Nap struggles

[mle106]

Just when I thought we had found our sleep stride, LO decides at 8 weeks that daytime naps are no longer necessary. From what I've read, it's typical for the age because he's no longer a newborn who can sleep anytime anywhere, but not yet old enough to soothe and put himself to sleep. Which means even though he shows signs of sleepiness and is clearly tired, he fights it tooth and nail. At the first signs, we go upstairs into a (relatively) dark room to slow things down - rocking, gentle bouncing, etc. If he finally does pass out, it's usually after at least 30 minutes of this, and he only sleeps for about 20 minutes, if that. A little longer if I'm holding him, but not by much.

He was napping in a non-moving swing, which is where he sleeps at night too. Today though, I just needed a break and put him in the moving swing, and he passed out there while I was in the shower. We don't swaddle him because he's always fought it and does better free.

i know it's a kid's job to throw a wrench into things once we as parents get used to them, but sheesh is this frustrating. Anyone else struggling with daytime sleep?

ETA: he's EBF. He sleeps pretty well at night, 3-4 hours at a time usually, with the occasional 5-6 hour stretch, for which I am very thankful!

[mrszee]

Yup, just when I think we have established a pattern, dd drops a nap or does it at a different time. I have also been trying to put her in her crib so she can get used to it which messes things up sometimes too. Can't wait for the 4 month sleep regression!!

[osumegs]

Yes! Dd sleeps like a dream at night, so dh and I have been thankful for that. She stopped napping though around 7 weeks (she'll be 9w tomorrow). She will only nap being held or in a carrier. I spent 2 hours yesterday trying to put her down following the start of her sleepy signals with no luck (swaddled). Anyone have advice or is this just a phase?

[osumegs]

mrszee we are trying the crib for naps, too, as of this week. She instantly wakes up. Does yours do the same or is it just shorter naps?

[mrszee]

osumegs, she really only goes like 20 minutes in the crib unless it is her "big" snooze which usually happens in the afternoon and for an hour or two. So far today I think she has been in her crib twice and only made it 20 minutes or less. I think I need to put a sound machine in there.

I will say I wore her yesterday for like two hours when she wouldn't nap away from me and she fell right asleep.

[mishka29]

Sign me up for the crappy napper club!

I've been feeding LO to sleep since she was born. Of course she likes to keep the nipple in her mouth the whole time. She also naps in the car so that's nice break for my nipples. If you do rock her to sleep you can't put her down or she wakes up.

Today has been our worst nap day yet...20 min cat naps all day. But at least she's not too crabby.

[junebugjam]

Mine naps frequently but they're short. I've been trying to keep him up a little longer in hopes the naps will string together, but he just gets progressively more miserable and the naps don't get much longer.

He did take a short nap this afternoon and when he woke I fed him and put him back to sleep (because I was tired and wanted my own nap!) thinking he'd sleep maybe another 30 minutes and he slept 2 more hours! What a pleasant surprise when I woke up from my nap, but long naps are few and far between.

He's napping now even though it's 7 pm and I'd rather he not, but it's just not worth the screaming. He napped at 7:30 last night and still slept ok overnight so I'm hoping for same. We have no nap schedule but I wish we did. I just can't seem to get him consistent.

I've been trying crib/cradle for naps too but with limited success. Some days go well, others he lasts 5 minutes.

[mle106]

What a relief. I know it won't help our kiddos sleep any better, but it sure helps me feel better to know that others are going through the same thing!

[RedGiant]

Ugh, we are also on the crappy nap train. It doesn't seem to matter where I put her down (crib, bassinet, bouncy chair) she didn't get long naps. At least for the past few days. The only success is when I'm wearing her in a carrier. Which sometimes works of I'm taking DS to the playground or playing outside.

[toadandbuggie]

I'm also putting LO down to nap in the crib during the day with hopes for a smoother transition. He won't nap long, maybe 30 minutes or so if I'm lucky.

I miss the days where they could just pass out anywhere and sleep peacefully. It's hard to keep the house quiet enough so that he doesn't wake up (like my dog barking like a psycho at a leaf blowing by).

We still have no schedule but I haven't been trying to set one. When LO is really fussy and I know it's because he's tired we jump in the car and I try to do some errands so he's getting a nice nap in.

[greenpony33]

I thought I had the only LO who didn't sleep longer than 45 min to an hr during the day but apparently I'm not :-) I am guessing it's an age issues and as they learn and grow it will get better; at least that's what I am guessing cause older babies usually nap better, right? At least that's what's keeping me going. It is reassuring to hear that we're all in the same boat when it comes to naps.

[2mrsks (mrs&mrsk)]

Apr 16, 2015 14:09:16 GMT -5 osumegs said:

Yes! Dd sleeps like a dream at night, so dh and I have been thankful for that. She stopped napping though around 7 weeks (she'll be 9w tomorrow). She will only nap being held or in a carrier. I spent 2 hours yesterday trying to put her down following the start of her sleepy signals with no luck (swaddled). Anyone have advice or is this just a phase?

omg we started having this problem this week too. AND he wakes up crying. cries basically 7am to 6pm then off & on from 6pm-bedtime. then fine all night. What is this!!!! 

[2mrsks (mrs&mrsk)]

Apr 16, 2015 14:07:43 GMT -5 mrszee said:

Yup, just when I think we have established a pattern, dd drops a nap or does it at a different time. I have also been trying to put her in her crib so she can get used to it which messes things up sometimes too. Can't wait for the 4 month sleep regression!!

we started trying to move into the crib at 6wk but then no naps happened .... hoping for a change so we can transition before/during when he learns to soothe himself to sleep

[osumegs]

Apr 17, 2015 13:09:48 GMT -5 2mrsks (mrs&mrsk) said:

Apr 16, 2015 14:07:43 GMT -5 mrszee said:

Yup, just when I think we have established a pattern, dd drops a nap or does it at a different time. I have also been trying to put her in her crib so she can get used to it which messes things up sometimes too. Can't wait for the 4 month sleep regression!!

we started trying to move into the crib at 6wk but then no naps happened .... hoping for a change so we can transition before/during when he learns to soothe himself to sleep

I'm with you on that! I'd rather have something semi permanent (the crib) in place prior to the sleep regression hitting. DD has finally started sleeping in crib for her first stretch of the night this week, but no napping in there.

[anchovies]

When does this self soothing period happen??

We have a horrible napped too. He will fall asleep on my boob, but I can't seem to transition him seamlessly during the day. He has no problem falling asleep in his car seat. He usually cries for a bit and then I see him drift off, and he will happily sleep in there for 3.5+ hours.

And he's not great at night either. Idk what to do.