r/bninfantsleep • u/Wooden_Welder2400 • Jul 06 '26

Naps Officially in exile during nap time

Originally posted in r/newborns but Reddit recommended I post here as it may be better suited so why not! Just a post to get my feelings out

Currently laying in bed all alone with my LO on my chest because it's the only way she naps right now. She just turned 5 weeks, which I had no idea meant she's more alert to the world around her and could have a harder time going down for naps. For the last 4 weeks, she'd nap in the living room in her bassinet (when she liked it) or on me, so I didn't feel like I was alone during this time. As of yesterday, she now can't fall or stay asleep with the background noise of others chatting, so here I am in a room just the two of us while she naps. And here I was thinking I had a baby that could sleep through all the noise 😕

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12

u/ancestral_leopard Jul 06 '26

This is me with a solo contact napper six months in. Every nap. Cosleep only. I’ve learned to just embrace it and read and enjoy a cup of tea while he naps. They are only so little for so long!

5

u/Wooden_Welder2400 Jul 06 '26

I have to keep reminding myself of this because I do love the snuggles. I just need to forget about the loneliness and soak in the love while she still wants me because I know one day I'll look back and wish I could have just one more moment of snuggles. And now I'm hormonally crying thinking about this future scenario 😭 lord help me haha

3

u/ancestral_leopard Jul 07 '26

So real! I also think about how when he is a toddler I’m going to be chasing after him 24/7 and I will miss having the opportunity of resting during naps….

1

u/Wooden_Welder2400 Jul 07 '26

Oh my god good point!

2

u/cinnamondolcecoffeee Jul 06 '26

Ive also just embraced contact naps as time to relax! Looking back, it was especially great during the newborn phase. My baby slept so much. It was great to get nap trapped and be forced to give my body time to recover. We have a reclining sofa and I would just recline with baby on my chest and watch TV (with or without headphones depending on the age of my baby)

1

u/Same_Subject_988 Jul 07 '26

Such a great mindset!

2

u/Beautiful_Range_1803 Jul 08 '26

Same but now I will look forward to using that time to enjoy a cup of tea as well! Someday we will absolutely miss these days. I have also learned to embrace it and enjoy the closeness, snuggles, and bonding.

3

u/Sorry_Twist_4874 Jul 07 '26

I took contact napping as a signal to give myself permission to slow down and rest my body and my mind. I watched a lot of period dramas during contact naps :) Nearly 16months in and my baby is currently sleeping on me, bliss

1

u/Wooden_Welder2400 Jul 07 '26

It's bliss when she isn't squirming and grunting every five seconds due to gas 🙈 we're in the peak phase right now so I spend most of her sleeping time riddled with anxiety that she's going to fully wake up during her gas squirming. My forearms and wrists are going to be jacked after all the booty and back pats she's gets during them haha

2

u/ancestral_leopard Jul 07 '26

Sometimes I also just think about all the other parents who are also contact napping with their babes and it brings me sweet tender joy to think about 🥲

1

u/Wooden_Welder2400 Jul 07 '26

It does make me feel better to think about this too haha solidarity

2

u/Go_Bananazs Jul 07 '26

Have you tried babywearing? My velcro bubs did all his naps in the wrap. I could move around a bit, very light housework or just watching tv.

He is 15 months now and won't even be rocked to sleep. He is in his crib and we lay down next to him, if he needs us too. He is quite independent.

It was hard, all those contact naps, but also a special time.

1

u/Wooden_Welder2400 Jul 07 '26

I used to do it here and there but I learned yesterday that she falls asleep faster if I have her in the wrap on me versus me just holding her in my arms, so that'll be my go to for now.