I would love to be able to put this baby down for a nap, any tips?

[Friday13th]

DS2 is 5 months now and will only nap in a carrier or at the breast.  Which is exactly how DS1 was but it's significantly less practical with a 3 year old running around needing attention.  DS1 was eventually (by 6 months, I think) okay with being nursed down in bed and left there but DS2 freaks out and wakes up if I try to move away, not mention in order to nurse him down I have to gate DS1 in the playroom where he stands at the door yelling, "Is he asleep, yet? Can I come out?"

Does anyone have any tips on transferring a baby from carrier to a sleep surface? (both my children seem to have the wake-up-immediately-upon-transfer gene, either that or I lack the ability to transfer a sleeping child because they wake up fully and are convinced the nap is over and they're good to go so trying this for every nap results in a miserably overtired baby by the end of the day)

Or tips for easing yourself away from a sleeping baby?  Or entertaining a toddler while this circus is going on? 

Oh and DS1 does not nap and is not inherently quiet so quiet time or getting them to nap at the same time doesn't work.

Thanks in advance.

[StlRNMommy]

Hmm, tricky. I read in either a Dr Sears book or HBOTB to have baby fall asleep in the sling and remove the sling from you and lay baby in the bed with the sling still underneath them. This might be easier said than done, It seems like it would be easiest to do with a ring sling.

Not to point out the painfully obvious, but is he good and asleep? Maybe 10 more minutes of carrying or rocking?

It sounds to me like tackling the 3yo and getting a little quiet time from him would work wonders. I'd pull out all the stops with that obstacle. A project? Are you beyond bribery? :) HTH, good, luck!

[cileag]

Is he rolling over yet?  We used a prefold under my arm as I nursed and then transferred her to keep her from having the temperature difference.  We also swaddled so there was no startle reflex.  Now that she's older, we use a pretty flat pillow that she laid on to nurse and then I just put the whole pillow down in her crib. (Obviously this is NOT recommended due to the increased risk of SIDS but I frequently was in the room working while she slept and the pillow was thin enough that I felt comfortable with it).  I also second the waiting 5 more minutes just to make sure.

[sundaya]

I started playing a lullaby tape and an air filter (for the noise) during every naptime, and after a few weeks, I was able to start nursing DD down in the bed, and it seemed like she would go into a deeper sleep more quickly. I found, with my stubborn little DD, at least, that if I did something twice in a row, she would anticipate it, and it wouldn't work, so, at first, if I was able to extricate myself for one nap time, I would hold her for the next. When nursing to sleep for naps, I never put my arm under her, only around her. I was never able to get my arm free without waking her. When attempting my escape, if I did it in stages, it worked better. I would start by moving away but laying close still, and if she started to stir, I would start shhhh-ing, and put a hand back on her,  which would often work. Then, after a few minutes, I could get up and replace myself with a pillow. All this was transitional, after maybe a few weeks, I was able to leave her to nap without me. I have no idea what to do with an older one while doing all this, though....a special video?  Good luck!

[mkksmom]

We do stroller naps here because she can be walked back down and doesn't expect me to be holding her if she wakes early. We also use the radio because she sleeps through my dd running in to tell me something or dance to whatever song is on the radio.

[madskye]

Do you have a crib or special spot for the baby to sleep?  With DD, from the time she was very small, I would go in her room and put her in the crib for a bit and fold laundry or straighten up the room.  I'd talk to her the whole time and play the mobile and just go about my business for a few minutes.  I think it helped her get comfortable with the crib and make it a comfy, familiar place for her.

[texasfarmom]

Originally Posted by sundaya 

 I found, with my stubborn little DD, at least, that if I did something twice in a row, she would anticipate it, and it wouldn't work, so, at first, if I was able to extricate myself for one nap time, I would hold her for the next. When nursing to sleep for naps, I never put my arm under her, only around her. I was never able to get my arm free without waking her. When attempting my escape, if I did it in stages, it worked better. I would start by moving away but laying close still, and if she started to stir, I would start shhhh-ing, and put a hand back on her,  which would often work. Then, after a few minutes, I could get up and replace myself with a pillow. All this was transitional, after maybe a few weeks, I was able to leave her to nap without me. I have no idea what to do with an older one while doing all this, though....a special video?  Good luck!

This is what has been working for us too. I stay close so if DD starts to wake I can start patting her again and ssshhhh in her ear. That is when I nurse her to sleep. My husband is convinced that it is the temperature change that wakes DD up if I put her down after getting her to sleep in my arms so I leave my body really close to her for about a minute and gradually pull further and further away. HTH!

[nm7300]

Do you have a swing? Until very recently, our 5mo has only napped in the swing (which mimics the swaying of your walk). We nurse him until he's asleep (sitting nearby & holding him in cradle position), then transfer him to the swing. It helps to sort of swing him from side to side while putting him in, so the motion isn't startling. Once he's in the swing, we use our hands to push it back & forth until it's clear that he's not going to wake up, then fasten the straps, cover him with a blanket, and turn on the swing.

Lately, I also have had some success with transferring him from an Ergo to the swing. A ring sling actually seems like it would be the hardest for transferring because it requires a lot of movement---with the Ergo, I just unlock the back strap & hold him while the rest of the carrier falls. Then I follow the same steps above (swinging him side to side, etc.).

Good luck!