Feeling overwhelmed

In regards to contact napping in the day my little boy LOVED contact naps. I started off by letting him fall asleep on me like normal then slowly putting him in his cot so he wouldn’t wake up, I did this for about a month or so. He was only having 30 mins max in his cot and I read that’s because if they stir and they’re somewhere different than when they fell asleep it can wake them up properly. This week I decided to try put him down awake, gave him bunny, sleeping bag, white noise on and black out blinds like at night. He wasn’t really upset just more protesting at the start then he fell asleep after 20 mins or so. We’ve just had our first week of him napping in his cot and going down awake.
I just say keep persevering and consistency is key.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself though they will get there in their time💕 xxxxx

A friend of mines baby has gone to nursery recently and they only contact napped during the day, he had never slept in his cot. Within a few weeks nursery had him sleeping on his mat with no fuss, after a while of helping him to sleep. You'd be surprised how quickly babies adapt to a new situation and just do what the other babies do. I'm sure your little one would be the same. My little one does not self settle either and the nursery workers have said they would rock him to sleep or do whatever he normally needs. It's scary for us but try not to worry, nurseries are very used to this and can work wonders! I worked on moving my babe from contact naps to cot naps by putting him down already asleep and keeping my hand on him, then putting him down when almost asleep and patting, rocking him in cot until he was asleep. I would pick him up if he cried and cuddle him before putting back down. He still needs help to sleep but can now sleep in the cot once he's in it

I'm so sorry you are feeling like this. Don't feel any pressure when it comes to sleep, if contact naps work for you then enjoy them and know it won't last forever! If you want to try and help her sleep alone, I used a comforter and it helped us alot. I slept with it for a few days until it smelt of me and she used it to go to sleep. I would let her fall asleep on me and then move her to the cot when she was just drifting off. I didnt immediately pick her up when she wouldnt settle, I never let her cry but I rolled her on her side and patted her bum until she settled. I sometimes had to pat her for 15/20 mins but eventually she settled on her own using the comforter and the time got shorter until she just settled herself using the comforter. Also do not worry about nursery, they are miracle workers 😂 my baby started and sleeps so much better there than at home lol they just adapt to you not being there x

Aw I’m so glad you’ve had a successful week. Thank you for the reassurance. I do flip and change and try different things so I’ll give this a good go. Did you stay in the room patting or singing or anything?
Thanks lovely. Hope it carries on going well for you all xxxx

It’s so hard I’ve been there! And as much as I struggled with not getting anything done etc I also loved the contact naps but I felt the same as you and was worried about nursery etc. I left the room but if he was to get upset I would pat his bum and not speak to him or get him out (unless he was really upset). If he’s just protesting but I know he’s fine I leave him and just watch him on the monitor.
They adapt quicker than you think but I think deffo just be consistent with it then they’ll soon realise that that’s the new thing. Sending lots of luck and feel free to message me if you want to chat more xxxx

thank you. That’s really reassuring too. I’ve been trying to put her down it’s not very successful but I suppose it’s just carrying on with the same method for a bit too which I haven’t been doing. Poor girl doesn’t know if she’s coming or going with me haha xxxx

thank you so much. That sounds really positive too. It sounds like I might have to bear a bit of upset but be there and pat for a while. I do enjoy some contact naps sometimes i need a cuddle from her but other I just think I need you to learn to sleep on your own too. Not so worried about nursery now because of you guys thank you honestly xxx

There may be some upset but you will be there, I never left the room and I did pick him up if I needed to. If it helps we do still contact nap occasionally, either when I miss the cuddles or when he's poorly and needs more comfort. It doesn't have to be "never again". We still need to work on night wakes to be honest, as for those I just cuddle straight away, but hoping that will just naturally improve!

Hopefully she won't be too upset, our LG settled really quickly with the bum pat's so hopefully the same for you. I wish my LO liked a contact nap now but she really prefers the cot now so I always tell those mamas that are struggling with the contact naps to cherish them, but I also understand the frustration- if only there was a happy medium! Definitely don't worry about nursery, they work around what baby needs and baby will be so tired from all the play that I think sleep is easier there x

the night wakes will improve with time! You do what helps in the night. Aw sounds like you’re a lovely mum lucky boy xxx

aww I know you know what I can’t wish it away but sometimes I just want a break as well because she knows no other way at the moment. Thank you though it’s true nursery will be completely different to her home environment she’ll be ready for a sleep when they do quiet time xx

Aw I totally understand! You will find what works for you though I'm sure. In nursery they are just little copycats too, my LO definitely sleeps and eats better following what the older babies do x

haha really! Aw at least she’s settled in nursery and that can give you peace of mind. How are you finding leaving her there and going to work? That’s another one of my worries 😂

My little girl contact naps at home and they love giving them to her at nursery too! She doesn't have big naps but she doesn't seem to struggle while busy at nursery. :) they adapt more than you'd think X

aw so lovely that nursery support her like this. I hope mine are the same 😂

absolutely consistency and routine seem to be key. Thank you for sharing as well.