If my 8 month old refuses to take a nap and I can tell he’s extremely tired, what should I do?

Question

I’ve never had this problem before, normally he falls asleep within minutes but for the past few days he refuses to nap, he’ll rub his eyes till they’re red but when I set him in his crib he just throws his paci on the floor and stands up and looks out. I’m exhausted and want a break so bad but he just won’t sleep and I feel so bad ignoring him when he’s alone in the room. he’s never fallen asleep that way anyways when I leave him he just cries louder and louder. Any tips ?😕

Answer

Take him for a car ride? That’s what we still have to do for our almost 3 year old when he refuses to nap and we know he’s tired

Answer

He sounds overtired, tomorrow I would try putting him down for a nap 30 minutes earlier that what you usually do and see if that helps.
Some milk before a nap should comfort him too and then just give him some time to get to sleep himself (10-20 minutes)

Answer

Can you calm him down somehow?
Usually I have to calm my four month old daughter down for her to accept she has to sleep. It's different what works. A walk in a stroller usually does the trick..

Answer

Since he's already so overtired I'd hug and rock him, maybe try reading a story. Next time just try to get a nap in earlier.

Answer

Maybe go for a walk before nap time, maybe doing that little something different will wear him out a bit (more to look at/ focus on) and then put him down right after. I find I almost have to wear my son out a little bit more to get him to nap.

Answer

Leave him to cry it out. Sounds cruel but if his crib is safe, room is safe, etc then there is no reason a 8 month old can’t put themselves to sleep. 
And there is no way they can go the entire day without napping which means they will fall asleep closer to bed time and completely screw up their night time sleep pattern which will make this so much worse. 
If CIO isn’t something you feel you can do then you can do a modified version. You basically go in every few minutes. Comfort him. Give back his pacifier then leave. Next time wait longer then go back in and comfort. Rinse repeat.

If my 8 month old refuses to take a nap and I can tell he’s extremely tired, what should I do?

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