Hey there, mama friends! Let’s chat about those early days of motherhood, shall we? I remember a particular morning when my toddler, Max, was feeling under the weather with a fever and a nasty cold. Instead of bouncing around, he was curled up asleep in my arms on the couch. I gently ran my fingers through his hair, listening to the soft sounds of his breathing. It felt nice just to be there, even though my to-do list was growing by the minute.
But let me be honest—I didn’t always have such a peaceful mindset. Back when Max was just three months old, I found myself at a local moms’ group where the topic of conversation shifted towards napping. Not those fleeting newborn snoozes that last only 20 minutes, but the more organized naps that occur at somewhat predictable times. Oh, how I longed for that! I was itching for some “me” time and desperately needed it.
During those initial months, Max would only nap if he was snuggled up to me in a carrier or sling. And when he was awake? Well, I was either nursing, soothing, or changing him. It seemed like all the other babies in my group were settling into a routine, so I figured it was time to try that too. After all, he was no longer a newborn, right? He should be ready for it!
So, I dove into establishing a nap routine. I would cuddle Max, read him a couple of books, sway him gently until he was drowsy (but still awake!), and place him softly in his crib. I’d tiptoe out of the room, feeling thrilled at the prospect of a few precious minutes of peace. But like clockwork, just 30 minutes later, he would wake up wailing. And getting him back to sleep in the crib? Forget it!
According to my self-created schedule—and all the sample ones I had seen online—Max’s nap was supposed to last at least another hour. If he woke up now, it would throw off the entire day’s plan. It’s safe to say that this was a tough time for me.
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It’s all about navigating this wild journey together. For more helpful information, check out our blog post on baby showers here. And for reliable information about pregnancy, Healthline is an excellent resource. We’ve got your back!
In summary, while motherhood can feel overwhelming at times—especially when it comes to napping routines—remember that you’re not alone. Many of us are in the same boat, trying to find our rhythm in this beautiful chaos.