Putting down to nap

[CK22x2]

Hi all, my daughter is 5 months old and up until now we have only contact napped, which is fine and I love the cuddles but would love just one nap a day to be in her next to me. She is definitely not a baby that can be put down “drowsy but awake”. I’ve tried the first nap of the day, dark room (as dark as it will go but not completely dark) white noise. Feeding her until she’s drowsy and then rocking her in my arms, then keeping still for a few mins so it’s not from movement to complete stillness. But the second I put her down, her eyes spring open and she’s wide awake again. I would then have to start the whole rocking process again. Any advice please?

Would she sleep in a stationary buggy instead? Mine loved buggy naps so I'd bring it inside, rock it til they were asleep and they'd stay asleep at least 30 mins, so I'd get a break. Mine never had a cot nap til she was over 12 months, never seemed worth the hassle!

I’ll give this a go, thank you! We have only just managed to get pushchair naps while out for a walk because she hated the bassinet so this is definitely an option. Thank you!

You could also try a Rokit, I got a second hand one on Vinted. Sometimes kept baby asleep longer!

Yes, I meant to say this actually. Ours is in the loft so will get it out this weekend and give it a go 🤞🏻
The last two nights she has gone to sleep 100x quicker for dad so I think she might be having me on haha! Going to see if dad can manage a none contact nap over the weekend and if she does it, I’ll know she really is winding me up for the milk! 😂

Rather than rocking her, then stopping, then putting her down, try rocking her, putting her down but continuing to pat or rock her in the cot until she's asleep.

Thank you, I will try this too!