3 Month Old Won't Take Afternoon Nap in Crib

I regret the time I wasted trying to get my first son to nap in the co-sleeper and later in his crib. It didn't work, and it was frustrating.

In my experience it is MUCH better to accept that many babies don't nap well in cribs. With my second son, I put him in the sling or baby carrier (I preferred a wrap, because the weight was distributed evenly on both shoulders) for most of his daytime naps. He slept longer and I was able to get stuff done instead of rocking him forever in the chair, trying to transfer him to the crib when he was deeply asleep only to see him wake up within minutes.

By the way, I am skeptical about the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Not every baby/toddler can be slotted into his magic formula about how often and how long they "should" be napping. Even in the same family, babies will have very different napping patterns.

Relax, it sounds like you and your baby are doing great. I wouldn't worry about where he is sleeping. He is sleeping.

I used the book, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child and it suggests for a baby that age to take 3 naps a day. Maybe by the time you are putting him down he is just too overtired and fighting it? Just an idea, good luck!

Did your baby always take an afternoon nap? Did he do well napping in his crib in the afternoon until recently? How many naps is he taking a day? Maybe he is ready to cut out one nap though I don't think so since he is only 3 months old. I am thinking maybe he is not tired enough to go down for a nap yet? Or maybe he is overtired or overstimulated so he has a hard time going down for a nap.

You can also try a different place for him to take his nap. My son never took his naps in the crib, we tried and tried and he just wouldn't go down. He's been napping in his stroller since he was born. I am not telling to put your baby in the stroller for a nap but that is just what worked for me. I would push him back and forth in his stroller inside the house and eventually he would pass out. He is 10 months now and I still do the same thing. I only have one kid now so I can afford to spend as long as I need to push the stroller for him to fall asleep.

I would suggest try to put your baby down before he gets overtired if that is the case or try changing the napping venue.

Good luck and hopefully your baby is just going through a phase and will take his afternoon naps in his crib again real soon.