I feel like Im doing something wrong.

DD is 11 weeks now..and I am having such problems with naps and I feel like its something Ive created. Please tell me what Im doing wrong..any advice would be oh so awsome.
I have always glided her to sleep, then placed her in crib. Like clockwork she was up in a half hour, and then I put her into the swing. She generally would sleep there for an extra hour. Now she is not wanting to be glided, and is fighting the swing. I know shes tired, I can see it...but she dosent want to sleep. Here and there I get a half an hour. So she is napping, but I have to put her down every 45 min for another nap when she wakes from the last.
How do I get her to go to bed on her own? Am I cuddling her too much?
How do I get her naps to all come together to form a substantial nap??

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

no really please...

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

I have always had a hard time putting DD down to nap. At that age I put her in the swing so that she was rocked to sleep - and left her in there. She always needed to be rocked no matter what... and the crazy part is that she didn't need it to go to sleep at night, just for naps.

At 11 months old I finally decided it was time to CIO for naps... before that I wasn't comfortable with CIO and I was happy to rock her in her stroller (since she outgrew the swing months ago).

I don't have any great advice unfortunately, but I would say if you can get her to sleep by rocking her (either in her swing or her stroller or whatever you can get to work for you) then do so and just try to stick to a routine. Eventually they catch on.



ETA: I never bothered to transfer DD from the swing or from the stroller. She liked the motion and it kept her asleep for longer so I just went with it. Don't think that you caused this, because I'm sure you didn't!

Message edited 2/10/2009 8:18:19 PM.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

I am a "follower" of the Baby Whisperer and started it at birth with this baby. She says that it takes 15 minutes for a baby to fall asleep (or something to that effect) so I always put dd#2 down when I thought she was getting tired, always swaddled, and patted her back for a few minutes while I "shushed" her. She takes a pacifier so I give her that if she wants it and don't replace it unless she cries for it. I do this for about 5-7 minutes max, then I sneak out...since the first day we did this, she would almost always fall asleep within 15 minutes. I realized that I never gave my older dd enough time to fall asleep. I do the same thing for naps for her as well.

I started this whole deal too late with my older dd and she is a horrible napper, but a great night sleeper but we had to do CIO when she was about 8 months old.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Until she was about 4 months, she only really napped in her swing. Then from 4-6 months it was in her crib but didn't work too well. She didn't nap at all really. Finally around 6 months she got into a good nap pattern in her crib. I think sleep doesn't really even out until a few more weeks.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

My DD just turned 4 months old and is not on a true nap schedule. She basically falls asleep throughout the day either in her carseat at home or if we are out and/or in the swing. I don't put her down for a structured naptime b/c we are usually out of the house everyday for a few hours before I leave for work at 2pm. I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I have asked my pediatrician if I should have her on a structured nap schedule and he told me to let her sleep when she wants to sleep. I will add that she has been sleeping thru the night since she was 6 weeks old so I don't have issue with that... at least not yet!! You're doing great Mommy!!

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

I understand your pain. I read a book called "On becoming Babywise" which really helped me. I realized that I didn't allow Aidan to fall asleep on his own or give him enough time. I ran right in when I heard the first wimper. Then I realized that some babies need to fuss before going to sleep. Once I learned this, I let Aidan fuss for a few minutes. He is always out within 10-15 minutes of fussing (he doesn't always fuss). When he does fuss, it's like a low pitched wine- he isn't screaming crying. He also has now learned how to put himself to sleep.

if you need support, FM me darling!

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

it is SO hard, i know... i am the last person you want to give advice but i wanted to give you lots of

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Peyton has always napped in her crib from the beginning with only patting and sushing from me. Now she goes on her own. DD#1 was a horrible sleeper and I knew I would do all I could to not relive that. I have been very lucky this time around.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Thanks so much everyone...I needed to hear that I wasnt totally screwing her up.
Hollie- when you say you let your DS fuss...my DD cries if I lay her down. Do I still leave her in there? How long do I give her?

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

The only thing I can say from experience is that it is ok to let her stir a little bit....it doesn't mean you're letting her cio, cause it's not really a full blown cry...

She may just surprise you by falling asleep after stirring for a while...I used to run in to DD's room as soon as she whimpered because I was afraid it would turn into a full blown cry - it would take me so long to get her to sleep...now I let her whimper and she is usually out in 10 - 15 minutes - what a difference!!

Good luck!!

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

She's young. I know it's frustrating but give it time. It's really hard to try to put a young baby like that one a schedule.
My DS still hardly naps unless I hold him and even then i get 20-30 min. here and there.
Hang in there

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

Re: I feel like Im doing something wrong.

DS was an inconsistent napper till 6 months old, he would nap every couple hours for 30-45 min, at 6 months i got him into a schedule of an AM and afternoon nap. Also, we got him used to the pack and play and then the crib from the beginning. but we did have to rock him to sleep for naps and carefully put him down. At 6 months, my back was breaking so i started putting him down and then holding his hand and that worked and then i was able to just rub his back a little and that worked. Small baby steps. I thin your Dc is still young enough where its OK you glide her, or hold her