9 Month Old Resists EVERY Nap!

I don't really have a solution for you, but we had the same issues around the same time with our son. By the time he was 8-9 months old, I was so sleep deprived that I was willing to try just about anything. We even had issues at night time and during the night... not just napping. At that age, we used the Ferber method and within a few days, it worked AT NIGHT. We were never able to get him to fall asleep on his own for naps at that age. But I recommend reading Ferber's book "solve your child's sleep problems" (the newest edition)... his method is like crying it out but you'll go in and check on baby every so many minutes at longer and longer intervals...
another suggestion is to make sure that you have room darkening blinds/curtains/whatever on windows in baby's room. this makes a HUGE difference, especiallly in summer when it's so bright out.
just to make you feel better, our son never napped more than 30 minutes at a time until he was about 11-12 months old, and then it gradually turned into an hour, then longer and longer.
is your baby getting enough physical activity while awake? plenty of tummy and crawling around time, if she's not cruising or walking yet? if she's not tired, she's not going to want to fall asleep. also, get her outside as much as possible during the day. fresh air works wonders.
hope this helps
hang in there... it will get better
I also recommend reading "the no cry sleep solution"....
The Ferber method stopped working for us once our son was 1 year old... this book was a life saver! I have the toddler version, but I'm sure either would be useful... lots of great ideas...

L.,

I feel your pain... I really do.

Ideally, every would be 'cured' by the books, and methods touted by doctors. fact is, some are very different, and some work for some families, and some dont. We did a modified CIO method and it seemed to work for us for the most part, though I didn't start it with my son until he was a year old... he is now a pretty decent sleeper (almost 18 mo.). he will take a 2.5/3 hour nap within a few hours of waking up.........now. But his first year was absolute hell for me in the way of either of us sleeping.

There is a lot that is likely working against you for sleep... if she's learning to walk, teething, or learning something new, these things can all wreak havoc on even the best sleepers habits.

I would continue being consistent with whatever method you are most comfortable with, establish your routine (maybe an evening walk, a bath and then bed - fresh air and baths always seem to knock my kids right out) and stick to it. She will eventually get better at this, which I know is not going to help you get more sleep today... but it seems to be sooooo very common at this age/stage.

don't fret too much about screwing her up for life... seriously :) you will have so many better opportunities to be the reason for her therapy as an adult :) this is not likely to be one of them. sometimes we need to just take a step back, take a breather... accept the problem for what it is, and deal with life one hour at a time.

I'm sorry I didn't have a tried and true method that you could put to work for you today... but I wanted to encourage and support you. you're totally not alone on this, and don't stress. :)

Good luck to you... it gets better, I promise :)

First off---relax Momma---your kid won't be screwed up for life....you won't be on Jerry Springer being blamed for ruining her life because she didn't nap...although it feels like that sometimes. (and you are right you'll screw her up anyway--ha ha) I feel your pain as I was there. Our oldest took 2 20 minute naps a day as an infant, if she took any at all. She was and still is a very intense attentive kid who didn't want to miss a thing. I felt like the worst Mommy in the world putting her into her crib in the middle of the day and listening to her cry and cry and cry until she fell asleep. But I had to to retain my own sanity. Now, I'm going to say something that most Mom's will say is a good way to screw up your kid for life...I let her fall asleep in my arms and if she woke up during the transition to the crib, I would hold her while she slept and read a book to myself. Did we have a heck of a time getting her to sleep at night? Yep. Do I think it was related to this behavior of mine? Nope. I think the kid would not have slept at all if not for this. Eventually, I did have to let her cry and cry, but until she was about 10 or 11 months old I had to do this to keep my sanity. Also, take advantage of every sleep chance. If my kid fell asleep in the car I pulled over, sat in the car and let her get a nap. Do what you need to do to keep your sanity!
It stinks having a kid like this as a baby---and at 7 she still requires very little sleep..and hasn't taken a nap since she was probably 2.....good luck!

L., As an old-timer :) with an almost 8yr old who didn't nap well - ever - I just want to say that you will get through this. Hang in there! I was a book reader too. I agree about long term stuff - there are so many ways we'll mess up our kids! It's so hard to trust ourselves when we're first-time parents. But you know your life and child better than anyone. Don't be afraid to do what works for you now. (I also did the stop the car and let him sleep there once he fell asleep - always had a pillow and book for me too so I could nap/rest.) My son never needed the amount of sleep other kids did - at any age. I don't remember ever getting him to nap for more than 30 minutes and he gave them up completely at 2. We found safe ways for him to play quietly while I had a little time to myself. I never understood how so many moms got so much done with their first until I had my second and she napped for hours. If you don't have that safe time to do your own stuff, don't work yourself up about the little stuff. Eventually it will get done. As far as Grandma's house - maybe you can take a nap yourself before you pick her up?? Even 15min might help? Anyway, trust yourself and do what makes it better for you to get through this tough time. Good Luck! LacyLyn