Baby falling asleep during ssh/pat!

[JoanneEnlander]

I have just started the PU/PD method for my 12 week old's daytime naps when not out in pram.
The first day was so hard.. For his afternoon nap he got himself into such a crying state I had not seen him like this before! I was also crying!!!
The shush/pat would not calm him for a long time. I also am having the problem that he falls asleep on me while waiting for him to stop crying (so he falls asleep crying as he is just so knackered from crying). As you are not meant to put them down until they stop crying I am actually putting him down just as he has nodded off and shush him until he goes into deep sleep.. How can I rectify this?
Thanks 

[katiush]

Hey - {hugs} to you! It's tough trying to get LOs to nap in the beginning!
First of all, are you doing PU/PD, or shush/pat? I think he might be too young for PU/PD, and that could be part of your problem. It should be used after 3.5 months, and only as a last resort...
Shush/pat takes a while for LOs to respond to, so don't give it up on it too quickly. Also, he is still pretty young, so it's not horrible that you're putting him down when he's already nodded off. I think it's good that you keep shushing him in his bed until he's in a deep sleep. Then gradually, he won't take so long to calm down, and you'll be able to put him down sooner. You can also try pat/shushing him while he remains in the crib, to try not to overstimulate him by having to pick him up.
Also, what is his EASY like?

[weaver]

Hey Joanne,
don't worry - the sh-pat really does work, just takes a bit of time for the baba to learn what it means. 

Just wondering are you doing the whole sleep ritual thing? You know - a simple sequence that's always the same, darkening the room, sitting with the baba until they relax, sh-pat if needed, then into the cot.  That way it is really gentle and they do get to recognise the sleep cues pretty quickly.  You can add in a bit of singing or slow-dancing if you like but do it every time.  Seemed endless to me at the time but it really helps to teach babs how to sleep and then one day, they just settle down on their own without you!  So don't worry, it pays off!