Napping

HI everyone- I have a 7 month old who doesnt seem to want to nap anymore. I know he's tired- but i put him in the crib and he just cries and refuses to sleep. Yet when i take him out, he's rubbing his eyes and is soooo cranky. He usually gets up around 6:30am- so by 9:30-10, he needs a nap. Then he'll take one in the later afternoon. Again- unless we're in the car or in the stroller, its a struggle to get him to sleep in the crib.

For those with kids around this age, do they have a routine nap time that you put them down at every day? Should i put him down when i know he's tired- or just keep him awake if he refuses to sleep?

Re: Napping

My son used to be a HORRIBLE napper. He still has his moments, but it has gotten SO much better. He usually takes 2 naps during the day..... one in the morning 3 hours after waking, and another around 2 in the afternoon. I used to wait for the signs (rubbing of the eyes, etc) and then put him in. For a few days, he would cry. I would walk out, for a minute or two, go back in, and pat his back, sing, etc. Kept going in until he was asleep. Crying a bit seemed to make him more tired. Long story short, it got easier as time went on, and now, most days, my son goes in to his crib, plays for a bit, and then lays down and naps.

Well, I hear him waking from his nap now. Gotta run! Good luck!

Re: Napping

My daughter isn't that great of a napper either but what I do is that I keep a blanket on the floor and she will sometomes go and lay on her blanket and watch tv and fall asleep when she is tired other times she is horrible to get to nap so I will have to lay down with her to get her to go to sleep.

Re: Napping

This is just IMHO, but you may be waiting too long to put him back down for a morning nap. Trying putting him down within two hours of waking. Also, typically once they show signs of being tired (rubbing eyes for example) they are already overtired and more difficult to get to sleep.