How do you get your infant into a napping routine?

DS is 12 weeks and a horrible napper. This is so foriegn to me because DS#1 was so excellent when it came to napping. He fell into a schedule very quickly and early... it also helped that I was home to help guide the schedule.

Now with DS#2, he is with the babysitter every day will nap in 30 min spurts. And it's pretty much the same at home on the weekend. If we lay him down, he screams. If he falls asleep in our arms and we lay him down, he wakes up and screams. He's STTN 10-12hrs, but he needs to nap during the day too.

Any advice??

How do you get your infant into a napping routine?

My DD sleeps 20-30 min sessions too. I look for signs she is ready & i draw the blinds put on some music & give her her lil soft "blankie". Some times I rock her cribbie or let her fuss on her own till she passes out.
You could play for a bit to tire him out or go for a walk then try putting him down.

Re: How do you get your infant into a napping routine?

At that age, it was more important to figure out how long DS was able to stay up and make sure I got him down before he was overtired. That was the best way to prevent the screaming/crying when putting down. Unfortunately, at that age, there isn't really anything you can do to prolong a nap, I think 30 mins is average.

DS was up about 90 mins at a time then and it was much easier to get him to nap when I caught him at the perfect moment.

AND I started napping him in the swing around 3 months (wish I started sooner), easier for him to fall asleep and then he stayed asleep longer, stopped it around 5 months.

How do you get your infant into a napping routine?

At 3 months they can really on,y be awake for 90 minutes at a time. Around that time I out her I her swing. If I miss it and push it to 2 hours the. She cries, screams and is overtired. She will eventually pass out but if I miss my window it's much harder.

Re: How do you get your infant into a napping routine?

We are not on any type of routine. I let DD nap whenever she wants for however long, but not through a feeding. There are days where she is complete sleepy baby (like today) and sleeps a ton and others where she will not sleep a wink even though she is overtired and exhausted. I hate when it gets to the fussy/crying point but she still refuses to sleep. As a FTM, I'm still trying to find my way with pretty much everything.