Naps - Provo, UT

My daughter had the same problem. She slept in her swing for naps and her car seat at night. The second I tried to put her in her crib or anything that was flat, she would wake up. I bought a wedge that fits under the crib sheet that is on an incline so they aren't laying flat. this worked great!! she learned to finally sleep in her crib and after about a month, she no longer needed it. Maybe this will help.

hi, don't worry about her sleeping in the swing. My 3rd will be 6 months in a few days and until a week a go he slept in the swing for hours each day. he was so well rested and calm from the good naps he had been getting. Then out of the blue he stopped sleeping in the swing and now LOVES the moses basket..... I think go with what works for your little one.

Personally I'm against leaving an infant to cry. This is part of their communication and response is part of yours. Not responding is a message that they aren't heard or are on their own. They need closeness and a lot of care. Little ones cycle just like we big people do, they are learning about the world around them and as they become aware of different things they can be less willing to sleep because there is just too much to see and hear and experience. If they are too young to have you explain the reason for something and they can understand and know what's going on, then they are too young to be left to cry it out. At 5 months all your baby knows is that you aren't responding, her communication isn't working, she isn't heard. That goes against her survival needs. That said, she has been trained to sleep under certain conditions and now you want to retrain her. I used to make sure my kids didn't always nap under identical conditions so they could sleep if was noisy, or they were in a different bed, but right now you just need for her to nap.

In the womb an infant hears and feels her mother's heartbeat and breathing and voice, this is comforting and it is their world. Then they are birthed into a place of new sensation and light and sound and smell. In early infancy the senses aren't fully functional - it would be overwhelming if they were. A newborn can only see as far as her mother's breast to her face. So while their world has become larger it is still a small circle, as each day or week passes a baby's world enlarges but at 5 months mom (or dad) are very much the center, they have to be, an infant won't survive without a very high level of adult care. The question is what can you do assure your little one on her instictive level that she can sleep and her needs are being met? Music and sound can be one part of that, Native American music has a honor beat, that drum beat is the heart beat most infants find it very soothing. Peaceful classical music or flute worked well with my kids too, as did CDs of traditional Native American story tellers. The story tellers have a rhythm to their voices that is soothing.
Another possibity is for you to lay down with the baby, read a book quietly to her, you could probably do with a little down time yourself. It doesn't have to be a kids books, read your own book out loud, what she needs is the comfort and reassurance of your voice and closeness and this will help start a positve association with reading. I read to my kids in the womb and from the day of their births, both had were reading at college level before they finished elem school (no I didn't push early learning to read - that can lead to myopia later - but that's another subject). As a parent you have to balance your wants and desires with your child's needs. Every child is different, every parent is different, every family's lifestyle is different. If your schedule doesn't permit laying down with your baby until she sleeps, how about a back pack? At 5 months her neck should be strong enough for a back pack, My kids used to love theirs and would sleep peachfully while I cleaned and did yard work or whatever.
One thing to consider is that too much time in any carrier, car seat or whatever can affect circulation in their lower limbs, so a flat head isn't the only or most major concern.
You're going to have to experiment and it will take some time and patience. When the baby gets tired enough she will sleep, the bigger issue may be your nerves until she does. Even though she doesn'tunderstand yet you can still talk it through with her - it will help you and will start to establish a pattern of teaching your child to reason as she grows. Your long term goal is to raise a competent, secure adult.

A.,

It sounds like she is trying to transition to two naps. You might try putting her down a little later than her normal first nap, then down earlier than her third nap. It can take a couple weeks for kids to fully drop a nap, so I wouldn't worry about getting her to sleep in the swing/car, if that is what it takes. If you can't get her to sleep with only two naps at home, just use the swing/car for a little while. Once she is firmly on her 2 nap routine (if this is, indeed, what she needs) then try to retrain her to sleep at home.

A couple notes on sleeping in a Pack & Play. First, it is not the P&P that will give her a flat head, it is just lying on her back. A swing or carseat will do the same thing. Regardless of where she gets it from, it is completely harmless, and will go away as she spends more time off of her back. If you are really concerned about it, make sure she gets plenty of tummy time. Second, she might resist sleeping in the P&P because it is uncomfortable. Their "mattresses" are flat and hard, and she may not like it. Do you have another place you could try her naps? A crib, or a mattress that is flat on the floor?

