Napping - Chicago, IL

It's best if he associates sleep with his bed from the start. It's harder to change the habit later then now. If you could start by putting the swing in his room at least that may help.

I don't understand why you "can't sleep train for another month" but this is what I recommend...

try using the Baby Whisperer's EASY method for a schedule, and the Happiest Baby on the Block 5 s's method. Those two combined will make cio not be a needed thing (at that age)
EASY - when the baby wakes up it Eats. After you feed it, then it has Activity - bouncy seat, tummy time, sitting up and playing with toys, swing, exersaucer, etc. When the baby gets fussy check the B's - boredom, butt or burp. If it's none of those then off to Sleep. Don't wait for the baby to do more than get the tiniest bit fussy, then see what is causing the fusses - if it's just that they needed their diaper change do that, but if it's not the activity is boring, the butt is dirty or they have to burp, then put them down. This may happen after as short as 45 minutes, don't freak, it really means they are tired.
Now, to get them to sleep use the 5 s's. Swaddle the baby, hold the baby on their side and sway as they suck on something (paci, your knuckle or their finger/thumb) and make a shush noise. This will calm your baby. When the baby is calm, but not asleep yet, keeping them swaddled lay them in the bed. I like to pat them instead of sway after a minute or two cause you can still pat after they are put down but you can't sway, so pat the baby and continue patting gradually decreasing it as you put them in the bed. Also continue the shushing as you put them down, again gradually getting quieter.
If you do these two you will find a well rested, easily managed baby in no time.

1 mom found this helpful

Why can't you sleep train for another month? I thought Babywise was an excellent book to help with sleeping. Also, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Both of these books should be able to give you some guidance on how to handle these sleep issues.

I know you said you can't sleep train, and I'm not really sure why. But when my daughter was right around 3 months I did just that. You leave them in the crib and let them cry it out. Peek in if you need to but they will figure out what they are supposed to do. If you introduce something that is always the same at every naptime it might ease the transition when you are not at home and don't have a crib. Just put something like the same blanket on him or always use the same pacifier, just something that is always consistent.

Good luck! Remember your little one needs to nap to have better brain and growth development. It's hard but you will be happy that you did it.

I think napping in the swing is fine. My dd took a lot of naps there when she was little so mommy could get a little something done.
I HIGHLY suggest a sling/carrier!! It will be perfect for when you are at home or away from home and he wants to be held close and you need a free hand or two :)

Hi B., My daughter slept in her swing for all her naps too for a while starting at about 3 months. Don't worry, as a mom we do what we have to. I think it is better for them to get sleep in the swing then no sleep at all.

My first son spent what seems like the first 6 months of his life in the swing. That was where he was comfortable. I freaked out too thinking that we weren't bonding, but he was happy so I got over it. Also to go out, I have this wrap that is a big long piece of strechy material. I put the baby on the chest and then wrap him to me. Then you are hands free and the baby sleeps. I don't know what brand it was. I got it from someone at my shower.

My son didn't really start taking regular naps in his crib until he was between 4-5 months old. He would take most of his naps in his swing. I always tried to lay him down, just so he would get used to his crib for nap time but it didn't always work. I really stayed consistent and tried to stay home during his potential nap times, so that he would get on a routine. It eventually fell into place for us and he has been a regular napper since.

Yes, let him nap wherever and however at this point. My daughter used to only nap in my arms, the swing or car seat. Enjoy this time. She's 2 and barely lets me hold her!

My daughter napped in her swing everyday until she was too big for it and she is just fine, well adjusted, takes her naps at daycare and at home and has now even transitioned to a toddler bed. When she had bad colds we would even let her sleep in the swing all night because it was the only way to keep her proped up so she could breath. Personally, I think its fine.

Have you tried a front carrier for when you are out? One with good support should allow you to move freely while keeping him close to you. He may like the movement and being so snuggled. Good luck with the sleep training. I highly recommend it.

M.

My kids would never sleep in their strollers or car seats either. I always got frustrated when I saw other parents that didn't have that problem :(
I know it's taboo but..... have you tried letting your son take naps on his tummy? If you are there to check on him, you could give it a try. I agree to wait a little for sleep training, he is too young.
Also, although it isn't convienent,I always try to be at home for naps. It's a short time until naps are gone, and I've always keep my children's sleep sacred (so I can get sleep too).

