Tips on Naptime?

This could very well be just his naptime routine. If it isn't long and he is otherwise fine I wouldn't stress over it. I don't know if there is anything you can really do to make him not cry. I bet as he gets older he will outgrow it.

The crying likely has nothing to do with sadness. It's a baby's way of expending any excess energy before falling asleep.

If it's just 2 or 3 minutes, it sounds more like he's letting off excess energy before his nap. Babies are learning at a rapid rate and that kind of crying is basically stress release for them since they don't have mature nervous systems yet. I wouldn't worry about it, nor would I really change anything. It sounds like you're doing a fine job.

I appreciate your concern. My DD did this and I didn't understand. I later realized she just needed to fuss before sleeping. My newest baby does that too sometimes.

I am a mom that nurses, rocks, cuddles, etc., my kids to sleep. I am not someone that does CIO. I feel the way that you do: babies should drift to sleep happily and have a happy association with sleep. But sometimes that's just the way they do it. My daughter outgrew that need to fuss before falling asleep at about 16-17 months. and she did not do it all the time.

I think it's very normal and one of those things that might just happen no matter what!

Our son (now 10 months old) did the same thing from 4-6 months. For a while I tried to console him, hold, rock etc. It would take forever to get him to go down for a nap. Then I read in a sleep book about "intense babies" and how due to all the stimulation in their world and how they process it - they need a little time to fuss / cry before they can settle and get to sleep. I tried not fighting it and letting him cry for a couple of minutes and it worked! He turned into a great napper and I realized it was his way of "winding down" before he could sleep.

If he only cries for a few minutes I would say you are doing good. Some babies just need to cry a little to get relaxed and go to sleep. I wish my toddler would have done that when she was little. She screamed anytime I put her down. I think he will eventually accept it.

This has nothing to do with being happy or not wanting to take a nap.

Babies naturally cry to put themselves to sleep. They also have a tendency to cry 30 to 45 mins into their nap for about 15 mins. This is when they are changing from active sleep to restful sleep.

I suggest reading Babywise.

It really sounds like he already is accepting it with a happy heart - it's just M. who's having trouble! You are both OK - just have a routine - rocking, milk, a story book or two - it will get easier.

every baby fights sleep... they don't want to miss anything.. cuz to a 4 month old his world IS very exciting!! 2 or 3 minutes is not anything if he conks out after that. just be glad that it only takes a couple of minutes and then he sleeps soundly...

My 6 month old son does the very same thing although his crying/fretting is only for about a minute now. He too doesn't like to miss things....I have found that he goes down for his naps easier if we've just done something low-key like reading a book, baby yoga "sleepy" poses or just cuddling as opposed to rolling and playing and louder activities. I heard that sometimes babies cry before going to sleep as a self-soothing tactic and/or to shut out other stimuli. I think what your son is doing sounds normal and as unpleasant as it may be for you (I mean really, who wants to hear their little one cry?) he should grow out of it eventually. i hope this helps you.

My daughter did the exact same thing. Up until about the age of 6 months, she would cry for 2 or 3 minutes when we put her down to sleep. I really believe that it was a way that she just released some of her emotions, extra energy; almost a way that she would unwind. She always slept beautifully after that. Eventually she didn't need to fuss anymore and now she goes down happily. I hope that this phase passes for you quickly, I know it can seem a bit unnerving to have your baby cry like that. Personally, I would only start to worry if the crying starts to go on longer and longer. Good luck!

Hi there:) Well when my baby was that little I would usually just nurse him at times I knew he would get sleepy and let him fall asleep that way. It worked awesome. I would just rock him and nurse him and he would sleep. You can do the same with a bottle. My son has slept in his own room since 8 weeks and since about 9 months or so I have been able to put him down still awake and he goes to sleep on his own. Even now I strategically plan my outings so the drive home falls during naptime and I just carry him into his bed, he never even wakes up. I don't do it everyday of course, but when it works out it is awesome! I think all babies go through some fussy patches where it comes to sleeping, but it sounds like you guys are doing great to me! I say whatever works, is great and as they mature they can handle more and more on their own. Best wishes!!

I think this sounds perfectly normal. He may just need to let off a little steam before going to sleep. I think he'll probably grow out of it.

I didn't read all the responses, but letting him cry it out, I think, it a good way for him to learn to self soothe himself to sleep. We did the same thing w/ our son, now 2 1/2, & he still sometimes cries when going down, but gets himself to sleep & is a great sleeper. One thing we have committed to doing is keeping the routine for naps/bedtime the same...wind down a little with some rocking & story time. When he was younger than 6 months I didn't always read books, but would just rock/nurse & talk to him about all his out of town relative he rarely sees (my family). This way he'd get used to hearing their names and it would be like storytime. I didn't always rock him to sleep either. It was good for him to go down while still awake so he knew how to get to sleep :) Hope this helps! Good luck!

If it's 2-3 minutes, I think you are in good shape! I'll bet he is just tired; sometimes when I'm tired I feel like crying a little too--lol. If you lay him down a little earlier and he still cries, it's probably his routine. You may give him a very safe toy to be with and distract him as he falls asleep but nothing with a bunch of obnoxious noises and lights. My daughter did this as well but slept soundly and does much better now (just over a year). We gave her a few cloth books to flip through and when we didn't hear any cooing any more, we would check on her. Often we found her hugging them tightly. It sounds like you are bringing up a very happy boy. good job!

This would be a great time to start a naptime routine if you haven't already. Make the house quiet and peaceful, change his diaper, read a story and sing him a lullaby. If he is crying, maybe pat his back or belly for a little while and sing to him. I'm sure when he gets older and more aware, he will cry less. It sounds like you are doing great! I really struggle with naps with my 21-month-old because who wants to sleep when it is daylight and there are a million things to explore!

Good Luck with that!

You could try some music. The same music every time so he knows what's coming. You are right, it is normal and may be something he never outgrows. It may be a separation anxiety as well. Just don't stress about it.

Just a trick I used with my little girl who still hates naptime. I would let her have one stuffed animal that was soft and snuggly for naptime and even bedtime. Be sure that there are no buttons or any other removable items on the animal that may cause choking. When they feel safe with their favorite stuffed pet they seem to be more calm and easier to go down for naptime. Good luck.

You could try the 'pop in' method. I used it with my son when he was 2, so I dont know if it wil work with a baby. You 'pop in' if they are lying down and quiet. He may not understand, but try explaining you will pop in to see him if he is not crying. If he cries, stand at the door just out of vision and say 'oh dear, I cannot pop in because hes making too much noise' and he may quieten. Then you can go in, give him a quick kiss and pat and then leave. You are rewarding him for not crying. It may work.

Sometimes, babies do this when they are overtired. They act a little fussy.I am assuming you have tried putting his fist in his mouth or a pacifier for him to try self soothing?

Also placing him with the top of his head placed against the side bumper or in a corner of his cradle/crib, can also help mimick the womb... Sometimes a rolled up towel or blanket can also help...