Finally, for more specific advice, I would highly recommend "The No Cry Sleep Solution for Infants" by Elizabeth Pantley. I think the previous poster said it all about letting babies cry it out. Your baby is trying to tell you that she needs you, and at this age, she really needs a responsive mommy. She isn't trying to manipulate you, per se. She is just trying to get her needs met. If you meet them, she will be free to grow to the next stage of development, content and secure that she has what she needs. If you ignore them, she will either get more emphatic about it (ie, scream harder and longer), or she will just give up. While many moms think that their baby has "learned" once they stop crying, what they have really done is realize that there is no point expressing their need, because no one is going to meet it. On the other hand, you don't have to become a martyr, and let your baby nap on your lap every day, if that isn't what you want to do. That is where Pantley's book really helped our family. I think she finds a middle of the road solution - not leaving babies to cry unconsoled, but also helping them learn to sleep well. Hang in there, it will get better!

Best of luck,
S.

I agree with many of the responses that it sounds like she's just in a transition phase with her naps. My son definitely went through a transition around that age. I think he didn't want to miss out; he didn't need as much sleep, he only wanted to sleep in the sling... I tend to not sweat these things, because it seems like it all passes right about the time of the next stage- which will have its own unique challenges.

I find the Parents As Teachers program really helpful. You can check and see if you have one in your area at www.cpcfonline.org. A child development expert comes to my home once a month and visits with me about how my son is doing. We just interact and play with him, and I talk with her about whatever the challenge of the day is (sleeping, biting, eating, teething, whatever). She helps me sort out what is a normal developmental phase, when I need to worry, what to look for, and offers all kinds of helpful tips. My home visitor is Judy. If you live in Adams County, you can call her directly. Her number is: 720/989-4434. She has openings right now, and it's free and fun and helps me understand and appreciate all my son's little phases.

I also find Dr. Sears books and website helpful. Have fun!

Will she wake up if you move her while she is sleeping? If not, you could take her for a short drive until she falls asleep and then put her in her crib. She might also need only two naps right now. Cut out one of her morning naps and see if that helps.

It might be that she likes being upright? Why not try to put her on a sleep wedge in the pack and play and see if that makes a difference. The swings are also cozy so she might like to be half swaddles while going to sleep. Good luck!

Your babe is trying to tell you she doesn't need 3 naps a day. Try 2 naps --- a morning nap and an afternoon nap. Also, now that she's getting older, she doesn't want to miss out on anything. Taking a nap means she is missing out. When she's awake --- keep her busy as to exhaust her. As far as where she naps --- that's up to you. I like to have a set place such as the crib in the bedroom. But I also think it's nice that the baby can sleep in a swing, carseat, or pack-n-play. Her sleeping pattern sounds fine to me. I think you're trying to get her to sleep too much --- like she did when she was an infant. She's transitioning to a new phase. Let her. As far as the flat head. Don't worry about it. It will work itself out as she grows. Make sure you have a consistent daily routine. For example: (1)breakfast(2)activity(3)snack(4)quiet activity (5)nap(6)activity(7)lunch(8)quiet activity(9)nap(10)activity(11)snack(12)activity(13)dinner(14)quiet activity(15)bedtime routine. For preparing her for nap or bedtime make the room dark & cool. Play soothing music. Have a night light. Provide a blankie or stuffed animal as a lovie. Read a book. Sing. Put her to bed. It's ok to let her cry. Do 5,10,15,20,25,30 minute intervals. Tilt her crib mattress if sleeping at an angle is more comfortable for her.

Hey A.!
I am totally in the same boat! I have an almost 5 month old who was sleeping great and then suddenly everything changed. It's like he fights his sleep so bad. Anyway, I went to a Baby Expo and asked Dr. Harvey Karp (author of Happiest Baby on the Block)for advice and he suggested white noise and swaddling. So we've been playing a CD with the sound of a heartbeat/womb all night and during naps. Plus we use a swaddle sleep sack which is safe to use while they are sleeping. We just started using these new tips, but they do seem to be helping. Best of luck.

