When do you start wearing a Postpartum Support Belt?

Attachment Parenting and napping?

• For those of you who practice attachment parenting, how do you get your baby to nap, and at what age do they usually start being able to nap on their own? My 5.5 month old sleeps in a crib at night and usually goes down fine, but he now fights naps terribly even though it is clear he is tired. He is really cranky for much of the day because he is overtired. All the things that once worked (baby-wearing, swing, car ride, stroller, co-sleeping) no longer work. The only thing that works in nursing the entire time. As soon as I take him off, he wakes up, no matter when in his sleep cycle. I know AP proponents don't support sleep training, but I am concerned that if I continue to let him nap on the breast he will not get restful sleep (continues sucking the entire time) or learn good sleeping habits. Not to mention that being trapped on the couch for huge chunks of the day doesn't help my efforts to shake off postpartum depression. I do not adhere strictly to AP principles, but I am influenced by them. I am not looking for book recommendations (already read most of them). I am just wondering what the progression for AP children tends to be with regard to napping and what I can expect should I continue to nurse baby through naps. Thanks!

• Answer:

  From my experience and from others, right around 5-6 months, they hit a napping strike, where they don't sleep like they used to. I am pretty sure it's a developmental stage that causes this. I would try to rock and nurse, then place into crib and rub belly, pat, do whatever you little one likes until he's asleep again. I remember that stage like it was yesterday!