Frustrated when baby doesn’t nap

Don’t feel guilty mama, I’m the same!! Like you say we need those naps to have a break and some us time. Your hormones are still up in the air, you’re probably still a bit sleep deprived and it’s a full time job, you’re doing great. You’ve put him in a safe space, have a cuppa, scroll your phone and go back to him in 5/10 and try again 🤍

You’re not alone.. I completely get the frustrated feeling! I have a baby who is hard to get to nap too and naps for 30 mins max. I just took her out in the car for her first nap as I couldn’t bear the thought of spending so long to get her down for her to just sleep 30 mins.
She ended up sleeping for 13 mins in the car before waking and I too feel really frustrated as she is just going to whine about being tired now 😣

I had this yesterday- she woke up four times during her nap so I was up and down loads and having to rock her back to sleep each time and transfer again so at least 40 mins holding her between all those wake ups and all I could think about was my coffee and I was in a right huff 😭 I saw a great post before about this, about how before naps and bedtimes, babies needs are at their highest, and as mums thats when our ‘cups’ are at their emptiest so theres a big mismatch between what they need and what we have left to give, so we shouldnt feel guilty if we leave them (safe) for 5-10 mins to have a quick drink or brush our teeth or have a wee etc and come back and try again ❤️

Yes it is difficult! I struggled at some point and decided he was probably just not sleepy. So I stretched his awake window and it became so much easier! Also when he’s sleepy he sends signals (losing focus, not laughing etc.) I then put him down to nap - with the right timing it’s super quick just 1 minute and he falls asleep!

I’ve also tried to rest when he is awake instead by letting him play or sit by himself while I chill. That way I am definitely more relaxed and can be more flexible with his nap schedule.

Absolutely same story. It’s hard not having any time or space for yourself 24/7. The only break we get is when they’re asleep or someone else is taking care of them. You did the right thing, nothing to feel guilty about. You handled it the way you should’ve. It’s impossible to be this happy chilled out mum all the time, the amount of energy, emotional and physical, that babies require is tremendous, and you need to give yourself credit for keeping it all together. And next time your baby naps - nap yourself, it makes a world of difference to have some physical rest.