https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:41:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-536923 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:57:14 +0000 winniebee 536923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Do you have a swing? You could let her nap there once in a while so you get a break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-536035 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:37:47 +0000 PrincessBaby 536035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! There is a lot of great advice on here!</p> <p>I think I just got a little desperate about her nap schedule bc I solo parent weeks at a time with zero help while DH works offshore. Mommy just needs a break here and there, you know? Bu it looks like there's not a lot I can honestly do until she's older, but I'm def going to try BW!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-536021 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:30:05 +0000 Goldilocks1107 536021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were able to stop feeding/ rocking to sleep for naps at 6-7 months. Before that, if LO got started screaming, there was no stopping her until you soothed her.<br /> Each baby has its own schedule, and I learned quickly I was much less stressed if I just went with her schedule instead of trying to conform her to mine. And that included how she liked to go to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535895 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:13:56 +0000 winniebee 535895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also did eat play sleep....but my son only really slept in the swing until 16 weeks for naps. After that he learned some self soothing techniques and around 4 months i could put him down drowsy but awake - he would cry a little, but he would fall asleep. </p> <p>8 weeks is still really young and if it takes nursing or motion to get to sleep, I think that's ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535889 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:11:27 +0000 kml636 535889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is really hard. Naps are the worst. I put her down when she's tired (watch for yawns) in a swaddle sack, lights out, sound machine on. Lily takes a pacifier so that makes it a little easier. Even so, she still will fuss for a few minutes. I don't let her cry it out at this age but I give her a few minutes before running in there. A few rounds of this (its' exhausting) and she'll be asleep. The good news is that after she learns to sleep on her own, it will keep getting easier and easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535741 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:36:47 +0000 wheres_c 535741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: ugh we have the exact same issue, and he has noticed his hands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535733 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:28:12 +0000 QBbride 535733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 weeks is really young to expect a baby to self soothe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535614 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:57:26 +0000 littlek 535614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did eat, play, sleep. We never had an issue getting LO to nap or sleep but he was also 6 weeks premature and he slept a LOT. Some things that tend to help are swaddling and white noise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535572 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:43:45 +0000 PrincessBaby 535572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I will definitely try both...Thank you! </p> <p>@caffeinated: She just started kind of putting her fist in her mouth about 2 days ago...PLEASE let it turn into self-soothing!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535571 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:43:44 +0000 Freckles 535571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still rocked LO to sleep up until she was 4 months old, only because it took 1 minute of rocking. Before then i would just put my hand on her chest, and keep rubbing it until she calmed down. Then i would leave my hand there (still) and when she fell asleep i would leave the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535565 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:42:03 +0000 Freckles 535565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: It's usually when they discover their hands. Mine started self-soothing around the 3 month mark, and that's when her naps got better! I kept her swaddled, but left one arm out so she could suck her fingers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535557 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:36:36 +0000 Mrs. Pen 535557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What if you laid her in her crib while she's drowsy and rub her belly/chest gently, would that soothe her to sleep? Then over a weeks time you begin to decrease the amount of time you soothe her by rubbing her tummy. Some babies prefer patting.</p> <p>Or you can try the cradle: cradle her in your arms, swaying gently, and lower yourself over her crib (it's still high at this point so hopefully you can do this), keeping your arms around her but allowing her body to lay on the bed. slowly and gently pull your arms away once she has put herself to sleep.</p> <p>good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535547 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:32:23 +0000 PrincessBaby 535547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: I didn't know they learned to self-soothe at 3 months! Why? Is that when they discover hands/thumbs or something?</p> <p>@NovBaby1112: Definitely getting the BW ASAP... My LO does like to turn on her side too but I always start her on her back...So that's something for me to re-evaluate..Thank you!</p> <p>@Thehistoryofus: I hope she gets more scheduled soon!</p> <p>@sandy: Thank you so much!</p> <p>@runsyellowlites: I need to remember that about the milestones:)</p> <p>@mrsjyw: I'm going to download BC now..I've been meaning to do that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535523 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:13:50 +0000 mrsjyw 535523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: same for us too! white noise is KEY! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535518 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:11:03 +0000 MrsRcCar 535518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we put N down for a nap, without feeding, we have to make sure that we use a white noise machine. N takes a paci too though. Sleep would not happen without the white noise maching though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535504 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:06:33 +0000 mrsjyw 535504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we follow the eat sleep play cycle and DS (almost 10 wks) is pretty spot on, sometimes it gets mixed up, but i keep track of his feeding/dipe/nap schedule on baby connect and when his awake time has hit 1.5 - 2 hours; i swaddle him and put him in the pack n play with white noise... usually he just passed out if he fusses a lil, i give him a paci and then he passes out. </p> <p>Sometimes he falls asleep in the bouncer for a quick nap.</p> <p>PS-- white noise (we use an app on ipad right now, just ordered the marpac dohm) is our MAGIC KEY for when he's fussy and kicking around in the swaddle... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535497 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:04:26 +0000 runsyellowlites 535497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed &amp; rocked P to sleep until she decided she didn't want to be anymore. 6 months for bedtime &amp; 7.5 months for naptime. Until 5 months the girl was practically attached to me (I called her my joey) &amp; until 6 months I napped WITH her or she wouldn't nap. Now she goes down on her own, takes decent 1-2.5 hr long naps, &amp; is starting to go longer stretches at night (most nights). We're in the non-CIO camp &amp; have really let P lead as to what she was ready &amp; able to do in regards to sleep.... Figure just like any other milestone, just because she's in the age range of being able to doesn't mean she's ready.