Napping on the go
With naps, you can be more flexible with how your baby sleeps. Indeed you may need to if you are often out at nap times. For us, the sling was king for the first six months and then we progressed onto a soft structured baby carrier.
Often when our daughter was really little she'd sleep for up to four hours in her sling, allowing me to go into town on the train, do some shopping and have lunch and get back before she even stirred! See the Out and About page for more info.
We did find that as she got older she'd sleep more in the carseat and stroller, but we found that during the early months she needed to be close to us to nod off. This is a common trait of a high-needs baby, along with the need to feel movement in order to sleep.
Often when our daughter was really little she'd sleep for up to four hours in her sling, allowing me to go into town on the train, do some shopping and have lunch and get back before she even stirred! See the Out and About page for more info.
We did find that as she got older she'd sleep more in the carseat and stroller, but we found that during the early months she needed to be close to us to nod off. This is a common trait of a high-needs baby, along with the need to feel movement in order to sleep.
Some parents of high-needs babies find their little ones really need darkness in order to sleep, no matter the time of day. This is where this clever sleep pod, which can cover a stroller or carseat, can be very helpful.
When she started sleeping more in the stroller, we found she'd sometimes prefer to sleep facing us or sometimes be facing away. Another high-needs trait: keeping us parents constantly guessing! This is where buggies that can both rear and forward face really come in useful. One of our best sleep-related purchases was this mobile, which can attach to a carseat or baby carriage. It was similar to a mobile we used in her room at night when she moved to her cot, and just starting it up seemed to relax her. |
Daytime dozing at home
What if you're staying at home but, being high-needs, your baby just won't sleep in their bed? Didn't you know that newborn snuggles are the perfect excuse to not do any chores?? I honestly remember with so much fondness my little girl snoozing away on me during the first few months.
But there does come a time when you want to do some jobs and maybe use naptime as a chance to have some 'you time'. Before we managed to get her to start sleeping in a crib, we would either get her to sleep in the buggy or carseat then bring her into the house (carseats that you can attach to a base are great as you just unclick them from their base to bring them into the house) or get her to sleep in the sling or carrier, which meant we could carry on with what we wanted while she dozed peacefully, getting that closeness she so craved. |
If you would prefer a more-hands off approach, then you could consider a soft and snuggly baby beanbag.
Other mums and dads we know swore by getting their baby to sleep in a baby swing chair or bouncer - and (I had to see photos to believe this) - one of these activity centres, when the baby is old enough to use it. You will find what works for you depending on your baby's temperament, and your lifestyle, and of course how strong your arms are! |