Transistioning to the crib for naps only?

[forbiddenpluto]

I've had the luxury of being a SAHM for the first 8 months of my DD's life. However, it's looking like I'm going to need to go back to work shortly so that we can afford to live! We've been co-sleeping since day one. If she was sleeping, she was in my arms. Now I'm worried that when I go back to work that she will be unable to sleep. I've successfully slid out from underneath her a couple of times, but naps that are normally almost 2 hours become short little 30 minute naps.

Does anyone have any experience in this? TIA!

-Corby

[rockergirrl]

I would love to know too. My DS (age 5 months) sleeps just fine in his crib at night but not for naps. He falls asleep nursing and I can put him down once asleep at bedtime but if I try to do it a nap time he won't sleep. If I let him sleep on me he will sleep for two hours. If I attempt to move him into the crib he wakes up and then doesn't get a nap.

[hopeland]

I think most likely your baby will adjust fine although it will likely take a little while after being in daycare or whatever the situation is. I used to teach preschool and the kids were a little older. One of the children I cared for only would sleep at home with mom right there the entire time. It took her quite a while like a few months to sleep more than thirty minutes at "school" but she was 2 1/2 and I thinkit would easier for a younger baby to adjust. I also had an interesting/funny thing happen once. I taught at a preschool and there was a little boy who was about 4 years old. He had been coming to school there for over two years. One day the teachers were all talking and his mom was there. His mom said when he first started preschhol I was sooo worried about him at nap because I always rocked him to sleep at home. All of teachers smiled and said he is the first one to sleep every day and the last one to wake up!

[USAmma]

Start off by putting her down in the crib for short periods when she's already asleep or almost asleep. Stand over her and pat her. Put a shirt of yours in with her. Go to her when she needs you so she knows the crib is a safe place.

Sometimes they do better with that sort of thing with a care provider, because that person will not be mommy. The baby will have a different relationship with her and have different expectations.

((HUGS)) I'm sure that must be hard for you but she'll be fine. :)

[Abylite]

We are moving from the basinet to the crib for naps since she is getting "big" for the basinet. I'd put her down when she showed signs of being tired...rubbing eyes or face in my shirt....and I pat away for about 5 minutes until she is sleeping. Sometimes I go in and out for about 20 minutes, but it seems to be getting less and less.

I'll be worried about my DD too....daycare in a few months!