8:30 a.m. He yawns. Place him in crib with rolled towels on either side as bolsters to hold him on his side. Pacifier in mouth. Lovey (small square fuzzy blanket with stuffie dog-head in center) under one arm. Goodbye Mr. Sun, we’re taking a nap. Put lullabye CD in player on low. Leave room.
8:34 a.m. Strange scuffle snort squeak sounds. Go into room. Boy is lying on back, arms and legs flailing, lovey sqarely on his face. Pull lovey off face. Boy laughs hysterically. This is his favorite game. Roll boy back onto side. Rub back a little. We’re taking a nap. Leave room.
8:something a.m. Very consistent whiney cry. Go back into room. No tears, but won’t stop cry/whine. Sit in child’s chair next to crib and lean in, in order to: Shush, pat, rub, stroke for an extended period. Time passes. At one point, he stops crying, looks up at you. Reaches towards your face with one hand. Continue stroking his head. Still no luck. Boy resumes crying. Lean your entire upper body over side, into crib, rest your head against his chest. Continue shushing and patting. Doubt whether you are doing any of this right or not. Worry that picking him up now will teach him bad habits. Give up, take him out of crib, try old rock-bounce technique. No luck. Check diaper. Wet. Change diaper. Return to crib. Boy resumes whiney cry. Shush pat some more. Check clock. It is now 9:15 a.m. Leave room. Cry.
9:17 a.m. Both of you are crying. Return to room. Take boy out of crib, pacifier out of mouth. Sit down in glider. Nurse.
9:34 a.m. Boy stops nursing. Falls asleep on lap. Place boy on back between towel bolsters in crib. Worry about suffocation risk. Tuck lovey under his arm. Exit.
10:04 a.m. Boy awakens, crying.
10:07 Concede. Remove baby from crib. Nurse.
10:17 a.m. Pray boy has forgiven you. Resume playing.
3 comments for “getting him to nap”