How to get baby to nap in cot?

[B65]

My 5 1/2 month old sleeps well overnight and seems to be able to self settle after a feed overnight. During the day it’s completely different, she can’t fall asleep anywhere but on me. I can put her in her cot asleep and she will wake after 30mins.

Has anyone got any tips on how to get her into her cot drowsy? If she’s slightly awake as soon as she touches the mattress, her eyes are wide open and she’s kicking her legs etc.

Just wanted to say I sympathise, it’s tough, and I’m sorry I don’t have any tips except time… which I appreciate is not what you want to hear but mine didn’t start sleeping in his cot until about 8-9 months for naps. I appreciate it’s a bit stressful and you can’t get much done but I guess just try and enjoy the snuggles? Also 30 mins is not that unusual for naps at that age, mine was over 12 months before he started sleeping for longer than 45 mins, but now sleeps for 1.5-2 hours at age 2.

I’m also not sure the drowsy but awake thing is really good advice, I think it works for some babies but not others. Not because of anything you are doing, just that they are all different!

Never once managed it with 2 children I'm afraid, I just embraced naps in the pram and took the opportunity to walk a lot.

Thanks both! At least I know I’m not alone in the situation! I’ll make the most of contact naps instead 😂

Yes enjoy the cuddles! A friend’s baby would ONLY sleep when she was not being held, she just wanted her own space, and not because of anything they had done that was just her. And as great as that is in some ways, I think my friend felt she missed out a bit on the cuddle time! A happy medium would be nice, though!

I did cot training with mine. It's worse for the first 3/4 days and then it's bliss

Ooh, how did you do that?

My older boy never napped in the cot. Eventually I got him to nap in his buggy so that I could get some bits done while he slept