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I nurse to sleep and hold her for naps... 7.5 months. So I'll be interested to see some ideas!

Stroller or carseat nap? That's what I've resorted to. No real break for mama, but at least LO gets some rest.

I am having the same predicament with my 11 month old. I'm not anti-CIO, it just isn't practical since he's in daycare most days and we just can't create a consistent naptime routine or environment. Yesterday he was a maniac at nap time, after 40 minutes of trying to get him down, we went out in the stroller and he was out in 10 minutes.

@Mrs.Someone: Posting to follow. We have done the exact same thing as you. Our daughter is now 8 months old and fights nap AND bedtime. I normally just held her and sang a few songs and she conked out, easy peasy. Now she still conks out but cries/screams for about 5-10 minutes while really trying to fight sleep. It is so stressful but I am at a loss as to what to do now. CIO is not for me.

Will he eventually sleep if he plays in his crib? I know it sucks to wait but if he's not upset it might be worthwhile and he will practice putting himself to sleep.

Could be ready to spce naps out a bit more too.

We used to nurse to sleep and then after that we'd cuddle to sleep (we'd lay in my bed until she fell asleep and then I'd move her into her crib), and then after that we started a bedtime routine (read/rock/lullaby/crib). There were a few nights that she wouldn't settle and I'd sit in her room until she fell asleep so I could calm her if needed (pat her back, etc).

we stuck to our nap / bedtime routine and were literally ALWAYS home for naptime to start on time. diaper change, sleep sack, books, white noise on, lay in crib....then for a few weeks I would stand by the crib and pat /rub his back and shush until he laid his head down and seemed relaxed.. if he settled I would leave and say "i'll see you after nap". we would let him "fuss" but not cry for up to 3-5 minutes. if he got truly upset I would go back in and pat/shush, etc. he finally figured out that he could easily get me back if needed and then stopped needing it at all and he eventually started just laying his head down as soon as I put him in. he loves his crib now!

I think some people have posted about slowly moving towards less and less intervention.....that's what I would try! even if you have to stand and pat for 20 minutes the first few times, its better than rocking forever and you'll be able to move towards less and less.

I think we basically did what @charlotte: did, though starting it around 3 months. But we have to take a step back every once in a while (the day after I work a 14 hr shift she needs a bit more hand holding to sleep, always helps the mommy guilt!). I think having the white noise as a super consistent cue is key. We joke that when she gets to the real ocean she'll fall asleep!

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