B.

you have to get those naps in; that is when she grows. There might be something making her uncomfortable like gas. Or try to darken the room with black out shades (or quilt for now). try music, etc. Make to so regular people could set a clock on you guys. She is old eough now to know how to manipulate to get what she wants...like the swing. but keep in mind, you are the mom, you are in charge. Be loving and gentle but firm and in control. It is also okay to do a bit of crying out at this age especially during the day but don't let her get exhausted over it. try laying on the floor next to the room. Don't look at her, and whisper, time for nap. slowly move out of the room so you put her down, stand at the door (without eye contact or talking) for a few minutes then leave.

first of all, at this age, I would only be putting her down for 2 naps. Try not to be out and about during nap time, that way she can't fall asleep in her car seat. If she is able to sleep through the night in her crib, she can nap in her crib. It is just a matter of getting her used to it. Second, there is nothing wrong with letting her cry it out, but just make sure that she has a good full belly, clean diaper, and not in pain either (she is old enough that she could be teething, if she is, give her some tylenol about 1/2 before nap time.) Have a nap time routine, so she knows it is time to go to sleep. She will eventually have to learn to sleep in her own bed, and the longer you put it off the harder it will be.

I have 3 little ones 4 & under & they are all great sleepers - although they've all gone through phases like what you are describing. A regular napping schedule has always been important to me. (I need a few minutes to myself during the day to regroup!) I've found that at times my children have gone through a phase of resisting naps. It usually lasts 3 days to a week and then they fall back into their normal routine. Here is what I have found works best for me: 1)have fairly regular nap times. I have a range for my 8 month old. He wakes up between 7:30-8:00 am. I start watching him about 2-2 1/2 hours after he wakes up for signs of being tired. The first time I see him yawn or rub his eyes, I put him down for a nap. If they get too tired, it becomes difficult for them to fall asleep. If they won't fall asleep after about 30-45 minutes of trying, I get them up & try again a little later. 2) Try to have him nap in the same place he sleeps at night. It is a signal to them that it is time to sleep & helps them fall into a routine. My baby slept in his car seat for the first 3-4 months and he did start to have a flattening of his head. It was minor & it corrected itself, but it can happen. 3) I let my kids fuss it out - a few minutes at a time. I let him fuss for 2-3 minutes, I go in and comfort him without picking him up. Then I leave for a longer period of time - 4-5 minutes and repeat, increasing the interval I am gone each time. After doing that for a few days, my kids have all stopped fussing when I put them down. They just go right to sleep. I don't have to spend time driving them around, rocking them or anything else. In my experience, the more routine you have with sleep, the better sleepers the kids are. That lifestyle doesn't work for everybody, though. If you're a more on the go mom that would rather have your kids nap on the go, there's nothing wrong with that, just know that your child may have a more difficult time being a good napper. Good luck!

I would recommend maybe a little music toy that you can clip on the crib that could relax the child and I would also let her start to self soothe to go for her nap. My dd used t fight the sleep as well and we finally worked her into a schedule. I the crying can be sometimes hard to bear but believe me it hurts you more than the baby. You could also try some mylicon before you lay her down, I had a friend who has a baby with reflux and stomach may still be a little gassy when laying down. I hope this helps and gl

I want second the recommendation for "The No Cry Sleep Solution" book. There are alternatives to letting your baby CIO, and I strongly suggest you give it a try. Teaching your baby that you will respond to her needs may take more time and effort on your part than teaching your baby to cry and cry and finally give up, but I believe you and your child will be better for it in the long run.

I don't think you have to worry about her sleeping in the swing or car seat but I'll let you know what I do. Plus, she's probably going to out grow that swing pretty soon anyway. I've never been one for just letting my girls cry themselves to sleep mainly because I have two and I'm afraid one is going to wake the other. My girls wake up around 7 am and go down for their first nap at 9:30. I give them a bottle and rock them on the couch until they fall asleep. Then I put them in their crib, they will usually open their eyes and want to get up but I keep my hand on them and continue rocking them as they are laying down. Sometimes I pat them and then draw out the pats until they are sleeping. I will completely stop and make sure they will continue to sleep. My girls are 14 months now and they are still taking 2 naps a day but only sleep for an hour to two each time. I'm sure when your daughter is tired enough the crying it out thing will probably work too. Good luck.

S.