How do I stop night-time contact naps for my 3-month-old?

Consistent routines help, but many babies grow out of contact naps gradually as their sleep cycles mature.

Community Answers from Moms(8)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   A consistent bedtime routine helps, but contact naps are very common at 3 months.

2. 2

   Try putting baby down in deep sleep, but expect it to take time — this phase naturally improves.

3. 3

   Contact napping is very common in the early months; some babies just are contact nappers and start outgrowing it around 6 months (some take longer). Around 2-2.5 months you can start holding for 30-45 minutes until deep sleep, then putting down.

4. 4

   To put a baby down: wait 15-20 minutes until deep sleep, do an arm test (raise the arm and let it fall - if it doesn't wake them, put them down), keep the bed warm, shush and pat when putting down, and play white noise throughout.

5. 5

   Talking to the baby ('I'm going to put you in your bed to sleep peacefully') can help - mine looks at me and goes back to sleep.

6. 6

   Co-sleeping safely can help with the active-sleep arm movements that wake babies - sleep in a C-curl so your body touches the baby, or use a wedge/pillows on both sides to support arms (keep it safe). Many parents adjust to co-sleeping within about two weeks and the baby sleeps better.

7. 7

   Around 6-7 months you can make one nap (the shortest first nap) a no-contact nap - hold 20 minutes then put down.

8. 8

   Have your husband or a nanny do a contact nap occasionally so you get a break. A pacifier can help too - try a few types since babies prefer different kinds.