I need advice on getting my 17 month old son to nap. He never really has napped on his own. He'll sleep in the car, ergo or stroller but not in his crib. My husband recently started working more and I have an older at home so I cannot do these thing anymore. For the past week I have been trying to get him to nap after lunch. We read, and I rock him for about 10 mins. He falls asleep but as soon as I put him in his crib he stands up and cries. He'll cry for an hour and a half every day and never fall asleep. I need a new idea since this does not seem to be working.
This really does not solve your problem, but I had the same issue with my son. I just brought the stroller in the house, wheeled him around and let him sleep in there.
B.,
He's teething. Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeething as my husband puts it, and he requires you to continue what you have so lovingly given him.
My son does the same, and we have an older at home. Not impossible and definitely doable. You can enlist the older to help too.
New idea, let him fall asleep in your arms. Get a sling or wrap or backpack (17 months I'd recommend the backpack!) and wear him. He will benefit worlds from it, and you will not lose your sanity.
Good luck,
M.
I had this same problem with our now 20 month old. I have been able to get her to nap in her bed by getting the room dim, warm and cozy before we go in there to nap. Get diaper changed and some water or bottle ready for her to enjoy as she pleases. Spend some mellow time singing, story etc. Then just say 'time to sleep' Or some other brief thing. I then leave the room. If there is crying I do the 5-10-15 thing where you go back in after 5 minutes and soothe briefly. Then again after 10 more minutes if needed. Then again at 15 minutes. Ive never had to go past that 15 minute mark. The whole idea is to help him learn to fall asleep on his own. I also only start the nap time when I see signs of sleepiness. This can be as early at 11:30 or as late as 2! Good luck :)
At that age he should be able to soothe himself..while many are not into the CIO method...I would try that. What do you do for him at night where he goes to bed? Also, if he is crying an hour and a half every day..you are obviously giving in at some point because you go and rescue him :)
Maybe try a sleep sack.
They have them for older babies.
On Amazon.
maybe he is teething?
Hungry?
18 months is usually a growth-spurt time.
I wouldn't let him cry for an hour and a half.
Maybe he is going to nap, too late?
Over-tired babies/kids, actually have a harder time sleeping and falling asleep.
At that age, my son would nap before noon. For example.
After a feeding. My son had a GINORMOUS appetite.
Also, per their developmental changes, (you said he is standing up in the crib), this will also tweak their sleep. They will sit up/stand up in the crib per their impulses and changing motor skills etc. But it being a phase.
On the cusp of an age change/growth-spurt, their sleep often gets tweaked too. Because they are changing.
Or, have a mattress on the floor. Lay with him, then when he falls asleep you can leave.
Its hard.
each kid being different.
Just some ideas.
Maybe you can push his nap time back a few hours. If it is normally at noon, try 2 or 3... he may be so tired he falls asleep. And don't let him fall asleep in your arms.... he will wake up when you put him down. just put him in the crib awake and stand there with a hand on his back... slowly try to take it away as he starts relaxing, but keep singing or humming so he knows you haven't left him... only sneak away once he is fast asleep. This may take a while at first, but eventually he will get used to it. Also, try a mobile or soother to help him be happier in his crib.
