Where does your baby nap?

[watermelon]

I' m asking this question because I think I've created a monster!:eek:

My DD (6 months today!) had always had trouble sleeping both day and night.
We bought her a baby swing a few months ago, and she likes to have her daytime sleeps in the swing in the lounge room. She used to nap in her cot when she was younger and not so active, but now its hopeless - she just crawls around the whole time and won't settle and misses out on her nap altogether. I used the swing to get her to sleep cause initially I thought that any sleep was better than no sleep, but now we seem to have developed a habit. At night she sleeps in her cot but it takes about 1/2 hr to settle her at bed time. We have a bedtime routine that seems to help (dinner, bath, bottle, bed) but obviously can't be doing all that before naps.

There seems to be 2 schools of thought about where to let them nap according to my baby books - some say only let your baby go to sleep in the cot, others say they should nap somewhere else in the day ie pram, car etc.

DD is about to start long day care 3 days a week and I'm worried that her inability to nap in a cot is going to cause problems at day care (and problems for me when she comes home overtired)

As far as I can see, the only way I would be able to wean her off the swing would be to start CC (which so far I have resisted). My mum and MIL both say sleep is better than no sleep and if the swing works don't change it. But I'm sure they're not going to have swing at daycare.

What do I do??? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Sam (34)
Mum to Sophie (20/7/05)

[tahliachloeboyd]

I would let DD nap in the swing as long as she is happy with doing it. I also let my son nap in the swing and he has a similar routine at night. When DD starts school as funny as it seems she will nap in the cot there, children will do anything for other people. I know of many children that do this including DD1 for me, although she isnt in a cot she will not sleep at home anymore but will always sleep at school.
Katrina

Tahlia 6.5.00
Chloe 10.9.02
Boyd 9.10.05

[reAllytee]

When bubs was first born he slept wherever i could get him to sleep !
My arms, my lap, the rocker, the pram or even our bed !
I didnt care as long as he slept !
Unfortunately he grew out of the rocker really fast due to his size but even now at 10mths he still falls asleep in the pram if he is tired. Otherwise he often sleeps on a triangle pillow on the floor in our lounge room if its a really hot day as we have air con downstairs but if the temp is fine then he goes into his cot or with me on the bed just all varies.
I taught him to try & sleep wherever as it makes life easier for us.
So if your daughter sleeps in the swing then use it ! But maybe try getting her off to sleep in it then moving her if your wanting her to get used to her cot.
Just do what YOU & bubs want & what your both happy with it doesnt matter what anyone else says or what the books tell us !!!
The main thing is your both happy especially with bubs getting some sleep :D

[Rainbowbrite]

MJ is 8months & falls asleep on the boob *bad mummy* :p When she's asleep I put her either in her rocker in the lounge room, or in her cot, or in the portable cot, or if i'm tired, we'll go have a sleep together. Occasionally she'll fall asleep in her cot on her own. If its a nice cool day & there's something good on tv then i'll let her sleep on me on the lounge. If we're out then she's usally in the sling so has a sleep there, or in the pram when it gets used (rarely).

Basically, I do what works at the time.

RB

[razzle]

I was the same - Eloise used to nap in her bouncer when she was really little, I'd make it bounce with my foot in front of the telly! Then I rocked her to sleep until she was about 1. I say trust your insticts and do what you feel.