https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:40:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap/page/2#post-855956 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:55:19 +0000 Mrs. Blue 855956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Day time sleep is the bane of my existence. The boys are not fans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855699 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:31:41 +0000 chopsuey 855699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Chen: haha. they sleep well now, but his night time sleep has been off since he hit 5 months. some nights he wakes 1-3x. when i put him down he usually doesn't fuss. He will do a tired whining as he's falling asleep sometimes though.<br /> He did quite a bit of crying back in the day when my kids went to bed at the same time. He had to wait/sometimes cry like crazy while I was putting his sister down. So happy those days are behind us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855677 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:26:02 +0000 shopaholic 855677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Chen: Thanks. She totally does the arching back thing. I like it "zen state!" </p> <p>Update: She stayed in the swing for almost an hour and napped for almost 1/2 hr after I fed her. I'll call that a win for today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855664 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:23:19 +0000 dolphin 855664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: does your DS fuss or cry before knocking out in his PNP? it seems like both your little ones are such great sleepers! soooo jealous!!! lol!</p> <p>@shopaholic: no advice here. at 5.5 months, i'm still trying to figure out the nap thing myself! usually after she's been up for 2 hours, i'll see tired signs and i'll rock her to sleep. she usually fights it though and would CRY and arch her back like crazy. i just close my eyes and get into my zen state and continue to rock her until she passes out. and then i end up holding her because if i put her down she wakes up. or if i'm successful in putting her down, she will only nap for 30 minutes. ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855602 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:09:34 +0000 hilsy85 855602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: yup he loved it....we would put him in it swaddled and he would sleep for at least an hour. Then that stopped working....so honestly everything was kind of just "survival" until we nap trained around 5 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855573 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:56 +0000 loveisstrange 855573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Until 4 months, she was a catnapper and would only sleep in the swing. I nap trained her at 4 months using a combo of a strict schedule and CIO. She went down swaddled until 6 months. We didour nighttime routine minus the bath before every nap.</p> <p>For a couple weeks, she fought HARD. She eventually got better and was a great napper after. She started fighting again around a year, when she started only wanting 1 nap. Now, she just has a set time period she spends in the crib in the afternoon. If she naps, great and she can sleep until she wakes up or until 4:30, whichever comes first. We then do bedtime at 7-7:30. If she decides to stay awake, she stays in the crib from 1-3:30 and then I let her out and she goes to bed at 6:30. She never cries during that time, just talks and bangs around and generally causes a ruckus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855266 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:00:08 +0000 sslm 855266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Swaddle and nursing gets her down in her crib for 1 nap a day. Other things I try are the car and the stroller. I try to make sure she gets a nap after a maximum of 2 hours awake! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-855220 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:49:30 +0000 shopaholic 855220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaineysMom: Tried that before when I was so desperate for a nap myself. :(</p> <p>@tysonja: @birdofafeather: @blackbird: @BKCaribBaby: K has been totally swaddle-weaned for a couple of weeks (on her demand) and won't take a paci. I can't wait to just be able to put her down drowsy because I know she's tired - just fights it. Luckily she is already self-soothing with her hands these days. </p> <p>@hilsy85: @lavender: @Adira: @hergreenapples: @NovBaby1112: @oliviaoblivia: @mrs. wagon: All your babies loved the swing? Ah! K has only "tolerated" it for most of her life. She's been fighting the swing, bouncy chair, basically ANY kind of sitting contraption. But I just nursed her for 1/2 hr till she passed out. But of course she woke as soon as I moved, so I'm trying the swing again now as I type. She's completely awake, but at least not trying to "pop" out if it as usual!</p> <p>@regberadaisy: You mean your baby is super easy for everyone else but you too? lol! ;)</p> <p> @scg00387: @mrsjyw: @chopsuey119: Thank You! I think this is what I need to do. Establish a nap routine (for at least one nap of the day). I wasn't sure if people used sleep sacks for naps too. But minus the rocking... she just falls asleep laying there? Sounds too good to be true!</p> <p>Just have to say I'm so grateful for HB'ers on stuff like this. Other people just make it seem so easy and like your issues aren't normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-854011 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:36:58 +0000 mrs. wagon 854011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were all about the swing until sleep training! Luckily both my kids love the crib so once they were STTN, they liked napping in their cribs. But that wasn't til we sleep trained at 4.5 months for Wagon Jr. and LMW was STTN consistently at 8 months. </p> <p>When I was home full time with Wagon Jr., his naps happened 1) in his boppy on the bed next to me while I watched tv, 2) downstairs in the bouncy chair, 3) downstairs in the swing, and 4) in his carseat driving around. Every single day! </p> <p>With LMW it was all about the swing until one day she took a 6 hour nap in the swing. Haha. So we switched to the rock n play. Then switched to the crib once she was older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-854006 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:36:01 +0000 chopsuey 854006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When DS gives me his tired cues, I'll feed him, burp, turn his sound machine on and lay him in his pnp.<br /> He usually passes out within 1-20 mins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853995 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:33:25 +0000 mrsjyw 853995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have a sound machine (diff than his nighttime one) that we turn on, we give him his A&amp;A sec blanket, and lay him down. He fusses sometimes or plays by himself, and usually passes out. Sometimes he fights them hardcore.</p> <p>He naps in the PNP downstairs... sleeps at nighttime in his room crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853926 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:20:51 +0000 2PeasinaPod 853926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 3 months, LO would be tough to get to sleep for naps! We would swaddle and then bounce on the exercise ball with his binky. Once he was asleep, we'd lay him in the crib, but there were times he woke up and we would have to re-bounce him! Such a hard time!</p> <p>We found that S never wanted to sleep right after he ate. We would feed him, he would play for an hour to an hour and a half and then be ready to go down. If we missed the window, he would get overtired and fight sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853880 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:12:56 +0000 Weagle 853880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO was definitely like that. Except she would nurse to sleep, but wake as soon as she hit the crib. So, at 10 weeks we started letting her nap on her belly, and it worked! Obviously, I don't think that's right for every parent and baby, but LO had awesome head control and I checked on her constantly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853856 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:15 +0000 immabeetoo 853856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had rough patches around then too - sometimes I would set a goal of at least 1 nap in the crib and some days I was so worn down I always let him sleep on me. It was a phase, like everything else, and got better. I just kept trying the crib until eventually it stuck.