The Nap Quest

John has been a notoriously difficult napper.  He'll nap GREAT in your arms (3 hours at times!), just as well in the sling or moby or bjorn, and OK in his swing or car seat... but anywhere else?  Forget it!

So, last week when he started to fling/roll himself out of his carseat, I realized that the time had come for him to nap someplace safe, such as the Pack N Play.  Since at night he sleeps with us in bed, this is a serious change!

I am uncomfortable with the "Cry it Out" and "Controlled Crying" methods, so I'm using an adapted Baby Whisperer technique.  I get him sleepy but not *quite* asleep, put him down and then rub/pat his back and say "shhhh" until he sleeps.  If he wakes up and cries, I pick him up, comfort him and put him down.  Repeat ad nauseum.

Monday was our first day of The Nap Quest.  I put him down a dozen times on his back in the PNP, but he would startle/move/twitch and realize he was 1. Alone and 2. Had a Lot Of Space.  When you think about it, cuddled in my arms or the wrap or a carseat is kind of like a swaddle.  He doesn't have much room to manuver, and his sleep twitches are contained.  I finally got him sleeping on his side... and had 30 minutes of good napping before the phone rang.

I now can turn off the ringer.

Yesterday I just didn't have the stomach for it... but today we tried again.

Worked perfectly the first time (FLUKE I'm sure)! He got almost asleep in my arms, I put him down *on his tummy* and he passed out immediately.  Now, I realize there is a "back to sleep" campaign, but since he is strong and able to pick up his head and face and rolls freely, I decided to try his tummy -- if he startled it would be less movement.

So far.  So good.  15 minutes and counting !  Yahoo!

Both the following photos are from my phone... didn't want to risk waking him up with the "CLICK" of the big camera!

 Afraid to move my hand!

Moved it.. still sleeping.  Awww.  As I took this he was "nursing" in his sleep. I love this little boy so much!