naps?

Hi Everyone!

I have twin boys aged 2 1/2 months. Up until this point, they have been napping in rockers or swings or in my arms. I have finally reached the end of my rope, and I want them to learn to soothe themselves in their crib for naps. Nighttime goes pretty well. My husband and I soothe them for a few minutes, then put them down. There usually isn't much crying; if there is, we ignore it. Naps have been another story. I have tried a few days of CIO with limited success. Occasionally, after 1/2 hr. or 45 min. one of them may drift to sleep--and stay that way for 45 min. The other one may be up screaming. I was wondering what techniques people have used to establish naps, with the least crying. We start baths, bottle around 7 PM at night, with actual bedtime at 7:30 PM. Wake up is usually around 6 AM. And, as my post may suggest, naps are sporadic and irregular. Any infor. would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

We really didnt have any sort of schedule emerge until about 4.5 months for sleeping. Naps were sporadic throughout the day and we tried for a 7ish or so bedtime but they still woke at night to eat. I would say at this point do whatever you can to get them to sleep and wherever too. I would not worry about them being able to self soothe at this point although that is a nice plus in a couple of months or so.

 

I'm a terrible example since my Addison STILL prefers naps in her swing, but we didn't even try to start with naps in the crib until about 4 months old.

They were great at night in the crib, but naps were a different story. Why do naps need to be so hard???

No real advice, I just know where you are comign from!

 

I'd just continue the swings. If you have a Baby Bjorn or sling, that would be another good option for one baby, and you'd at least have hands free that way. I know you're at the end of your rope, but the babies are just too young to self-soothe - they really can't cope with it on their own yet. So I'd just keep letting them sleep wherever they can sleep, and worry about getting them in the crib later.

FWIW, HSHHC says that the part of the brain that creates organized daytime sleep (real naps, not just crashing here and there) does not mature until 12-16 weeks from the due date (not birth date). There is light at the end of the tunnel! They may not be quite there yet, but it's coming.

Try to put them to sleep not too long after they wake up - 1-1.5 hrs, maybe - and do whatever it takes. Swings, slings, good tight swaddling, paci... And hang in there! This too shall pass. :hug99:

 

If you're getting yours to go down at 7:30 and stay until 7:00 a.m. (even with night feedings) my hats off to you. We can't wait until they go to sleep sometime before midnight.

We do white noise for naps, swaddle tightly, swings are fine. I don't let them nap in my arms...although, as I write this Lulu is in my arms, napping...she has a cold. I can't resist her sweet little cries for momma when she's sick.

 

I avoided too much trying by putting the boys down at the first signs of tiredness - sometimes only an hour after their last nap ended, never more than two hours at that age (but rarely that long). I read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child and got a lot of great ideas from that book. I didn't even know such young babies could learn to self soothe to be honest. My James actually used to go down without any kind of fuss at that age and just fall asleep on his own but that ended at about 4 or 5 months. Evan, on the other hand, was a really needy newborn and suffered from colic (rough times) and is now an amazing sleeper. He goes down without even a wimper and sleeps 12 hours at night. Just goes to show you - every baby is different.

 

QUOTE(o+o @ Nov 21 2007, 07:20 PM) [snapback]504951[/snapback]
I have tried a few days of CIO with limited success. Occasionally, after 1/2 hr. or 45 min. one of them may drift to sleep--and stay that way for 45 min. The other one may be up screaming. I was wondering what techniques people have used to establish naps, with the least crying.


Just my opinion, but i think 2 1/2 months is too young to do CIO. I've seen previous posts saying the same thing. With my oldest, i didn't start cio until around 6-7 months.