How can I get my baby to sleep in a carrier?

[newmamalizzy]

Didn't get much response in babywearing, so I thought I'd try again here.  DD is 10 months old and has a hard time relaxing for naps these days.  Being worn really does help her to relax when she's tired, but she can't seem to find a comfortable position in which to fall asleep while being worn in either our ring sling or the Ergo.  Does anyone have any advice for how I might position her differently to help her fall asleep while being worn? 

[Asiago]

Motion helps a lot but I think it depends upon the carrier/sling, the position and the baby also. I have read that some babies can still do cradle carry in a sling at that age. Per the Ergo, in front carry, can baby access your breast? That may help her to fall asleep.

Otherwise you may wish to carry her in the Ergo until asleep, then unbuckle and slide her down onto a bed, then lie beside her. She may then be more comfortable once she is lying down.

[P.J.]

I find the Ergo perfect for nursing, and nursing to sleep when he's tired. If you find her head is too high, just loosen the shoulder straps and she'll slide lower and should be able to comfortably nurse. That combined with any combination of walking, swaying, singing, light bouncing and bum patting works very well for us. GL!

[elluin]

Have you tried wearing her on your back? Our daughter doesn't sleep as much anymore while worn (she's also ten months), but she does rest her head more in a back carry now.

Ten months has been a hard age for sleep in our family... good luck!

[newmamalizzy]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

I find the Ergo perfect for nursing, and nursing to sleep when he's tired. If you find her head is too high, just loosen the shoulder straps and she'll slide lower and should be able to comfortably nurse. That combined with any combination of walking, swaying, singing, light bouncing and bum patting works very well for us. GL!

Originally Posted by Asiago 

Motion helps a lot but I think it depends upon the carrier/sling, the position and the baby also. I have read that some babies can still do cradle carry in a sling at that age. Per the Ergo, in front carry, can baby access your breast? That may help her to fall asleep.

Otherwise you may wish to carry her in the Ergo until asleep, then unbuckle and slide her down onto a bed, then lie beside her. She may then be more comfortable once she is lying down.

Even with motion, she doesn't actually make it to sleep at all.  She looks like the person in the middle seat on an airplane who tries like heck to find a comfortable head position but eventually ends up watching the in-flight movie without headphones.  

We're new to the back carry, but it seems like there's the same problem with the back that it's hard for her to comfortable rest her head forwards against my body.  I think she could sleep with her head straight up if there was support behind her head, but she hates the sleeping hood.  Maybe I should tie a scarf or something around us?

[Knitting Mama]

I hate to say it, but some babies just don't like sleeping in the carrier after a certain age. Cecilia is tiny and is quite comfortable laying her head on my breasts when I wear her, but she just doesn't want to sleep anymore. She used to sleep a ton in it as an infant but I would say that she's fallen asleep maybe twice in the carrier since about 7 months old (she's 10 months now).

[CBEmomma]

Some babies just dont' like it. ds1 never slept in a carrier, but ds2 has several times.

[newmamalizzy]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama 

I hate to say it, but some babies just don't like sleeping in the carrier after a certain age. Cecilia is tiny and is quite comfortable laying her head on my breasts when I wear her, but she just doesn't want to sleep anymore. She used to sleep a ton in it as an infant but I would say that she's fallen asleep maybe twice in the carrier since about 7 months old (she's 10 months now).

Originally Posted by CBEmomma 

Some babies just dont' like it. ds1 never slept in a carrier, but ds2 has several times

I'm afraid this may be the case, and yet it does seem like she gets instantly sleepy when I stick her in a carrier, rubbing eyes like crazy and even closing them for moments at a time.  I wish she could carry that calm with her to the bed, but she just can't.