Totally normal. Heck, my 6 month old doesn't nap!

But, here's some advice:
-over tiredness causes short naps and trouble falling asleep. If you can, just get him to sleep and stay asleep. Hold him for an hour. Getting in those hours are key.
-sleep begets sleep! Once I was able to catch my baby up on sleep, he slept so well. It was worth it to dedicate some days to holding him because then he'd throw in a 3 hour nap and a great nights sleep
-morning nap: for him, this one set the tone of the day and was the easiest to go down for. He went down for his first nap one hour after waking. That includes feeding time. It wasn't much time. I'd basically feed and change him then let him stretch and play for a few minutes, then we'd go back to bed. Swaddle, pacifier, songs, rocking. He'd fall into a deep sleep and I'd sleep next to him. Ahhh.

Just find what works and do it!

Put him in a carrier and let him nap on you. and try a swing.

Anonymous wrote:Just let him sleep on you then. It sucks but atleast he's asleep.

Yep. Enjoy the snuggles while you can!

Just let him sleep on you then. It sucks but atleast he's asleep.

Isn't that how newborns are?

Totally normal - try just relaxing with him on your chest. Or, "wear" him somehow...Ergo w/insert, Maya wrap, a sling, whatever you are comfortable using. My son wouldn't sleep a wink unless he was on my chest or in a carrier; I tried every single trick I could.

If you are comfortable with it, there is a good chance a baby who naps well on your chest will also be able to nap on his tummy. I assume you already have tried swaddling very tightly on his back.

It is exhausting. Have as many different places you can move him around to try to keep him happy awake as possible and rotate among them-- even different spots in your home. Fans and different pictures on the wall can be distracting. And don't feel the need to stimulate him or attend to him all the time when he is awake-- if he is awake and content (and this may be rare), please just sit down and read a book and eat a chocolate bar or your version of that.

Babies brains do change so much during the first year...he WILL become a better napper at some point.

Swaddle him for naps (if he's swaddled for night sleep). Also try getting him down for his first morning nap like an hour or less after he wakes up for the day. Oddly enough when they're overtired / awake too long they tend to wake up after a shorter time. If he sleeps on your chest will he sleep in a carrier? I would put DD in a carrier and go for an hour walk (granted I had a spring baby, but maybe you can find an indoor place to do this). Being exhausted myself I hated doing that morning walk, but if she got a good morning nap the rest of the day's naps would be better too and I could catch some rest during one of those.

Generally though, for a baby that little it is kinda par for the course.

Good luck!

I had this problem. I just ended up pretty much being with my baby 24/7. I ended up laying down with the baby for naps and co-sleeping and nursing her to sleep.

Check Happiest Bahy on the Block for soothing ideas. Have you tried a swing or a rock and play?

normal

My 5 week old refuses to nap during the day anymore, and it's exhausting for both of us! He's not sleeping through the night so I have no clue how he has the willpower to fight off his daytime sleep- he'll catnap for 20 minutes here and there in his car seat or in my chest, but wakes up the moment I try to put him down in his bassinet or rock n play and act like his life depends on fighting off any chance of sleep. Any ideas, fellow moms?