5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

Hi everyone! My daughter is a great baby - she sleeps about 9-10 hrs per night and has done so since 10 weeks. She takes about 4 or 5 naps a day; she will sleep in her crib; BUT now she fights it a bit - I let her whine for about 5-9 mins and then go in and then she will go down from about 40mins to an hr and a half typically. That's not really my issue though.
The problem is when we go somewhere, she fights going to sleep. She won't flip out crying, but she gets cranky and if she's super tired, I can sing to her in the car and she'll sleep eventually, usually right when I'm at my destination (of course :)). In the stroller, she'll stay awake forever - she used to sleep in the stroller well when we took walks, etc., but now I think she's too alert and wants to see things. I don't mind so much because she's pretty happy, but I know or think she's tired - she will get cranky and start crying a bit - I try to lower her shade, take away the toys, etc. By 2 hrs of wakefulness, she's ready for a nap. When does this change, in terms of typically staying up longer? Does anyone have any recommendations of how to get her to sleep outside the house, in the stroller, car seat, etc. Today, at the mall, she was up for almost 4 hrs! She fell asleep on me in the Baby Bjorn - which she commonly will do. Sorry for the long post - just looking for some help - from you or a book or website rec.
Thanks!!!

Message edited 9/4/2009 3:37:48 PM.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

My DD is the same way...

She's been STTN since 9 weeks and takes two naps a day at 3-3 1/2 hours each. However, she does not sleep in the car or if she does it's only for 20 minutes TOPS. Forget the stroller, she does not sleep there either. It makes going on long trips impossible because she will scream bloody murder to get out of the carseat after 45 minutes.

Sorry, I have no advice or suggestions, b/c my DD is the same way, I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone!

ETA: My DD also NEEDS a nap after about 2 or 2 1/2 hours of wakefulness (she is 7 months old) but if we are out, she NEEDS to see everything and observe everything. She's afraid she's going to miss something!

Message edited 9/4/2009 3:41:57 PM.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

I don't think there is anything you can do. Some kids need a very specific environment for sleep and as parents we need to accommodate that.
I am all for trying to make them adapt, lord knows I tried with my kids, but neither of them would sleep outside of their room and if they did happen to fall asleep in the car seat as soon as the car stopped they would be awake. There was no transferring them
I've just learned to deal with it. Before you know it she'll be on one nap a day and it will be so much easier and before you know it naps will be done and you'll be wishing they weren't.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

DD is similar in that when she does fall asleep in the car, I have to keep driving in order for her to keep sleeping. She will however sleep in her stroller. She too is almost 6 months old and at that 2 hr mark needs to nap. So I totally get that part! So although I don't have the same exact issue, just wanted to send hugs

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

My DC will not fall asleep in the stroller. They will sometimes in the car if they are very tired.
I try to be home for their naps as much as possible. I will usually go out either in between naps or after they have had both their am and pm naps.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

Karanthony,
How do you condense naps?
She is tired after 2 hrs.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

My son was the same way!!! He would not take a nap unless he was/is put down for one. He will not fall asleep just anywhere or when he's tired.

THere was nothing we could do. We pretty much revolved around his naps and just did things in between them. It s*cked and still does sometimes, but i'd rather have a happy baby than an overtired cranky one.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

DD is a belly sleeper and WILL NOT sleep in the stroller or car seat because she is not her her belly. She is 16 months and a handful of times has slept in the car for 5-10 min max. When we go to peoples houses for parties and such we always bring the pack and play and she will nap for hours. It is a PITA but worth it.

Re: 5 month old won't sleep in stroller (or car sear at times)

i dont think there's anything you can do! that's just how some kids are! mine would not sleep in the stroller if we were out somewhere, only on walks would she fall asleep.