Baby only sleeping in carrier - help!

[Newbornmamma]

Hi everyone - just me again asking for help again!
To put it mildly, my 3.5 month old is a horrific sleeper (compounded by reflux/ colic issues). Until now the only way he has ever slept in the day is in the carrier whilst I bounce/ walk or - with greatest success - bounce on an exercise ball. Apart from the odd time drifting off in the car (after huge screaming fit) he has never slept anywhere else. My next to me crib has never been used.

its really starting to get me down that my friends babies are sleeping soundly in their cribs whilst their mums can get things done and I have to do this routine for every single nap. I guess I’m asking 1) is this still quite normal for some babies? What are your experiences and 2) how/ when might I even start to think about changing this scenario. At this age he must surely be starting to form sleep associations

Both of mine only ever slept on me (mainly in my wrap around sling while I got on with things) during the day. They also only slept if on me at night so we co-slept. The wrap around sling was my best purchase as it meant I could actually do things during the day while they slept. Ideal? No. But it was what worked for us. Good luck x

Thank you! Yes, we co sleep at night too. I actually enjoy this and don’t view it as an issue but the day time sleep is quite a challenge. He is such a light sleeper that even trying to get on with tasks whilst he’s in the sling is hard. It’s all a phase I’m sure!

What sort of sling have you got? I found the cloth ones great for tucking them in with their head snuggled against my breast that they'd sleep heavily x

I had the Kari Me sling x

My eldest daughter was like this and had severe reflux and was awful at napping. It did get easier and around 6 months would start napping in her cot, only for about 45 mins to start with, then would finish the nap on me but those 45 mins were amazing after months of sling and contract naps. About 7 months she didn't want to sleep on me anymore and has been an amazing napper ever since.
I've just had my second and she also prefers sling naps, I'm trying to stress less about it this time as I know it Will improve, but definitely agree it isn't easy.

Totally normal. Both of mine were like this too. You just have to rid eit out if you can. Also, I wish I'd compared myself less to other mums. Babies are all so different in their temperaments and needs. Good luck.

Maybe the first thing to work on is doing carrier naps that work better for you. So, bounce him to sleep but then do some jobs once he's asleep? My two month old has most naps in the carrier, he often opens his eyes and then goes back to sleep. So if he seems to wakes briefly when you stop bouncing, it doesn't necessarily mean the nap has ended iyswim.

My eldest was like yours - I walked and walked! All winter. At 4ish months I decided she needed naps in the cot! I had the most success changing the first nap of the day first. I think she only had very short sleeps the first couple of times, but they do catch on.

Maybe start the nap co-sleeping and then do a job in the same room? And work up to the cot.

Good luck!

Is the reflux being treated? Any chance of CMPA making this worse? Have you tried all the advice for managing reflux eg cot on incline, holding upright after feeds? I had a similar baby that would only settle on her side....I did this for supervised naps. Could this work to get her used to being in the cot. I also worried about sleep associations, and when she got bigger carrying the sling became difficult (I'm petite with a long baby!). Also have you tried a dummy as this helps reflux I believe?