Please help - how can I get my 4-month-old to take naps?

He is great at night - we have a routine and he has a maximum of 5 minutes of crying before falling asleep and sleeping for 10-12 hours straight.

During the day he is a complete monster when I put him in his crib. He cries and sometimes will fall asleep but only for 1/2 hour. When he wakes up he is still tired.

I feel like I've tried everything and I don't know what else to do. It breaks my heart that he is so exhausted and out of sorts by the end of the day.

Message edited 1/10/2008 5:31:37 PM.

Re: Please help - how can I get my 4-month-old to take naps?

Do you have a swing? That was the only way to get my DD to sleep at that age.

Re: Please help - how can I get my 4-month-old to take naps?

Re: Please help - how can I get my 4-month-old to take naps?

do you have a nap routine too? sometimes that helps...i kind of have one with DD. we go upstairs darken the room, read a book, put on the noise machine and sometimes i will nurse her. once she winds down i put her in her crib and "run" out of her room. she rarely cries and falls asleep. if she cries i usually let her fuss until she falls asleep. i think the routine tells her it's time to go to sleep. also, pay close attention to your DS's tired cues-yawning, eye rubbing, less activity. if you get him down on time he will be less likely to protest sleep! the swing is a good suggestion but sometimes that becomes a habit your just going to have to break later. but do whatever works i say! good luck!

Re: Please help - how can I get my 4-month-old to take naps?

My mom watches DS now that I am back at work and he is 4 months.

She told me she has started resorting to putting him in his car seat to take naps. Otherwise, he won't sleep for more than 20 minutes anywhere else!