I Can't Get Her to Nap????????

Do you have a sling? My son lived in one for months-LOL
How about stroller rides, rides in the car, loud rythmic noises (dishwasher, washer, dryer).
Hang in there

When my son would get bad. I would make sure I cleaned him with warm water on a cloth instead of wipes. Then pat the area dry. If it got really bad I would then put Lotramin (anti-fungal) on for one changing and that would usually do the trick.
God luck.

I agree having a routine help. When you see the signs of when your daughter getting sleepy, start the routine. She might be overtired, or overstimulated, which makes it hard to go to sleep. This is also the time when the can develop colic/teething pains, so this might be a factor also. So apart from a routine, I'd try these things:
-homeopathic remedies (available in most any drug store: Clams Forte and teething tablets) and/or Gripe Water
- wearing her in a baby carrier (worked wonders for our kids, there's a great forum called www . thebabywerar . com if you want/need info on babywearing)
- baby massage with a lavender-scented baby massage oil
- the stroller/car ride can also be great (but careful, then you can get locked into having your child only fall asleep there!)
- nursing/bottle feeding to sleep
- laying down with her in bed and cuddling, BOTH of you resting until she drifts off (sounds like you have a long day, I'm sure you could use the rest)

I hope this helps. Just remember, babies schedules and needs are constantly changing their first year of life. It's normal, and she will grow out of the fussiness!

My daughter did not nap at all for probably the first 6 months or more (and i had twins so it was horrible, in addition to a husband that traveled 4 days a week). But, now she takes THREE HOUR naps! My advice is to just be patient - as hard as it is - b/c babies go through so many stages.

One thing that i found with her - and ofcourse every baby is different - but she will NOT nap before 3pm - i know its odd, but she will not go to sleep if i put her in before then. So, maybe try tiring her out with lots of stimulation and then try a later nap.

I would try driving her around in the car too! Bring a book or magazines with you, so if she falls asleep you can read - go through the drive thru and have lunch or a snack.

good luck - i know how difficult it is - but it will pass so try not to let it take you over the edge!!

oh...and someone mentioned the swaddle - worked wonders with my son - its worth a try!!!!

Will she fall asleep in her stroller during a walk? Maybe put her in her car carrier seat? My son would zonk out in the stroller and/or on a car ride.
When she does go for a nap, I would leave her in her crib as long as she is safe and not crying/fussing...she may just surprise you and fall asleep. Does she like to be swaddled? If so, swaddle for her nap. Play some soft lullabye music, make sure the room is as dark as it can be in the daylight. Good luck!

Dear J.,
I had (actually still have) the same problem with my son.No bed, no swing, nothing at home. But I have the magic -stroller! The thing is that I have to walk because whenever I stop he wakes up. So I walk twice a day for two hours and he is in a great mood, perfectly rested. My feet sore.... at least I lost all of my pregnancy weight :-)
Hope I helped!
M. K

My son wasn't a napper except for sleeping on me while nursing. You could try 'wearing' her in a baby sling. I have a ring sling and a fitted sling (which I like much better). You'll be able to get some stuff done and she'll be more relaxed. Your movement should help her fall asleep.

Reading your post almost sounded like a carbon copy of mine. She's toying with you, don't let her, and don't underestimate the extent to which a growing baby can understand. ;)

My daughter has always been a terrible napper. Around 3-4 months she went through an awful stage where she just would not sleep!!! So, I wonder if it is just something with that age? It did get better, but I spent many days crying over it! Even now she sleeps very erradically, especially for naps. There were a lot of times that the only way I could get her to sleep was in my arms in a rocking chair. She also used to sleep well in the car, so I would plan any car rides around when she needed to sleep. If you think she might be teething, you can try using Baby Orajel or giving her Infant Tylonol and see if that helps. Infant Motrin helped SO much when my daughter was teething and the pain kept her awake. However, the Infant Motrin can't be given until 6 months. Hang in there- I know how difficult sleeping issues can be- it really drains every ounce of your energy. This is probably a phase and before you know it things will be different.

Sleep has to be the most controversial topic with new moms after breastfeeding. So you are going to get a range of advice on this one, I am sure. What worked for us was that I read Dr. Ferber's Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems and followed his advice and methods. At around 4 months you can begin with him, esp since you are just working on naps. I know getting and reading another book may not sound like the most fun thing in the world right now, but I urge you to read the book of whatever method you try-- lots of people think they understand Ferber (or any of the other ones), don't read the book, and end up not doing it right.

Good luck. This WILL get better.

I had a son just like your daughter and I thought I was going to go insane. Before I say anything else, I want you to know that there is an end to all this :) And you will make it through it. Some suggestions and what worked for me: Do you have set times that she goes down for a nap? You may want to come up with times when she seems the sleepiest and then set those as nap times. Then set a set routine that you do before each nap time. For me it was reading a book with him saying a little prayer and then putting him in his crib and patting his back or rubbing his tummy for a little bit until he was almost asleep and then leaving. The set time and the routine will get her so that she knows what's coming and it's predictable. Next, you may have to let her cry in her crib for a little longer. I know, it is sooooo hard to listen to your child cry for you and you not being able to comfort her but in the long run it will be best for the both of you. With my son I started out letting him cry for 5 min increments and then went in comforted him and left again. (Never taking him out of the crib) and he had to stay in his crib for a full hour. If this doesn't sound like something you can do you could try patting his back or rubbing his tummy until she falls asleep the whole way, but you eventually should work so she is less and less asleep as time goes on just so she gets used to going to sleep on her own. I hope this helps. :)

try putting the baby in a sling. you never know, it may work. good luck.