Napping - Flushing,NY

Sounds like a typical 8 week old. As long as your nights are good, just
hang in. Regular naps do not come until they are several months old.

My son slept on my lap until he was 6 months, then I transitioned him to the crib. If you have the luxury of time to hold her, do it! The time passes so quickly. If not, maybe she would sleep in a sling? She would get the closeness she craves, and you could be hands free so you could do other things.

(long response)

This may not be comforting to hear, but my 3-month old is still like this a little. I agree with Rhannie because I do the same. I wear him in the carrier (a mei tai works best for me but I sometimes use the Ergo Baby) or in the sling quite a lot during the day. He sleeps in there during our walks and I just leave him in until he wakes up, even if I have to walk around the house with him in it.

I've developed a ritual with my son that at his noon feeding he can fall asleep while nursing and I'll just take a nap with him, which can be a very nice break. I position myself on the sofa or on the bed in a way that's comfortable for both of us and then we both drift off. We've actually had some nice, long naps that way. Like, 2-3 hours!

If I do it on the bed, I find that I can get up and leave him there, as long as he's fast asleep and not latched. I stay very alert to him and go back in if I hear him stir. That way I can put my hand on him or lay back down to comfort him if he starts to wake. It's work but it's worth it. He naps well and wakes up beautifully that way (big smiles) and I get to nap or do work, depending on the day.

I should actually consider swaddling him before I nurse him at those feedings because he might actually sleep longer . . . for some reason my son does not like to be swaddled during the day, even though he sleeps like a champ when he's swaddled at night. But maybe doing it before he nurses would help transition him better.

I haven't done this in a while but I used to also turn on some music, low, and on repeat to help soothe him. He loves Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel and Blackbird by the Beatles . . . I literally just let the one song play over and over again, turning it down very low once he was in deep sleep. If that didn't work, I have a Womb track that I bought on iTunes. I tried not to overuse that, though, since it's part of his nighttime ritual (still is). But maybe finding some nice music that your daughter likes, nursing her on the edge of the bed and then laying down with her will help her ease into sleep a little better.

Good luck!

Hi M.
Hasn't she a strong personality already?
Beside all the usuals of making sure she's not hungry etc. I would try to presist for another while.Maybe start with taking her for walks and letting her sleep in the buggy when you get home and you relax too.
Also try having a nap with her.
Try to persit for another while to prevent her from getting used to napping in your arms.
Best of luck
B.

My daughter was like this and the only way I could get a few minutes of peace was to wear her while she was sleeping.

Get a good baby carrier (slings are good for young babies, soft structured carriers like Becco and Ergo are good for back carrys, I used meitais and wraps as well--try a bunch and find what works for you) and wear her until she is totally asleep (get as much done as you can while she's on your front/back :D--vacuuming, dishes, dusting, starting the laundry, etc) then when you feel up for a rest, lie down with her still on your back. Gently ease the carrier off and see if she'll stay asleep then (do not try taking the carrier off her, just slip it off of you). Then sit or lay nearby so she can hear you. Once you are sure she's still asleep, you'll be able to leave her side. Try this for a week and you'll be able to get her to go down easier (unless she's feeling ill).

Hi M.,

Just for some perspective, my daughter was six months old before she slept in her crib during the day. She always slept in her "punkin seat" right next to me no matter where I went. From kitchen counter to laundry to bathroom and everywhere in between. If I tried to put her in her crib when she first dozed off, she would awaken immediately and that would be the end of that. It was the next closest thing to the Native American swaddling (also Chinese, African...oh heck, all cultures carry their babies like 'possums for quite awhile.)
Once she's been swaddled and asleep in your arms for a couple minutes, carefully place her in her baby carrier/in-home seat or whatever you use. If you're very careful, she won't notice the switch.
Good luck! Remember, she's still getting used to being on the OUTSIDE of you! ;)

"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA

my first daughter was like that at that age. I remember I could get her nap if I had just nursed her laying down on my bed or the couch and then just got up when she was done. Of course with her not being in the crib I had to keep in eye on her but she seemed to nap better just leaving her there. As she got older she slept in her crib fine but at that age she was very fussy and I figured that was better than nothing.

I went through the same thing with my son ... and it isn't easy. What did seem to work for me was after I got him to sleep, I would lay him on the couch right next to me. He would be all swaddle up and right next to me so he slept great. Then, we had him nap in his little vibrating chair thingy for a while until we eventually got him to sleep in his crib. It's a tough road but don't worry ... it will get better. If all else fails, just lay with your baby and take a nap too :) Best of luck!

Hey! My daughter just turned 12 weeks and I still sometimes have the same issue. Do you swaddle her? I bought a larger size swaddle so I could strap her into the swing all swaddled up. Sometimes she falls right to sleep, sometimes she needs a pacifier for a little bit and spits it out when she's ready to fall asleep. If I try to put her down un-swaddled she won't nap at all! But then again, I also have to swaddle her at night. If you swaddle her at night, then give it a shot.

Also, do you think she could be getting overtired or over stimulated? I know if I don't put my daughter down for a nap as soon as she yawns it takes a long time to get her to nap. And if she's been playing for a while and gets tired I have to move the mobile out of the way or it's just too much for her.

There are days where nothing works I have to put her in a carrier and walk around with her. I LOVE the Mobi Wrap because it's so easy to use and get her into and out of, but I also have an Infantino Flip carrier that works great.

It's really all trial and error. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Good luck!!!!

Will she go to sleep without being in your arms...i.e. the swing, vibrating chair? if so try feeding her or what not....waking her up and then putting her in the seat,bed...etc.....