My baby does nap

For a couple of months now I've been struggling to get my daughter (7 months) to nap. She just wouldn't. I tried putting her in her crib. I tried keeping her close to me in a bassinette. I tried music, rocking her to sleep, cry it out - everything. She goes to bed easily and sleeps through the night 10-12 hours straight, but no napping except for the occasional 20 minute cat nap here and there. Finally I just gave up and let here stay up figuring she'll crash if she needs to.

Early this morning my 3 year old left for a couple of days with his grandparents. Baby took a 3 hour nap this morning. She woke up so happy and smiling as if to say, 'finally I can get some peace and quiet'. It's mid afternoon and she is napping again. So now I know the problem - just not the solution, lol!

Hmm..is he around when you are putting her down for a nap? Does he make lots of noise to distract her? Maybe that's it? Or..do you think she feels like she might be missing out on something if she takes a rest and wants to stay up and play? LOL

I'd say she's just afraid she'll miss something exciting if she goes to sleep when he is there! LOL

It sounds crazy but I think she thinks she is missing something. Her room is upstairs on the otherside of the house from where he plays. I don't let him play with his louder toys when she is suppose to be napping, so I I don't think noise is the issue.

Today she fell asleep in her little baby recliner chair right next to me. The house is calm, but not silent - the TV is on, I'm at the computer, but up and down a lot and it doesn't seem to bother her.

That's gotta be it then. Poor little lamb!

Awww it's like a never ending happiness hangover, lol. That's what my mom calls it when there's a baby at a big party or get together. They don't want to go to sleep cuz they might miss something. Although I guess the hangover part comes later that night or the next day when they're super over tired, lol.

Misty, my little guy is almost the same age and I find that he naps SO much better when his brothers aren't home. I don't know if it's the noise or if it's that life is just generally calmer, but it definitely is different.

However, one big thing I've found that does help is not waiting until he is really tired to put him down for a nap. He sleeps much better during the day if I pu him down when he is just barely sleepy (usually after being up for 2-2.5 hrs).

mrs_jb said:

Misty, my little guy is almost the same age and I find that he naps SO much better when his brothers aren't home. I don't know if it's the noise or if it's that life is just generally calmer, but it definitely is different.

However, one big thing I've found that does help is not waiting until he is really tired to put him down for a nap. He sleeps much better during the day if I pu him down when he is just barely sleepy (usually after being up for 2-2.5 hrs).

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Thanks, for the advice. I'm definately going to go back to trying to get her to take regular, scheduled naps, so I'll try that time interval.

OMG, but you are so lucky she sleeps 10-12 hours straight! I'm so jealous. I have two boys that rarely nap and only need about 8 hours of sleep, sigh (the worst of both worlds, lol). If we ever meet in person, you'll see the dark circles under my eyes and know why, lol. Anyway, that's awesome you're getting a little breaky today!