Get 4 Month Old to Nap in Bassinet and Not Swing

Updated on October 13, 2011
T.S. asks from Littleton, CO
11 answers

Hello MOMS!
I have my baby who is 4 months old sleeping in her crib at night fine and she sleeps through the night fine. She however, takes her naps in her swing twice a day. She sleeps one hour stretch in the morning, and a 3 hour stretch in early afternoon. We have been dictating this schedule. We have tried putting her down while tired in the bassinet to sleep but she gets REALLY mad and upset. I have tried letting her cry and comforting her while keeping her there for as long as 40 mins. Yesterday my husband put her in there and she cried for maybe 5-7 mins and then just hung out in there for 20 mins before I picked her up to feed her. Some progress?? Any tips or suggestions would be great :)

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We still are having trouble getting her to sleep without moving for her naps. For those who did have their babies sleep in a swing or carrier, how did you transition them once they outgrew those things? Lately, my SIL who watches her during the day tries putting her in her crib...and is fine for a little while but then gets mad. She will scream until she is horse :(

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I don't see the big deal. My son slept in his infant seat for many of his naps. Sometimes in the crib, sometimes in his swig. One time when he was 7 mnths old he was playing in the middle of the living room and fell asleep on the carpet!

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⊱.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Our daughter loved napping in the swing and sometimes would take power naps of 4 hours in her first couple months! We went with it, no harm done. In fact, on her super cranky nights when we couldn't get her down, we put the swing in our bedroom next to the bed and away she rocked all night. The way I see it, it's just another tool in your tool box to achieve your goal: restful sleep. If you're able to get her down in her crib in the evenings, I'd let her rock and roll for naps :)

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C.P.

answers from Columbia on

Part of being a parent is knowing when to pick your battles.

Why does she need to nap in the bassinet? If she'll sleep in her crib at night, why not put her there to nap?

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Sounds like a great little sleeper!

You will become Zen Mom eventually....in time, I was able to change his diaper without waking him up! LOL

O. suggestion, the sheet in the bassinet might be cool when you put her in there, already sleeping. When my son would fall asleep on me with rocking, etc., I tried to have a blanket under him and I would transfer him AND the warm blanket to his crib. Magic!

I'm sure you can wait until she's asleep in the swing and very carefully, like a ninja--move her into her bassinet!

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

My son's both would have to be in something moving to nap. If they where not they would not go to sleep. They would be in the bouncy seat, swing or carrier. My youngest took many naps even at his daycare in his carrier since she could rock him in it and then would not have to move him once he was asleep. If you are not wanting her in the room the swing is in move the swing. Sometimes I think they feel more cozy propped in something.

Good luck and God Bless.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

at that age i was just greatful that they slept anywhere! i figured the babies get tired of sleeping in the crib. that being said we got black out shades, white noise, and very very little light. we also found that our little girl liked to be in long footed p.j.'s she wanted to be warm! from about six months old i put her in her crib and she cried for about 5 mins then was out. i would not worry too much about the swing napping! even if you put her in a play pen it would be something different from her crib.

1 mom found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Is it dark enough in the room for her during the daytime?

ETA: If she isn't approaching the weight limit for the swing, why not just let her stay in it? My 6 month old has JUST started napping and sleeping at night in his crib. Til then, he was sleeping 18 hours a day in his swing. (Which was expensive when we had a battery-operated swing, but we now have one that plugs in).

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K.F.

answers from New York on

My son would only sleep in his carrier or in the swing until he outgrew them both. He just preferred sleeping sitting up instead of laying down when he was younger than 4 months. He would have never fit into most bassinetts. He was born big.

I don't have any real answers for you other than give it time and she will change and grow and adapt to something new. Thanks for writing this post and bringing back fond memories of my son's baby days.

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J.P.

answers from Denver on

Honestly, I say if it's not broke then don't fix it. If she's sleeping fine where she is be grateful. My little ones wouldn't sleep unless they were on me (which gave me an enforced break, but very little time to get anything done). If she's sleeping fine in her seat and her night time sleep is fine then I'd be happy to let her stay where she is. It won't hurt her---at this age the rocking motion is still reminiscent of being in the womb and soothing for her. We spend a lot of time worrying about what might happen in the future rather then be grateful that everything is working in the right now. I say address it if it becomes a problem.
J.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello! 4 months is still really young. My son didn't take regular naps until around 8 months or so. I let him sleep in the swing as long as he would fit! At 4 months, she might still need to take 3 naps a day too, just something to think about. I would just let her sleep wherever, as long as she is sleeping and you get a break! Everything will shake out when she is a bit older and you can try to put her in the crib.

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B.C.

answers from Tampa on

It depends on her size, my kids outgrew the bassinet and swing before their 3rd month. Crib should be the most comfortable place to nap, they sleep longer and better. Once you get her on a schedule and get her use to go to sleep tired but still awake, things will get easier.

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