How can I get my 7 month old to take a nap with out listening to her cry?

Question

She naps for 15 or so minutes then wakes very cranky I always rock her and sing to her till she falls asleep I absolutely DO NOT believe in Feberizing children I personally feel it bordrs on abuse! Sh sleps wih us at night and in her co-seeper during the day because I worry about sids when I am not in bed with her just looking for new ideas!

Answer 1

I let my 5 1/2 month old take her naps on our bed most of the time, so I can lay down next to her until she falls asleep (or at least is nearly asleep). I hold her for a few minutes beforehand - she usually rests her head on my shoulder and I rub/pat her back, sometimes even rock her. Then I lay her down, tuck the blanket around her body, and rub her arms, legs, head, while either "shush shush shush"-ing or quietly singing a lullaby. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes, and it's MUCH more soothing to us both than letting her "cry it out".

If she's having a hard time staying asleep, you might try adding some white noise, i.e. a fan (as long as it's not blowing on her - just point it toward a wall or something), a radio set to an a.m station or even just to static and turned down very low, even the tv if turned to a channel where there is a lot of talking (don't turn it to a cartoon channel where there's lots of songs - that will only wake her). We've used all of the above with both of our girls, and they help.

Answer 2

make sure you have a set routine. My daughter knows that every day at 1:30 we take a nap. (She is now 2) But we started her routine at about 6 months. When she woke at 6 she had a bottle or nursed. We got dressed and then had breakfast at 7:30. We would play and then be down for our first nap at 9. I would wake her at 11. We would have a bottle or nurse and then play and have lunch. she went back down at 2. I would let her sleep until 4:30. and then once again wake her up. Dinner, bath, Bottle, family play time and off to bed by 7:30. Every day we did this and slowly adjusted the nap schedule to the age and amount of sleep needed. Now at 2 she is down to 1 nap that last 2 & 1/2 hours (From 1 to 3:30). We have the same routine every day with little differences here and there and she sleeps well and goes down well, becasue she is at ease with the schedule we have set up for her. Good luck and be patient when you make a new schedule as it takes a few weeks.

Answer 3

Not all babies nap for a long period of time and it may sound cruel but let her cry for a short period of time before picking her up after she wakes up. She just might put herself back to sleep.
I understand that you worry about SIDs but, do you want your child sleeping with you and your husband when she's 5 and at that point you may have another child.
You need time alone and so do you and your husband--this includes naps during the day and sleeping at night.

Answer 4

Set routines and consistancy helps alot.
Definitely make sure they have a full tummy before you lie them down.
If the crying continues go in the room just soothingly pat them to let them know that you are there and tell them to fall asleep that you will be there when they wake up.... then leave the room again.
I wouldn't do that more than once though.
They may only be 7 months but they can understand.

Answer 5

why are you listening to her cry, one of those tough love things, with a 7 month old, try rocking, try a later or earlier nap, try a warm bath first, try a story, anything, i think it is sooo cruel to have a small infant cry themselves to sleep, find another way, all that does is make her/him very afraid and alone, they are falling to sleep from exhaustion from the crying not from anything else,and they are falling asleep afraid and alone, doesn't that bother you as a mother?

Answer 6

I'm sorry, sweetie, but not every child naps. And that's hell on mom, who need a nap-time break. My sister had a little girl who stopped napping really early. She still doesn't nap and she's 17.

TX Mom

Answer 7

From my experience, putting the child down after a hearty meal has been effective. You might even want to give her a bottle. Put her in a room by herself and try not to go to her when she cries.

Answer 8

I'm not sure if it will work with a 7 year old, but it works on my 3 year old god son. Whenever his mom puts him down at night he cries because he doesn't like sleeping alone. I always go upstairs and whisper (shhh, ethin you have to stay quiet, we're all trying to go to bed out here and we can't sleep if you scream, okay?" He says okay and is out like a light after that.

Answer 9

Make sure she's tired, and rock her to sleep. Also it helps if you're giving her a naptime at the same time every day. Babies thrive on routine and consistency.

Answer 10

Try some soothing music or nature sounds on CD.