Hi B.,

We didn't have problems with our son not sleeping in his bed; however, when he fell asleep in his swing he would sleep longer. In many of the sleep training books, they discourage swings because the baby will get used to movement and need it to fall asleep. Whenever our son fell asleep in the swing, I would turn off the motion. This may help you transition without him needing rocking to fall asleep.

My daughter was the exact same way! She's now 21 months and still has not slept a wink in her stroller or car seat. It always amazes me when I see kids dozed off in their strollers in the middle of the supermarket or something. Unfortunately, I don't have any real words of wisdom, just support to let you know there's other people who understand. My family and friends gave me a hard time for not taking her out to eat or shopping (as other new mommy's can do so easily when their kid sleeps on the go). Whenever I tried that it was a miserable time for all!Instead, we were sure to be home every 2 or so hours so that she could sleep. And yes, she napped for a long time (maybe until 4-4.5 months or so) in her swing. The saving grace for us was that she was a great night time sleeper and while others were getting up multiple times a night to feed/console their little one, my little girl was peacefully sleeping through the night by 12-13 weeks!. good luck.

I don't see anything wrong with letting him sleep in his swing. I have 4 young kids and all of my kids have taken TONS of naps in their swing. When they have bad colds, I've even left them in their swing or infant carrier for the entire night to keep them upright and help with the breathing. Do you have a travel/portable swing for when you're not at home? I have the Aquarium Take-Along Swing and it packs up quite easily. That might be worth a try. My youngest child got used to everyone holding her and then I had a hard time getting her to sleep any other way. She's 4 months old and just recently started falling asleep on her own. Good luck with this!

Take this opportunity and embrace it! You really only get a few short months of snuggling for hours. My son didn't sleep in his crib for naps till four months. Now, he's Mr. independent!

Use of a good baby carrier like the Babyhawk when you are out, or doing things around the house will help as well.

Good Luck!

My son would ONLY nap in the swing for about his first 5 or 6 months then one day just didn't like it anymore. He naps great in bed now. He takes 2 or 3 naps, all at least 1 1/2 hours long. It's like one day he just figured it out. I never did any CIO or anything so babies who aren't "trained" can still be great sleepers contrary to what people think.

I disagree with common American wisdom. You're not going to ruin your kid by letting him fall asleep through gentle methods. Training is not needed for babies. Training is for soldiers and new employees.

I don't know what makes babies so different, but they all are. Don't worry about hims sleeping in his swing, as long as it is tilted back and he's not sitting up. Just hold him, these days will soon be over. And why not stay home for the next month? It really isn't that long and he is training you to adjust your lifestyle. you are fortunate that he sleeps at night. He may be easily overstimulated, and if when you are out you are talking a lot while holding him, that may be it. Let someone hold him who likes to sit in a quiet corner, there are people like that in every group.

sounds like the 3 month old has mom trained already. The swing is fine, occassionally. Baby must get used to his bed or any bed so he'll sleep at others homes.

It sounds like your baby is at the point that you need to work your schedule around his nap schedule.

Do you use a sling? I found that walking around with my girl in her sling for a few minutes would always put her out when we weren't home.

And I still, if I think she needs a third nap, will throw her on my back and rock her to sleep while I clean.

Neither of our kids as newborns liked to nap in their cribs, so we ended up letting them nap (and sometimes sleep overnight) in the bouncy seat. Once they grew a little older, both eventually made it to the crib with no problem. I think this is typical and although limiting, it's not permanent. I agree, snuggle while you can! It won't last long :)

I would highly recommend a good infant carrier (we use the Ergo and love it, but less expensive options are the Moby wrap, some sort of sling, etc.). Our daughter (who is now 8 mos.) would sleep in her swing or infant seat for naps at home, but when we travelled for a cousin's wedding, we used the carrier and she slept for 2 1/2 hours (her naps were and are still much shorter than that usually). It's a little annoying, because you can only sometimes sit down (our daughter would often stir when we'd sit down with her in the carrier) but it works like a charm. The stroller is also good for naps (for some reason, as a newborn, our daughter would sleep in the stroller but not in the car). Hope that helps!

My son, now 3 yr., slept in the swing or on my lap for many months. And around 8 months old I was able to get him in his crib for naps without crying. So don't worry that he'll never nap in his crib. With my daughter, she also won't nap in her carseat when we are out, I put her in a sling (Maya Wrap) and she naps there....and I still have my hands free and can move around. Hope that helps.
A.