Naps: what's your secret?

Question

Any mamas with difficult nappers figure out a way to get your baby to nap in a location that isn't you? I've tried putting my LO down for a nap at first sign of sleepiness, in that drowsy state, deep sleep, in both the rock n play and crib, but he wakes up within minutes. I try to let him settle, but he just cries. The only place he can take a substantial nap is on me, which means I can't get anything else done during the day and have no breaks because I'm always feeding, changing, entertaining, or acting as a sleep vessel.
Any tips on techniques that have worked for you?

Answer

I personally haven’t been successful in the putting to sleep drowsy technique but my pediatrician said you want to do it for naps after they’ve been awake for about 45 mins and are still “happy” but getting drowsy but before they start to get too fussy. He also said at this age it likely won’t work if you don’t swaddle them. So try using a swaddle if you haven’t. Also he said try to do it for their first naps of the day when they are still kind of sleepy. I personally just wait until he’s been sleeping on me for 20 mins and then put him down in his crib. He’ll give me about a 45 min-90 min nap with this method. Eventually I will try the drowsy technique again (didn’t work for us but I only tried once or twice).

Answer

the only way I've gotten it to work is with repetition, we have a cuddle and rock for a bit then as she dozes off I pop her in her swing for a nap. she usually wakes up once or twice and we repeat until she falls asleep for good and has a 2-3 hour nap

Answer

Crazy I’m reading this as I’m trying to put my little guy down for a very reluctant nap!! So bizarre, he’ll sleep at night in his crib and give me 5-6 hours then up every 2 after that...but during the day...no dice! I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only one battling this! Thanks mommas!

Answer

swaddle real life saver my baby is just like your been swaddling her and she sleeps great

Answer

My two ideas were taken...so I will elaborate. 
Swaddles - we have to double swaddle - baby wakes up in a single.  We have had luck with the miracle blanket, loves2swaddle and swaddleme (different kids) for the first swaddle followed by a Muslin blanket swaddled like they do at the hospital.
My daughter was struggling with gas - she needed to stretch her legs to get that sweet release, but she was getting too long for the swaddleme, so I looked on YouTube for arms only swaddle and found videos on a swaddling Technique where you swaddle the arms down and pull the blanket through the baby’s legs so the legs are free.  I use that technique for the first swaddle and then swaddle again like they do in the hospital.
There is also a swaddling Technique that is very similar to how the miracle blanket works - you use a tiny receiving blanket to swaddle the arms down and then swaddle with a regular blanket over top.  This Technique is also on YouTube.
Baby wearing - this does work, but it is kind of like being pregnant again.  Your hands are free, buy you are limited in your ability to bend and it feels like you have t-Rex arms.

Answer

My baby will only nap in a carrier which is fine with me because I bring her to work with me and there is no safe spot to lay her down.

Answer

I 100% agree with swaddling. swaddle- swaddle- swaddle. my baby boy used to be so bad for naps, but my mom showed me how to swaddle and it is the most amazing thing that's ever happened to us. we don't swaddle him unless we want him to sleep though- so at the first signs of drowsiness I swaddle him, give him a few min of cuddles, then lay him down in his crib. because I personally don't like the cry it out method, if he cries I go into the room and give him his pacifier but don't pick him up.
I've noticed lately he is escaping his swaddle so I've been double swaddling and it works like a charm.
I also pay close attention to how long hes been awake and try to get him in his crib before he starts showing signs of being tired. he can only seems to handle about an hour of awake time in between naps so I try to put him down in his crib about 10 min before the hour mark to avoid him getting over tired
my son is 2 months by the way.
I hope this helps some 😁

Answer

Same, girl. I have no advice. My son is napping on me right now. I’m just enjoying the cuddles for now because I’m sure I’ll miss it later. When I really have a lot to do I wear him and he naps in the carrier. I think I’ll try working on more of a routine in his crib in a month or so.

Naps: what's your secret?

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