My daughter’s crib is where she should be napping, but my family will not let me. Though, to be honest, I only have four weeks left of maternity leave, so I am not that interested in attempting to encourage her to nap on her own during these final few weeks with me. I know that in principle they think it will be easier for me if she does. You know, do not fix what am not broke? She is currently 3 months old.
However, they are concerned that I may find it more difficult when she gets older and advise me to start now. Does that have any merit? Or will she grow out of her contact naps on her own?
It’s understandable to want to maximize your time with your daughter. While contact naps are comforting now, transitioning to crib naps could ease future routines. Both approaches have merit; balancing current bonding with gradual crib training might offer a smooth adjustment for both of you.
Personally, I found that babies often naturally adjust their napping routines as they grow older. While starting now might make things easier later on, it’s not necessarily urgent. Trust your instincts and enjoy this precious time with your little one. She’ll gradually settle into her own nap patterns in due course.
Yes, babies naturally outgrow contact naps as they get older. However, it’s normal for infants to prefer sleeping close to their caregivers during the early months.
Try to relax and enjoy sleeping with your baby beside you. Babies gradually change their nap patterns as they grow older and can then sleep independently.