</p> <p>We had a nap routine at the same time we had a bedtime routine - sleep sack &amp; blankie, read a book or two, close the curtains, light off, sound machine on, and then rocking. Now it's the same, minus the rocking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853758 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:46:24 +0000 BKCaribBaby 853758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to swaddle and rock her to sleep, which can work in a matter of minutes. BUT I pretty much have to hold her most time if I want her to nap. It's rare that I get to put her down. It's hard and I'm trying to fix it 'cause I need two hands and some time during the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853677 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:29:07 +0000 regberadaisy 853677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>*hangshead* Boob. And she's 13 months!</p> <p>At daycare they rocked her and now they just put her in the crib. But at home if I did that she will SCREAM bloody murder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853671 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:26:38 +0000 oliviaoblivia 853671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>L gets her longest naps in the swing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853669 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:25:44 +0000 NovBaby1112 853669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for the first 8 weeks or so i couldn't put her down for naps, she would wake up instantly, plus she hated the swing so that didnt work. so i did a lot of baby wearing and holding her. around then i tried nursing/rocking to sleep and then laying her down on her belly in her crib, and she actually napped good and didn't wake up the moment i put her down! i know its not recommended, but it worked for us and i just watched her like crazy on the monitor. i know you mentioned nursing her to sleep doesn't work- have you tried doing a nap routine and THEN nursing to sleep? the nap routing will be a clue that sleep is coming soon, and the nursing would maybe knock her out? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853617 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:15:57 +0000 heartonastring 853617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nurse to drowsy and pop her in her swing. I feel like we're creating a monster by putting her in her swing to nap all the time, but I don't really care right now because it works. She naps 2 hours at a time and I have to wake her up to eat (she's 7 weeks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853453 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:07:59 +0000 Adira 853453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a swing? That's how we got Xander to take decent naps during the day. We could put him in it while he was awake and he'd just be captivated with the little mirror/mobile it has, and eventually he'd just fall asleep! I realize that might not work for every baby though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853391 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:22:00 +0000 lavender 853391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The swing was a lifesaver for me, I was able to get 1-2 hr naps from it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853366 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:01:13 +0000 blackbird 853366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to work on this, too! We started using white noise to help her make the association. We're also swaddling for naps. It's hard b/c i am leaving the house more at 9 weeks pp so that makes it especially tough. I was told to check out Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby but i haven't read it yet.</p> <p>The ped says daycare will also help. I hope so! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853355 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:49:38 +0000 hilsy85 853355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age we used the swing, or he slept in the stroller, or I rocked him to sleep. Now at almost 8 months I nurse and then put him in his crib with his lovey. SO nice to be able to do that and walk away but it was a long Time to get here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853279 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:01:19 +0000 bunnylove08 853279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dd is 8 months old. We have to put her to sleep. Bottle while cuddling and when she's asleep binky and pray no loud noises or cat meows wakes her up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853273 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:54:06 +0000 Smurfette 853273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I knew!! R wakes up when we put hr down for naps too. She will nap for one-two hours on weekend mornings with DH, then just as soon as we put her down, eyes open. Yesterday at day care, she took 15, 20, 20, and 60 min nap. That is it for the whole nap. She fell asleep in the car, so then took a 25 min nap on the way home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853253 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:13:05 +0000 aprk 853253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A is the same way. He'll take a fairly good nap if I lay with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853241 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:53:53 +0000 Silva 853241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm just so glad we aren't the only ones! Haha!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853230 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:42:30 +0000 sunny 853230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had the exact same scenario... great night sleeper and horrible napper, though it wasn't until 4.5 months that my LO slept through the night. </p> <p>Until 7-8 months, most of her naps were in the stroller, carrier, car seat or on my chest. She would not nap in the crib at all. Also like K, anytime I stopped the stroller/car or put her down, she would instantly wake up and scream. Eventually I got to the point where I could shut off my engine if we were in the car, but I couldn't open the doors because she would hear it! I caught up on my games and texting then.</p> <p>At around 8 months we started being able to put her in the crib for naps during the day and she would cry 1-2 min and then pass out and sleep for 30-60 min. </p> <p>You'll get there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853198 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:02:44 +0000 birdofafeather 853198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 3 months, we swaddled, rocked and put a paci in with white noise for almost every nap (besides car, stroller, or baby carrier naps). Once she found her hand last month, we swaddled with her hand up and rocked. Starting less than a week ago at 5 months, we now put the swaddle sleep sack wrapped around her belly, close the blinds, turn on the white noise, say "see you after your nap!" And then put her in her cosleeper and she falls asleep. It was a game changer. Frees up so much time! I never thought the day would come when she could fall asleep from totally awake and I don't know if it will last, but it pretty awesome. Honestly, it was a lot if trial and error! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-baby-to-nap#post-853165 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:28:58 +0000 tysonja 853165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh my goodness we had this problem too! great night time falling asleep and horrible naptimes around month 2 and 3. what worked for us was swaddle+paci+a little bit of CIO. but mostly just putting the paci back in over and over again. after a few weeks of doing this we could just swaddle, paci and leave the room and it's been smooth sailing ever since! maybe it's that magic 3-4 months stage where they get better at self soothing. :) </p>