Naps when out and about

[nelliestar]

Hi! My DS is 5.5 mths and basically a textbook baby. If we are having a day at home he will nap 2hrs a.m, 2hrs p.m and a 45 to 1 hr catnap - I am really lucky. But if we are out and about he has started to not be able to nap in his pram - he fights it and fights it and I feel like I can't go anywhere! Obviously he is more aware of his surroundings as he gets older and its making it hard for him to switch off I think. What do you all think? Is this normal? Any suggestions? And is he getting too much daytime sleep when we are home do you think? He briefly wakes in the night around 4ish and 6ish but will go straight back to sleep when reswaddled with no problem - we don't have to feed him.
Thanks,
Nell xxx

[LizzieN]

I think your day time sleeps are brilliant and they are the exact reason why if you feel like you want to go out you should!  One day isn't going to hurt every now and then.. The way I do it is if my LO has a good nap in the morning, the afternoon can be about me a bit   If he doesn't sleep at all in the pram or car then it's early to bed and all naps at home the next day!

Don't worry you are doing great and don't get stuck at home if you want to get out, it's good for you both   Having a dark shade cloth to put over the pram, so they can see but it's not as bright can help them to nap (also reduces people sticky beaking too!!)...

Enjoy your lovely bundle!!
Lizzie

[annette.xx]

Hi...something I stumbled upon while out was that if I put LO in baby carrier and walked around with her or just held her for the 30 mins before naptime and then put her in pushchairjust b4 naptime and tuck her in with teddy in arm and then start pushing it she goes off to sleep!!!.....

apparantly the motion of you walking and being close to you releases hormones that make them sleepy...

I was gobsmacked!! but its worked quite a few times now!! ...and I was asking the exact same question just a few wks back!!!....I couldnt even get her to sleep for 10 mins while out b4.....

your LO sounds fab....I wish when mine wakes in the middle of the night she would let me swaddle and leave!!...how did you get your LO to do this??!! has it always been easy like that or did she used to fight it when waking?.....

If the amount of day sleep is working and night wakings are easy I would leave as is....but I suppose id be careful incase he starts waking up more at night....maybe you cud reduce one of the 2 hr naps slightly and reduce catnap to 30 mins?......they need 15 hrs sleep a day at this age so work out if thats what his sleep totals to.....but all babies are different also!!

Annette.xx

[LizzieN]

Hey I wish that worked for my LO, the minute he gets in the pram the eyes brighten and sleep is but a distant memory   Ah well!

[annette.xx]

 Hey Lizzie

Im betting that now ive posted my solution that my LO changes her mind next time im out!!!...

dont you find that everytime you think its working it then goes wrong!!

Im goin out with hubby tonight and Im betting that she wont sleep at bed (she has been back on track last 2 nights..finally!!!)...

oh well!!!

Annette.xx

[LizzieN]

have a lovely night sweetie
xx

[~inbalance~]

Hi there!  My LO was the same around that age (well, he didn't nap that well!)  When we were out he didn't want to sleep, too much to look at!  Have you tried draping a blanket over the stroller to block out stimulation?  DS would hardly sleep in the stroller, but if he is tired and I'd be walking for awhile, if I covered him up he'd nod off for a bit.  Otherwise, I just found that when we were out we just dealt with less sleep.  Mine was textbook too, and he'd be so happy to just be out and see new things, that he wouldn't get cranky if he missed a nap.  Then we'd try and catch a nap here and there when we could on those days, but didn't stress too much about it.

HTH

[nelliestar]

Hi Annette. As regards the self soothing in the middle of the night, I have my DH to thank for that! When DS was very tiny, he would put him down in his moses basket sleepy but awake ( to my horror! ) and we have always done it from then on. I got really anxious at first, convinced he wouldnt settle himself but my DH kept doing it and it worked! He goes down for all sleeps day and night awake and falls asleep on his own! I think this may be why he feels ok with us swaddling and leaving him in the night. I know we are lucky! Thanks for all your advice.
N xxx

[Laura3033]

We did the same thing with our daughter from day one...put her down drowsy but awake and she would drift off.  However, this has all changed.  She is now 4.5 months old and won't fall asleep on her own.  I have to walk with her up and down the hallway (I'm sure I'm wearing the carpet out..lol!) which is something I didn't want to ever do.  We still put her in her bed awake for each sleep hoping she will remember.  One day??

Laura