</p> <p>I promise, before you know it your lo will be ready &amp; she won't need any help falling asleep. It'll be a bittersweet day... I know I totally got sad the day P didn't want to be rocked for her nap. It was the beginning of the end. :-/ lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535495 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:02:35 +0000 sandy 535495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I read Baby Whisperer, Babywise, momsoncall and Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. We followed the Eat, Activity (play), Sleep routine from the beginning (mostly it's eat, diaper change, sleep as a newborn)...and it worked great for us. By 10 weeks she had it down and could go down for naps by herself...bedtime was a bit harder to figure out without rocking, etc. </p> <p>Here is a post where I talked about how I magically discovered what it meant to out a baby to sleep "drowsy but awake"...as a pp mentioned there is definitely a window for young babies where they are able to fall asleep (even if they fuss or squirm for a few minutes)...I had been missing that window early on and an overtired baby would just cry. My LO is 14 months now and has always been a great sleeper...</p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-for-putting-baby-down-drowsy-at-bedtime" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-for-putting-baby-down-drowsy-at-bedtime</a></p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535488 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:53:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 535488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I remember thinking around the same time that we showed no signs of a schedule and then by 12 weeks when I went back to work she was in a good schedule naturally on her own. Give it some time!! You are doing great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535481 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:50:26 +0000 NovBaby1112 535481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a similar problem for naps about a month ago..Lo is 11 weeks now. I would nurse and rock her but as soon as she left my arms she was up. I second the baby whisperer...you need to find her optimal awake time and follow her sleepy cues, as it is easier to get then down. I also do a routine for naps similar to nightime....white noise, lights off, song....and can now put her to sleep drowsy and not fully asleep. One thing that has also helped is having her nap on her tummy or side, she hateees her back and wakes up a lot more on her back. But we have a vid monitor and I watch it like a hawk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535460 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:38:56 +0000 immabeetoo 535460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our ped and most of what I've read says not to stress until at least 3 months when they develop self soothing. Other than that I've got nothin! My LO doesn't cry for a while if he wakes when I put him down but he just rolls around flapping amd cooing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535448 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:35:19 +0000 hilsy85 535448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: ahh gotcha. We didn't have that problem, as L would usually stay asleep once we put him down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535445 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:33:26 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 535445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 8 weeks, I thought it was too early to get her to sleep without some sort of soothing. She usually nursed to sleep, or sometimes we would rock her. Even at 1 year, we still usually give her a bottle before putting her to bed. We are starting to transition away from that by making sure she's fed and changed before nap time, and then just reading a book and holding her before we lay her in the crib. But, back to your original question, I wouldn't worry about it too much. 8 weeks is so young - just give them comfort at that age :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535444 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:32:52 +0000 PrincessBaby 535444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Well a real problem is that I'll nurse her to sleep, but the minute I put her down either in the crib or the swing, she wakes up and starts fussing and I wish I knew how to salvage the nap without her waking up and staying up:( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535437 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:30:36 +0000 PrincessBaby 535437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JessLC: @betsyboop: Thank you! I have not read the baby whisperer but I will be doing that ASAP! I really need her to improve on the napping,... I feel like there's no control or schedule at all and I thought we'd naturally all into a schedule as she got older but I don't really see any patterns forming so I'm ready to take the reins here!</p> <p>@chopsuey119: I wish!!! She ends up screaming bloody murder! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535432 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:29:18 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 535432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son didn't start putting himself to sleep until he was eleven months old but I also wasn't trying to do any sort of sleep schedule. Just one day I fed him a bottle, he squirmed in my arms, fed up I put him in his crib and walked away and boom - he was out in ten minutes. Now that's the way he prefers to fall asleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535425 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:27:05 +0000 hilsy85 535425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We still rock to sleep...however, once he started taking/liking his paci, then it became easier to put him down somewhat awake, as he could use it to help get himself to sleep. I think for 8 wks old, needing help falling asleep is really normal! :) I wouldn't really worry about it until she's at least 3 months old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535420 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:25:18 +0000 chopsuey 535420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO fusses a little and ends up falling asleep.<br /> Sometimes he'll cry softly for a minute or two before passing out.<br /> If he's gassy, has a wet/dirty diaper or his belly isn't completely full he'll keep crying and I'll take care of whatever's bothering him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535415 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:23:58 +0000 betsyboop 535415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you read Baby Whisperer? She talks about this in her book, and I found her tips incredibly helpful when it came to putting my LO down when she was around your LO's age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-babies-down-for-nap-wo-nursing-or-rocking-to-sleep#post-535408 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:22:10 +0000 SleepyMonkey 535408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>so i was obsessed with LO's naps in the past few weeks...i would suggest a couple things - there are optimal wake times for most babies. at 8 weeks it is probably an hour or less. it will make it easier for her to fall asleep on her own if you can get her down around or before that time. too long of a wake time will make it hard for her to fall asleep without some soothing from you. establish a nap routine...swaddle, a little song followed by what the baby whisperer suggests as sitting. i sit with my LO positioned vertically over my shoulder and just hold her and sit still for like 5-10 minutes. no patting, rocking, or anything. for some reason it helps relax the baby and make her "ready" for sleep. she squirms a bit and sometimes cries a bit, but tires herself out most of the time and gets sleepy. then put her down drowsy but awake in the crib.</p> <p>not sure if you knew any of that or are already doing it. but that's what worked for us...not sure if i'm just lucky or it really works. </p>