off sling naps.
She also will nap in the car and pram, but only when moving - I’m fine with this sometimes but she does a c. 2hr nap at lunch and obviously don’t fancy walking constantly every day.
She did learn to settle independently at 5 months but after a period of illness we’re back on the sling, and with lockdown this was much more common than naps out and about obviously.
She always goes in her cot before the nap, but even if I switch on white noise, lights out etc she just rolls around and babbles, she’s not upset and trying to sleep just active. She then sleeps within two mins in the sling, I dont rock just hold.

I don’t quite know what to do as she doesn’t seem to even try to sleep. Keeping them going is not an option as she starts childcare in 2 months. Anyone have any tips?

Persevere with the cot naps. Don't give in. She needs to learn sleep queues, you could try holding and rocking her a bit then putting in cot, rinse and repeat until she goes off.

But if it's just about childcare, I wouldn't worry - they have magical ways to get babies to nap and it all sorts itself pretty soon. If sling naps suit you (rather than breaking your back) then you could keep it up.

Thanks for the response! I know she can do it, but she’s so strong willed I’ve got to push on through.
I quite like the rest time to be honest but even without the childcare it’s not practical for me to do it every day (or walk/drive around every day!) so cot it must be…

I'm in the exact same boat with 7 month old! Only naps in sling, moving pram (has to be moving from a to b, not just back and forth!) or car seat. It's a bit of an inconvenience now if we have people round or we go to visit anyone... I have to whip the sling out for his nap. Otherwise I spend up to 2 hours pacing the streets with the pram. I've tried cot naps and he can do 30 mins if we follow the same routine as bed time, but I have no idea how to extend those cot naps!!

What would you do if your sling broke and you couldn't obtain a new one?

Thought I might update this for any future sling nappers

We now have most naps in the cot, she has her sleeping bag on and we have a cuddle while she winds down/groans, so she’s definitely getting drowsy on me still. I then put her down, she rolls over and sometimes groans some more then sleeps. Having to resettle at lunch (sometimes) with a cuddle, sometimes she sleeps c. 90 mins by herself.

It’s not exactly independent sleep…but she’s gradually needing less input and it’s been fairly tear free so far!