I can’t put my baby down for naps and feel like a failure

[Anonymous]

I did the same with all three of my babies. It is not a failure, it is normal. Infants have a hard time regulating their sleep, body temperature, and even heartrate. It is normal for them to want to be held by their mothers, and for their mothers to do it! Just look at the Mother Panda at the zoo right now, holding and cuddlng her baby almost constantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always had to hold/rock them for about 20 minutes til they went into really deep sleep. Then I could put them down and they’d sleep in their own crib. If I tried after a shorter time they just woke up immediately.

+1. And then if they wake try again. Even if you feel like a failure just keep trying. It works very slowly but one day it will work!

[Anonymous]

Please don't feel like a failure, one day it will happen, for now, hold your baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always had to hold/rock them for about 20 minutes til they went into really deep sleep. Then I could put them down and they’d sleep in their own crib. If I tried after a shorter time they just woke up immediately.

+1. And then if they wake try again. Even if you feel like a failure just keep trying. It works very slowly but one day it will work!

Yep, this is what I did. It's hard work! But I was really motivated. Once the first nap really started to become obvious (I think around 3 months?) then it got much easier because baby was so visibly tired on a regular schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please don't feel like a failure, one day it will happen, for now, hold your baby.

It's not a crime not to want to hold your baby 24/7!

Signed,
Mom who did CIO, was adamant about crib naps, but otherwise wore the baby all the time.

[Anonymous]

First, you are not a failure. You might try letting her be even if she wakes up. I don't mean if she's crying obviously if she's crying go to her, but if she's just not sleeping, try letting her be for a bit.

[Anonymous]

Me too! Just enjoy it! You already know how fast it goes by. Not sure if you've tried this, but if you need to do work on the computer or something, you can put your baby in a carrier and bounce on an exercise ball while they nap.

[Anonymous]

Wear your baby

[Anonymous]

My first was great at being put down to nap. My 2nd I had to literally wear her like 15 hours a day for 3 months. Then I started putting her down for a nap in the afternoon once she was on a better schedule and did some light nap training (didn’t follow a book but let her fuss for a short while while on the bed next to her). By 4 months she was sleeping her afternoon nap in the crib. Then she started consolidating sleep overnight and voila was sleeping through the night by 5-6 months. 9 weeks is still really young!! I found my 2nd wasn’t really ready until around 3 months to try in earnest.

[Anonymous]

Everyone feels like a failure at first! You will learn that your baby is learning how to settle themselves and will be better at it some days than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re doing great! You can wear him in a wrap or sling so that he has that closeness and comfort, but you can also move around and get things done. Both the closeness and asleep are really good for the brain development.

This is what I did with my 2nd for at least one nap a day. The others I would put him down for, or be out in the stroller.

[Anonymous]

Don't sweat it- you won't even remember this period in 10 years.

[Anonymous]

I agree to "wear" the baby in a carrier. two birds one stone.

[Anonymous]

Wear the baby and enjoy the snuggles. We had a Snoo for night and I tried to do one nap a day in there for practice. She is now 14 months and a fantastic sleeper.

[Anonymous]

If you ever feel anger towards your baby and you're exhausted, make sure baby is fed and comfortable. Check private parts, toes and fingers for inflammation or hair stuck around it. Place them in their crib in a comfortable temp room. Close the door and walk away.

Sometimes you just need to walk away and take a break. Its good mothering .

I had one difficult baby and this saved our relationship. He did cry but we have a great relationship today. He just couldn't sleep and still does not sleep much.