Napping when out/wearing your baby

[donnag]

Hi all

Just wondered if anyone else with a HN baby has trouble getting them to nap when they are out? I am fine as long as I have the stroller, if not it can be a nightmare loads of crying, rocking and distracted by the smallest things.

My problem is that although Lara is now better behaved I know if I have to get her to nap when out like at my parent and baby class (where I can't take the stroller) it is a nightmare!!!! Loads os screaming, then I finally get her to sleep for her to be woken by someones voice etc. I am finding that she is very noise sensitive now (6 and a half months). I ended up leaving before we hit total melt down - as soon as she is in the car or back home she will nap no problem!

Everyone else seems to be able to get there baby to sleep in there sling/carrier. I have a baby bjorn that I use loads, but she hasn't slept in it since she was a newborn. I am thinking of upgrading to a Pikkolo as I need a carrier where she can be worn facing out to see the world. Just wondered if you are able to get your older HN baby asleep in a carrier when you are out? Does anyone have a Pikkolo carrier - would you recommend it? Many people I know have the Ergo, but as you can't wear the baby on your front facing out I don't think it will work for Lara!

Thanks

[Hollyadmin]

I've never heard of the Pikkolo! I did use the Ergo but like you said, they can't be facing out in it.

My daughter simply refused to sleep when we were out. Not in the stroller, not in the carrier, not in the car, not in our arms. Occasionally we could get her to sleep in a playpen if we were at someone's house, but that was rare. I tried everything!  We eventually just gave up trying to get her to sleep when we were out...she was WAY too aware of everything around us, every little noise, every person, etc. I remember when she was 13 months old, she fell asleep for the first time in the car...we couldn't believe it.  When she was 10 months old, we flew to Germany. She stayed awake the entire trip, even though she was so incredibly overtired. She finally had a complete meltdown around hour 15 and slept for ONE FREAKING HOUR.

My son was actually better about falling asleep in public. Not after about 4 months old though. Some kids are just good at it, and some aren't. In my experience, there's not much you can do to change that. It's worth trying stuff, but don't feel like a failure if it doesn't work!!

[annick.rauch]

I've never heard of a pikkolo either... however i have something called a snugglie and I can wear my son 3 ways, facing me, facing away and on my back. he's only 2 and a half months so we've only tried facing me so far.. but he really loves it.

i don't have any ideas for you as for the sleeping though... sorry.

[MDT]

Like the others, I've never heard of the Pikkolo.  My son is a terrible napper both in and out of the house. He won't even sleep in the car, which is so frustrating because I've always heard stories from everyone about how the car puts their kids right to sleep.  Well, not mine!  The ONLY way I've ever gotten him to sleep was in my Moby wrap.  But even then, I have to continue moving around to keep him sleeping.

[donnag]

Thanks everyone - if I take the stroller she will nap OK. We seem to be going through one of those I can only nap for 30mins fads at the moment and don't even think about making me sleep when I am out!

I hadn't heard of the pikkolo either it was recommended by someone I met at a baby group. I said I was dreading when Lara outgrew the baby bjorn as she LOVES it soooooo much and she said I should look at the pikkolo as it's the only one she knew of that still offers the facing out option.

Here's a link for info - should last until around 2 years old or so!

http://catbirdbaby.com/index.php/pikkolo-info/

It's a little more expensive than I would like to spend, but can you really put a price on a high needs baby's happiness ;-)

[ZAGMom]

Our baby wont nap when out ... there are too many things stimulating her!

A comment on all of the "put your baby in the car and they'll fall right asleep" comments from friendly strangers--I feel your pain.  We finally found a possible solution.  We swaddle our baby tightly and make sure to leave the bottom loose between her feet (it took a lot of practice to get this one down though happened the first time by mistake).  Then we either rock her or sling her into a drowsy state and use the white noise app on our iPod Touch to keep her asleep once we first get in the car.  If we are on a highway and going straight, it works for about two hours (tada!). 

Getting to the highway is a whole other story ... but in case any of these suggestions help someone, we are happy to share!  Again, it's usually touch and go, but any suggestions help ...

[sombrabella]

Thanks Donna for the mentioning the pikkolo carrier and providing the link! Like the others I hadn't heard of it but I'm so glad to know about it! I have been on a desperate search for a carrier since Elliot has outgrown our Snuggli.  We need one that faces out because that's the only way he's happy, so the Ergo was out.  We have a Moby, but it's been so hot here in the Midwest this summer that I couldn't bear wearing so much fabric.  Plus Elliot can squirm his way out if he tries hard enough, so it's still not hands-free!

I'm gonna save my pennies and dimes and order one asap!

[mosaicnasa]

topic discussed is really nice and surely i will contribute heare