Nap question

I am going to start putting them down in their cribs during the day for naps. I have tried before and they would only sleep about 20-30 minutes and then wake up. Sometimes not even that long. What is the best way to transition them? How long should it take? If they refuse to sleep in their cribs, should I let them nap elsewhere? I want them to get enough sleep, so do I let them fall asleep elsewhere and them move them to their cribs. Do I just keep trying to put them in their cribs when they fall asleep until they get the hang of it? Any suggestion and tips would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, the will be 5 months old next Monday.

Hollye

 

I always say if it isn't broke don't fix it.

I didn't worry about where they took naps, as long as they took them, kwim? If mine napped in the swing or the bouncy I let them be. They usually napped better and longer wherever they chose to fall asleep at.

 

I kinda agree with Jamie. If it works, keep doing it.

 

I put mine in their cribs for naps by 2 months. My ped. said it was important for them to know that the crib means sleep. They never fall asleep in their bouncy or swings. They will occassionally fall asleep in the stroller or car. Good luck with the transition. I'm sure they'll do fine!

 

HI,

I transitioned mine at 4 months -- I moved their swings into their room and slept them in the swings for a bit then moved them to the crib once they were used to the room.

they now sleep in their cribs only and it didn't take that long.

I also swaddle tho(even at 7 mos -- now, I just leave their arms out)

Teri D

 

I let mine sleep where ever they want. But if we are playing and one of them gets cranky I lay them down in their cribs for a nap.

 

mine are just 1 day older than yours! and we just started making the transition to crib napping about 2-3 weeks ago. up until that point, i let them sleep wherever, usually the swing, bouncy, or on me! but i wanted to start getting a better routine down. i started with eating, that is going well, so now we're workign on the naps. i also still have to swaddle, or they won't sleep long at all. DD will usually sleep 1-2 hrs. now, though usually wakes 1x, but usually easy to get back down (though not alwasy!) DS, on the other hand, is one of those that wakes after 15-20 misn. If i catch it early, i can get him back down, anywhere from 15-40 more mins. unfortunately, he often ends up comign back out the living room and napping "the old way". so we're still not "there" yet, but working on it. Let me know if you have any more success or tips as well! good luck!
dee

 

My boys slept in their car seat until around 4 1/2 months for both naps and night time. I was so nervous for that transition.

This is what we did: We started with just naps. I would pat them and hum really loud until they fell asleep. We started this around 4 1/2 months. We also used a noise machine and CD lullaby at the same time. Within a couple, I felt they knew the routine and Seamus would even hum (quiet whine) along with me. AFter about 2 weeks of practicing for naps, then we did the same routine for bedtime. Within days, I became completely exhausted from all their night wakings and that is when we did CIO. I think the fact that we taught them how to sooth themselves during naps helped when we did CIO.

The reason we only did nap time at the beginning was ebcause they slept so good and for longer stretched in their car seat and I was not physically/mentally ready to deal with the crib for night sleeping