The Ever Morphing Nap “Routine”
Routine is said to be key when it comes to baby sleep habits. I took this to heart and have consistently provided a reliable routine to help my little one recognize that it is time to sleep. Ever since I was able to get her into her own crib she has been sleeping like a champ. I was on cloud nine, energetic, more organized, more tolerant and patient, and most of all – rested! This has changed slightly with the onset of a fever and learning to crawl, which I expected.
What I did not expect was the road block that has presented itself recently around naps! This child won’t let me rock her, won’t let me cradle her, doesn’t want to be left in her crib, doesn’t want a lullaby, doesn’t want her pacifier, nothing; and her answer to my efforts comes in the form of screaming.
The past two days, my bag of tricks has been completely abused. I am not new to incessant screaming, purple crying, and high cryer. My baby gave me a crash course on the subject soon after I brought her home ( for more info on colic, please refer to “I thought I liked the color purple”). The other day, however, I realized quickly that as soon as that “Period of Purple Crying” subsided, I didn’t look back. It has been difficult to recall exactly how I managed back then, and it was only a few months ago! Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. One hour of crying is nothing compared to the hours upon hours that 1 in 4 mothers experience in those first few months, but I had completely forgotten what it was like to sooth an “unsoothable” baby.
She clearly no longer wants to be cradled and rocked, swaddled or soothed, much to my maternal grief. I’ll spare all the details, but let’s just say it has become a bit of a song and dance getting her to sleep for her naps. That is, an hour long song and dance.
Changing sleep patterns are inevitable, so how have you managed the adjustment periods?
Naps aren’t so bad for us and our 2.5 (almost) year old, as long as he’s on schedule. Miss that start time and he quickly melts down. Bedtimes however…. that’s a process that really stinks! Someone has to lay down with him in his bed until he falls asleep…. and whoever it is usually falls asleep before he does!
You are so right!!! I had been trying just about everything and found that I was putting her down for her second nap at the wrong time. Just that one hiccup in the daily schedule threw everything off, and even made the next day rough. First nap: 10am, Second nap: 2pm. She is napping MUCH better now that I have figured that out, but it seemed like it took ages before I made that connection. I also lengthened the process of putting her down, which helped tremendously even before I made the correction to her nap schedule. I spend about 10-15 mintues reading books in her room with the same lullabies playing that we use for her bedtime routine. Basically recreating a mini-bedtime routine. The start time is so important, though – what an “Ah-ha!” moment!