Won't Nap Without Being Held

Some babies are just like this. At first I thought it was something I was doing wrong because my son ALWAYS wanted to be held. Now that I have another child who doesn't mind being put down I know it's just a personality trait. The simplest solution is for you to wear your baby. Get a comfortable sling - I like kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece pouches for smaller babies, Storchenwiege or Didymos wrap slings for all babies and longer carries - and learn how to use it. www.thebabywearer.com can help. There are tons of great videos on you-tube of how to tie slings in different ways. You will have both hands free with a good sling. I can actually wear my 4-month old daughter and at the same time pick up my 2 1/2 year old son long enough to get him in and out of the swing at the park.

Other suggestions: he WILL get used to being set down, but you may need to find the right setting for him. My son fell in love with his Bumbo seat, so he was ok if I put him in that. Once he was a little bigger he was ok for short periods of time alone in the exersaucer too, and the jumperoo thingy too. Don't expect him to immediately be happy about it (or about being worn, if you've never worn him before). Give it 2 minutes the first day. 5 minutes the next, 10 minutes the next, etc. Babies are pretty adaptable, but you need to give them a chance to warm up to it.

How old is he? That's definitely going to make a difference as to what you need to do.

We have one of those swaddle blankets that velcro closed. It works great! Its like being held but you don't actually have to hold him.
Good Luck:)

I bet that your son will be so interested in the other kids in the room (the girls you watch), that you will be spending a lot less time holding and entertaining him. Don't stress, it will all work out.

swaddle!! get him out of the swing, And try this...

try using the Baby Whisperer's EASY method for a schedule, and the Happiest Baby on the Block 5 s's method. Those two combined will make cio not be a needed thing (at that age)
EASY - when the baby wakes up it Eats. After you feed it, then it has Activity - bouncy seat, tummy time, sitting up and playing with toys, swing, exersaucer, etc. When the baby gets fussy check the B's - boredom, butt or burp. If it's none of those then off to Sleep. Don't wait for the baby to do more than get the tiniest bit fussy, then see what is causing the fusses - if it's just that they needed their diaper change do that, but if it's not the activity is boring, the butt is dirty or they have to burp, then put them down. This may happen after as short as 45 minutes, don't freak, it really means they are tired.
Now, to get them to sleep use the 5 s's. Swaddle the baby, hold the baby on their side and sway as they suck on something (paci, your knuckle or their finger/thumb) and make a shush noise. This will calm your baby. When the baby is calm, but not asleep yet, keeping them swaddled lay them in the bed. I like to pat them instead of sway after a minute or two cause you can still pat after they are put down but you can't sway, so pat the baby and continue patting gradually decreasing it as you put them in the bed. Also continue the shushing as you put them down, again gradually getting quieter.
If you do these two you will find a well rested, easily managed baby in no time.