My 5 1/2 month old will not nap! Does anyone have any advise?

Question

She will take maybe two naps during the day lasting anywhere from 10 to 30 mins. She does sleep through the night almost everynight, so I'm very blessed there. She goes to bed anywhere from 11:00 to 12:30 and sleeps til around 8:00 or 9:00. But in all the books, magazines, and websites say that babies her age should sleep at least 14 hours a day. What can I do to help her take longer naps?

Answer 1

If she doesn't seem tired, then don't make her sleep. If she is cranky, irritable, or just has a tired look on her face during the day then that's a sign that she needs a nap.

Answer 2

I also have a 5 1/2 month old who is the same way. I have read that some babies just don't take long naps and can thrive on short naps throughout the day. Over the past 2 weeks, I have tried creating more of a schedule during the day for my daughter to encourage at least 1 long regular daily nap and so far it is working. It goes something like this: She sleeps through the night and typically gets up about 7:00 am and I nurse her. She then plays for a few hours and usually nurses again around 9:30 am. Sometimes she takes a quick 20 minute nap at that point. After that, she plays more. I play with her and move her around between her play mat, activity center, etc. Then at 12:00 noon I feed her a solid meal (rice cereal or fruit). I follow this around 1:00 pm with a little nursing and this usually puts her right out. She has been sleeping from about 1:00 pm until about 3:00 pm. I think giving her the same general routine each day has helped her and she is starting to enjoy her nap time. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

lol sounds like my 5 1/2 month old son. He will take 2 naps a day his morning nap is the longest at about 30-40 minutes. And his afternoon nap lasts 10 minutes maybe 15 if Im lucky. However my son gets tired an hour after he eats his last solid meal of the day around 730 or 8. Usually he'll sleep through the night sometimes he wakes up about 3 or 4 and drinks about 4-6 ounces. Who cares what the books say every child is different. Also if your concerned she's not getting enough sleep during the day dont snatch her up at the first sound she makes. Ive found unless he is crying his head off if he wakes up he'll play for a bit in the crib/playpen then put himself back to sleep

Answer 4

Hehehehe make her sleep... Nope.

You can encourage her to sleep, but in the end you can't make someone sleep.

You could try:
More blankets
Less blankets
White noise
Music
Nature sounds
Blackout curtains
Swings/bouncers
Lying with her (read a book or take a nap)
Taking a long walk or drive


Has she always been like this? Is it a new thing? Has anything changed recently? Started solids?

Oh yeah and a half hour in the Jolly Jumper knackers my baby, might work for you.

Answer 5

She must nap - you need her to nap - for your sanity (and her health)!

We have a saying in our house: Our son doesn't have to sleep during his naptime, he just has to stay in the crib for the full hour and a half.

Sometimes he plays for a while, cries/talks/laughs a bit. Sometimes he wakes and we hear him in the monitor. It's all good, but we don't get him until we have decided naptime is over. I cannot make the boy sleep, but I can choose when to end the nap.

Is she sleeping at night in a crib? Even if she sleeps with you at night, let her nap in the crib. Clear it of all toys, blankets, etc. An empty crib with one toy to cuddle is all she needs.

Sing the same song as you carry her to the crib for nap time every day (we use BaaBaa Black sheep) and it becomes a cue for our son that we are going in for a nap. By the last line of the song I have silently placed him in the crib and am closing the door on my way out of the room. Note: After his back touches the mattress I go right to the door, no talking, looking in his eyes, etc. Just go go go!

It is so important that your daughter get used to being alone. So don't rush to get her if she is making noise in the crib. Let her figure out how to get back to sleep, or play or whatever. If she is crying hard (not typical little cries) then you may want to get her after 7 minutes or so. Otherwise, let her go for a while. She may have some energy/emotion to get out before she can get back to sleep.

Bottom line: If she stays in the crib she'll either sleep or learn how to amuse herself. If you take her out becuase she is awakw, she won't got back to bed and you'll lose the precious minutes of downtime during the day (and be more tired, stressed, irritable than if you had a little break time)

Keep her in the crib 1.5 hrs at a stretch - she will get used to it. Do them same routine every day for 10 days, be strong, and by the end of the time she'll be a great napper and a more happy and independent baby.

Answer 6

Keep her up for longer durations during the day. So for example keep her up 1 hour longer than what you are currently doing. Also, tummy time is great for them so you may want to start letting her play on her tummy for a while before her nap. Put some toys around her etc. It gets them real tired. See if that works!! It could just be a phase, but hey see if it works it did for me. =)

Answer 7

So she is a bit different! Things will change. You are blessed with the two naps, even though they are short. She sleeps through the night, Yaaa! If you provide a peaceful environment, soft music, don't pick her up every time she stirs, she will sleep longer possible. Don't panic. She is bound to make changes. Just do your part as I mentioned.

Answer 8

Well, I know you certainly need the break.....but, the truth is that babies will sleep, when they need sleep.

Everyone is different in their needs for rest.....this applies to babies, too. The same is true for their appetites. Some mothers worry that their babies may not be eating enough......but, doctors say not to worry....when they get hungry...and they need food....they will eat.

Let them do these things in their own time.

Hope this helps! Hang in there!

Answer 9

I am so jealous. My daughter is 5 1/2 and she is the exact opposite, count your blessings!

Answer 10

I think that your child knows when she is sleepy and tired . I also read in a parent mag that if she is not cranky or tired that it is ok .