Co-sleeping and napping problems

[motheroftheriver]

Hi everyone! I have a 5 month old little boy who co-sleeps with us. We hadn't originally planned on co-sleeping, but our little one wouldn't sleep anywhere else, and co-sleeping provided us all a great nights sleep! NOW WE LOVE IT, and won't do it any other way in the future He's a great sleeper, waking 1x per night to eat, but won't nap anywhere except on me or in a sling. We can't get him to take naps in his crib (the swing did work, but now he's too big for it). We've tried the "No Cry Sleep Solution" for naps, but even this proved to be too much for him and he began to wake 5x per night. If I am able to put him to sleep first, then place him in his crib (or anywhere else for that matter), he'll wake up very quickly and start crying. We've made the crib a happy place, but it still doesn't help. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks so much

[LindsC]

At that age I still had to nurse DD to sleep in our bed and then sneak out once she was asleep. I just made sure to put her in the middle of the bed or as close the wall as possible. She isn't much of a roller so I wasn't worried about her falling out, but always better to be safe than sorry.

[Katie T]

Yeah that's what I had/have to do as well, nurse them to sleep and sneak out. I have noticed when they fall asleep nursing and rocking that I have a certain window of time to lay them down or they will wake right back up. I have to lay them down 7 to 15 minutes after they fall asleep.

If laying and nursing him to sleep then sneaking out doesn't work have you tried getting him to sleep in the sling or however he likes best and then laying him down on the your bed so if he wakes you are right there to offer the breast till he falls back asleep?

[Cujobunny]

Originally Posted by LindsC

At that age I still had to nurse DD to sleep in our bed and then sneak out once she was asleep. I just made sure to put her in the middle of the bed or as close the wall as possible. She isn't much of a roller so I wasn't worried about her falling out, but always better to be safe than sorry.

Me too. Or just wear him for the whole nap if possible (but my dd only napped for about 20 mins at a time at that age )

[momma_bear]

Me too. I have a 9-month-old who hates to be in her crib. This is a problem for naps and evenings (i.e. until our bedtime when we're in bed with her). No suggestions at all as we are at wit's end.

[carrie a.]

try a replica of your bed on the floor of his room. that way it will be as close to your nighttime routine as possible and safe for him when you lrave the room.

[karika]

I always lie down with the baby at nap (especially before a year). Maybe not what people want, but it sure makes sure momma gets enough rest... I have puzzle magazines, tv remotes, snacks, water, computer, even a book so I never have to worry about what to do with my time. I use the time to meditate also. So, my trick to keeping them sleeping is to stay with them. I can get up sometimes for a few minutes (then right back to the bed), hard to explain, but you can tell when they are deeply asleep. And other times, I get up, knowing that will be like an alarm for her and she will wake a few minutes later (time enough to cut an onion or or whatever dinner prep requires both hands) and then I try to be back in the room when she wakes up.

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by LindsC

At that age I still had to nurse DD to sleep in our bed and then sneak out once she was asleep. I just made sure to put her in the middle of the bed or as close the wall as possible. She isn't much of a roller so I wasn't worried about her falling out, but always better to be safe than sorry.

My son is 27mo and this is still what we do for naps. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, eh?

If the bed is where your LO feels safe and comfortable sleeping, then why not let him nap there? There are lots of ways to make it safe for him while you are not in the room.

And 5 months is still young; things will change. It took a while for my son to be able to nap independently, too.

[momma_bear]

Originally Posted by karika

I always lie down with the baby at nap (especially before a year). Maybe not what people want, but it sure makes sure momma gets enough rest... I have puzzle magazines, tv remotes, snacks, water, computer, even a book so I never have to worry about what to do with my time. I use the time to meditate also. So, my trick to keeping them sleeping is to stay with them. I can get up sometimes for a few minutes (then right back to the bed), hard to explain, but you can tell when they are deeply asleep. And other times, I get up, knowing that will be like an alarm for her and she will wake a few minutes later (time enough to cut an onion or or whatever dinner prep requires both hands) and then I try to be back in the room when she wakes up.

Yes but the problem is if you have other older children at home. I don't have the luxury to spend nap times lying next to her because my older DD is waiting for my time and attention! She no longer naps and could not stay still for the duration of the nap.

[karika]

Originally Posted by momma_bear

Yes but the problem is if you have other older children at home. I don't have the luxury to spend nap times lying next to her because my older DD is waiting for my time and attention! She no longer naps and could not stay still for the duration of the nap.

I could see this being an issue. There is 5.5 yrs between my dds, and dd1 is still a bit jealous about the attention the baby gets. I just tell her she got the same attention when she was a baby. dd1 is doing other things while we nap. Sometimes I have dd2 take her nap lying on me on the couch, then dd1 and I can play cards or something. When we go in the bedroom, dd1 uses that time to watch tv shows I have recorded for her, read, or talk on the phone to her aunt. Now her dad is here full time because he is out of work, so he hangs with her. You either have to have them very close in age (or multiples), so they both nap still (though dd1 gave up naps at age 2, she sleeps 10-12 hrs at night) or far apart I guess for this to work, or live with other people that can be there while you nap with the baby, like a tribe (yes I am looking for tribe)... if I need dd1 close, I just keep her in the room with us as we nap, sometimes she does quiet enough things so I sleep, but I am usually awake at naps anyway, I just like being in the room/ bed with the sleeping baby...