Does It Matter Where Baby Naps?
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Does It Matter Where Baby Naps?
| Tue, 03-30-2004 - 12:10pm |
Hi my daughter is 10 weeks old and does pretty well at night sleeping in her crib. The day time is a totally different story. She will only nap for 20 min. at a time in her crib and then cries and as a result is very cranky. However, if she falls asleep in her swing or in her bouncy chair in the bathroom with the bath jets running (I know that sounds a little crazy but it works) she will sleep for a good two hours and wakes up REALLY happy. She also sleep better at night when she's had good naps during the day. Do you moms think it matters where my baby takes her naps? Or am I getting her into a bad habit by letting her nap where she wants? Thanks
Laura and Brooke (1/17/04)

But honestley if it works and is causeing no harm I say go for it. The one thing with both my kids was this what workded last month didn't work next month Babies can change their moods more times than a woman with killer PMS .
lmae
~Debra
Beth
I think it is fine no matter where they sleep, as long as it is safe for them.
Nightime is important to have them sleep in the crib so you don't form bad habits, but during the day, I don't see why it should matter.
Mine sleeps wherever it is comfortable and safe at the time.
sara
Hi Laura!
Congrats on being a new Mommy! :)
I am a new mommy of an 8 month old little girl. My husband and I have tried several different things with the napping issue. Okay, first of all, your baby is only ten weeks old...so give her a chance to adjust to this world full of unfamiliarities.
At a month and a half, April was up about 3-4 times a night and I wasn't getting any sleep, which you will find out no one cares about, just whether your kid is sleeping through the night...LOL! I called the pediatrician who ok'd me to give April a tablespoon of rice cereal in the bottle/feeding right before bedtime. This helped her to stay a little more full and she started sleeping through one feeding at night. Most of the time during the day, I would hold April to establish our bond after a rough birthing where we didn;t get that immediate bonding time. So she slept on my chest or at the breast. Most of the time I was near enough where she could smell me and it seemed to help her sleep longer at nap time. Once she was 2-3 months old, she slept in her crib except for one nap in the afternoon in which she slept wih my husband and I until she fell asleep and then it was crib time.
I find that establishing a rountine is the important part in a good nap and sleep pattern. I cannot fully agree with you putting your child in a swing to sleep because I think this might cause her to get used to one way to get to sleep and not learn how to settle herself. This can cause problems later if not corrected early on. If April cries I will pick her up and reassure her until she starts to wriggle and resist my attention. Then I place her in her crib where she has learned to settled herself to sleep. If she continues to cry over and over, I godd back and place her passy in her mouth, reposition her on her back (she can roll adn flip and sit up now) , cover her up , and give her her stuffed giraffe. I also find this an important part of the sleeping sucess. Try to get your child attached to a sleep buddy. Something preferrably made of terry cloth (good b/c its anti-bacterial) and without bows, buttons, or other small objects she can choke on. This will teach her that that object means naptime. Only give it to her as at naptime to begin with...when she is older you can allow her to carry it around if she wants. Also a good passy, if she wants it. Make sure to take all things associated with toys or playtime out of the crib...this excludes the mobile. Play the mobile or the same soothing tape or CD everytime you put her down for a nap. Try turning on a fan or anything with a consistant sound, drywer, vacuum, radio, or anyhting else you can think of. Once baby is asleep turn this off. You can also try placing curtains on the windows to block out annoying sunlight that may kee her up in the day too, just please make sure they are away from the crib. Pick out a routine that fits you both comfortably and as she changes of course you will have to try new things, but if you create a routine now, your baby will probably catch on and hopefully be less resistant to naps.
I hope this helps you out. Good luck and please let me know if this works out. Give your new routine at least a month to get your baby accustomed to what is expected of her. YOu can also try a consistant storytime or singing your favorite soothing songs while you rock her. If I can help you with anything else please let me know, okay? Sincerely- Nada