4.5 month old hysterical if I try naps in crib

[mnie]

Help! FTM. My 4.5 month old sleeps really well at night (currently), feed to sleep then goes 9pm-7am most nights. I know feeding to sleep gets a bad rep but it’s working for us right now.
My issue is naps in the crib during the day, she just won’t do them. She’ll sleep on me, in the carrier, pram, car, just not in the crib.

I try feed, play, sleep, after about 2 hours and when she’s looking tired I put her down, dark room, white noise, sleepsuit (like we do at night). Try and soothe her in the crib by patting/shushing but she just becomes hysterical. It’s just so traumatic and I’m worried I’m doing to create such a negative association that she’ll be afraid to sleep in there at all.

What am I doing wrong?

Is she just not ready?

Should I just forget the crib for now and do naps on the go? I only really started because my mum and the health visitor said I should try and get her used to it.

Thank you in advance.

If she is happy in the carrier let her nap there. As long as you getting on with stuff around her isn’t disturbing her, that’s great. I wouldn’t let her nap on you. That is far greater a habit to break.
You will find when she starts childcare they are brilliant at getting them to nap in a cot!

Mine was like this. I stopped trying and accepted there were several other options - carrier, pram. 4.5months is still v young. Mine didn’t nap in cot til over a year and even then it wasn’t consistent.
I think the best advice is often do what works with the least stress, and know it will keep changing over time.

@Readytohealnow thank you. She’s due to start nursery in September so maybe I’ll wait until then 😅

@Zumbador thanks! It’s been so stressful the last few mornings trying to do it. She’s never really cried like that so really just don’t see how this is a positive for anyone. I’m quite happy letting her nap on the go because it’s means I can get out and do stuff rather than stay in a dark room all day with a crying baby. Just feel a pressure to do it because that’s what everyone says they should be doing.

They will cry getting used to the cot at nursery too, it's not like they have some magic secret method 😂

OP I wouldn't worry too much, try occasionally and just make sure you vary the method of getting her to sleep so she doesn't become completely reliant on one thing eg being on you!

To make her transition to nursery easier, start introducing sleep props now that she can take to nursery with her - comforters or dummies.
I would try working from naps in the pram outside to naps in the pram inside so she is at least accustomed to falling asleep inside and without movement.