How do I get my 6 mth old daughter to take good naps without me holding her all the time?

Question

She only sleeps 30 minutes if she is in her swing or bouncer. She is also hard to get do for a nap. She usually fights till the end. How do I get her to do down easier?

Answer 1

I am giving you the same answer as I just gave to another poor mother who is having trouble getting her child to sllep well.


I had the same problem with my firstborn. The answer is to be consistent. I can't stress this enough.

Your baby needs to sleep in her crib, only her crib. If you let her sleep with you, or rock her to sleep, or put her in her wing, or take her for a car ride, etc. she will decide which one she wants and she'll learn that if she cries long and loud enough she will get her way. She must learn now that she must sleep only in her crib. She's 2 months old now, she no longer has to sleep with her parents.

Put her to bed in as much routine as you can. Same time every day. Change diaper first, sing her a little song if you like, give her a kiss, dim the lights. Whatever you do, do it every time. Teach your partner to do the same thing.

When you put her down, if she resists, let her cry. It's really hard at first to hear the baby crying. She will fall asleep from exhaustion. Don't worry. After a few days, she'll realize you mean business. You must teach her in a gentle way, even at 2 months of age, who is boss. Otherwise she will be running your life. If she wakes after an hour or two, and you know she needs more sleep, check her diaper, then put her down again. If she cries, let her cry. She won't die crying. You must not run in and pick her up. If you do, she will soon have you wrapped around her lttle finger.

You must be consistent. I guarantee this will work. You must be brave. Many babies will wake up every hour or two (all 3 of mine did), usually they just want reassurance that Mommy or Daddy is there. So just speak to her gently, rub her back for a minute, then leave the room. Again, if she cries, let her cry.

Good luck. I would love to know how you make out.

By the way, consistency should be the rule in all aspects of parenting. Easier said than done, but well worth the effort in the long run.

Answer 2

I am no specialist at this at all, but I have some ideas that might help your situation.

Basically, a child neds to feel secure, and protected to be relaxed, as even with adults, and if they dont, they cry, or cant get to sleep. First off, some warm milk will most likely help, the ingredients in the mild somehow act as a sedative. A babies eyes are very sensitive to light, so diming the lights, or pulling the shades will help. Your first objective would be to calm your daughter down from any activities perviously done. Thats where the milk and dimmed lights come in. Try to get rid of as many distractions as possible. Sing, this is very important, or hum even. A slow and melodic tune is always good. Classical music like Beethoven or Chpin or even lullabies are perfect. This actually does two things. One: its calms the child. Two: singing or humming actually helps the child recognize vocal patterns, and stimulates the brain a bit. Lay down with the child, comfort her, making sure the child feels safe and secure are crucial. I hope all, or at least some of this helps :)

-Brandon-

Answer 3

My daughter is the same way, so I just started putting her down when she's awake to let her know, hey...mom can't hold you all the time, sweetie. And now, when she gets super tired, I pop her in her swing. A few times, she's even taken a 2 hour nap in there! And those days, I get super excited. But, she sleeps well at night, so I thank my lucky stars that she's not sleeping all day, and up and fussing all night.

Answer 4

This must be your first child... If she's getting a good night's sleep.. maybe she doesn't need more than a catnap. I have 3 kids(pretty much adults now. You'll never see a baby forcing themselves to stay awake, if they are really tired. I used to put a quilted blanket on the floor, let the baby play & before you know it, they are sound asleep. Even if I put them in the crib for a nap & they didn't fall asleep right away, at least they had quiet time. So often I see baby sleeping in stroller & Mom shopping. They sleep when they need to. It's when you force them to stay awake that they tend to get cranky(rightfully so). Have fun and enjoy your little bundle.

Answer 5

Have her belly full. Then lay her in her crib or bassinet for sleepy time. After she eats burp, then quickly put her down. She needs to get used to falling asleep herself. Dim lights and play some lullabies. If she takes a pacifier give it to her to go to sleep with( which they say now helps prevent SIDS). Step away quickly and try not the let her see you watching. Don't let her sleep in her swing or chair. Let her associate sleep with her crib. My bassinet has a vibrator which helps my daughter. When its sleepy time have little stimulation as possible. Don't let her skip naps. If she's not getting enough sleep then it's even harder to get them to go to sleep.

Answer 6

I know it's heartbreaking, but the Ferber method really does work. There's also a book by Jodi Mindell which is kind of "Ferber-lite". You can search the internet or babycenter. Your pediatrician can also give you info on sleep training. Does she sleep with you at night? Or is she a good night sleeper, just doesn't nap well.

Answer 7

Buy her a rocking swing with soft music playing first few days she will be fussy but she will get use to it.I use it when shes sleeping,im cleaning ,eating ,etc... My daughter loves her swing even if im holding her she wants to go and play with the teddy bears on it.

Answer 8

This sounds like a marginally stable time table. and you realize what? KUDOS to you for even getting her on a time table. i'm a real believer that youngsters function lots extra beneficial ideal with extreme intense high quality naps interior the approach the day and a collection straight forward (in spite of the certainty that flexibility to that straightforward is a might desire to so which you do now no longer rigidity your self loopy in case you pass off of it an afternoon or 2 as immediately as and a at the same time as). in line with danger at the same time as she gets somewhat older, 8-9 months (and if she's besides the certainty that slumbering 2 circumstances an afternoon) you ought to attempt and allow her stay unsleeping somewhat longer after her morning nap. Then located her down somewhat later interior the afternoon. because of the certainty approximately 6 months we've had our daughter during this: wakes up around 6-7, then is going backtrack at 9. Sleeps for extra or less an hour. Then is going backtrack for afternoon nap around a million or 2. Now she is going down around 2ish and keeps to be down for extra or less an hour. She's a 12 months now.

Answer 9

Put her in the crib and let her fall asleep on her own. If she cries, just leave her. Pop your head in to make sure shes okay. When she realizes that your not going to come running in to pick her up, she learn to put herself to sleep.

Answer 10

supposedly you can put her in her bouncer or baby carrier and put it on top of the dryer and turn it on. It's the same as taking her for car ride.