6 Month Old Does Not Nap at All

I would like to suggest the book "no cry sleep solution" that gives ideas for understanding a child's sleep patterns and how we can help them sleep.

Also, my son is now a year old and has never slept a lot. Looking back over the last year, there were points where he just needed to be close and I would wear him (in a carrier, or in my bathrobe even!) while he napped. That way he could get the sleep he needed and feel safe and comfortable with naptime. Sometimes it took a few days, but after keeping him close for a little while he would nap on his his own (usually after some breastmilk). Try the book I mentioned, it has good suggestions for things to check about our own behavior and our child's surrounding, and how those might affect baby's ability to nap. It's a tricky balance between encouraging a nap before they're tired enough, or after they're overtired! Hang in there!

All said, from your post it still sounds like she is getting enough sleep, and rest time may just be all that she needs.

Take care!

Well she may just be getting enough sleep at night, but it may be something else. Do you nurse her until she's fast asleep at night, but the transfer works then? Have you tried not letting her fall asleep nursing? Maybe the fact that she falls asleep nursing is what makes it hard to fall back asleep when she's in her crib? Maybe pull her off the breast just as she's slowing down and not swallowing anymore.

Good luck!

Hi W.. All the books will tell you that a baby this age should sleep more - with that said - people who write books do not know everything and every child is different. I have an 8 month old that has never been big on naps. He takes a 45 min nap in the morning and maybe a 45 min nap in the afternoon if I am lucky(and does not sleep through the night - so be thankful for that one). I think it is great that she is getting her quiet time in the crib - you can't make her fall asleep. I would not be concerned. Best wishes

My kids gave up their naps in the same week - she was 8 mos and he was 3. Every child is different. Just put her in for her quiet time and don't sweat it. She is sleeping through the night. Life is good.

It sounds like this is working okay for her now, especially since she is sleeping so well at night, and I wouldn't be too worried about her well-being yet.

However, I also believe that sleeping is very important and an often overlooked part of kids' health. I would suggest you be persistent with trying to get her to nap, especially since you say she is almost "delerious with tiredness." That 's not okay for her OR for you!!

I know you say you see her tired signs, but by that time it may be too late. I would suggest going with thte 2up 2down rule. After she has been up for a 2-2 1/2hours, do a nap, even if she seems wide awake. At that age, my baby would act wide awake, but as soon as she saw her crib and I went to change her diaper, she would start rubbing her eyes.

Nurse her to sleep, and put her down in the crib as soon as her sucking slows. At this point I wouldn't worry about trying to put her in the crib without nursing, most babies don't do that for a few more months.

The fact is that she will change her sleep patterns several times within the first 18-24 months. For instance, when she starts eating a lot of solids, it may all change. A heavy meal is great for sleep. So don't give up. My daughters kept two 2-hour naps until they were 2 and now going strong at 13 months (and sleep 11-12 hours at night). All kids are different, but I wouldn't give up. Just don't get too stressed out in the process!

Hi W., My 7 month old had this same problem. No Naps. It was awful. She was cranky and not learning to the best of her ability. Pediatricians, friends, and family all told me that some kids just don't nap but, she was just so miserable. A friend with the same problem gave me a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. He has studied sleep problems in children from birth and up for 30 yrs. He is very informative and has solutions for almost every situation. My baby who did not sleep a wink during day time hours now normally sleeps 1 1/2 hrs-2 1/2 hours twice a day. She is happier and learning so much faster than before. A child needs a nap no matter what people tell you. It was a lot of work and took a lot of consistency and still continues to be a problem at times but, the work is so worth it. You really should check out this book it was a life saver for us. Hopefully it helps and I hope that your little girls learns to nap. Good luck.

My son didn't usually have troubles with napping. Sometimes a bit of fresh air, a walk in his stroller (even in the mall over winter) would put him right to sleep. For some reason he always fell asleep in the car (in his car seat) whenever we drove anywhere. He's 10 now and still falls asleep in the car fairly quickly.