Is Now the Right Time to Move from Contact Naps to the Cot?
You’ve heard it a million times:
“You’re making a rod for your own back.”
“They’ll never sleep on their own if you don’t start now.”
“Aren’t they too old for contact naps?”
But here’s the truth: there’s no rulebook that says when (or even if) you need to move away from contact naps.
For many parents, contact naps work. They help babies sleep longer, provide connection, and make settling easier.
But at some point, you might start wondering if it’s time to introduce more cot naps.
So how do you know if it’s the right time? And how do you approach the transition without making it feel like a battle?
Why Contact Naps Make Perfect Sense
If your baby only naps on you and you’ve been told it’s a "bad habit," let’s set the record straight: this is completely normal.
You’re their safe space. Your warmth, your smell, the sound of your heartbeat.
It’s everything they’ve known since day one.
It’s no wonder they sleep best snuggled up with you.Babies are wired for connection.
Sleep is a vulnerable state, and their instincts tell them to stay close to you for safety and comfort.
It’s not just about sleep. it’s about regulation. Contact naps help babies manage their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. Being near you calms their nervous system, making it easier for them to settle.
So if you’re wondering why your baby resists the cot or wakes the second you put them down, it’s not because you’ve done anything wrong. It’s because their biology is working exactly as it should.
The Emotional Side of Letting Go of Contact Naps
Moving from contact naps to cot naps isn’t just practical, it’s emotional too.
For your baby, contact naps aren’t just about sleep; they’re about feeling safe and connected. And for you, they might be a special bonding time or even a survival tool for getting longer naps.
If you love contact naps but feel pressured to stop: There’s no rush. If it’s working for you, you don’t have to change a thing.
If you’re craving more flexibility: That’s okay too! Wanting a bit more time for yourself doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
If you feel torn about it: You don’t have to go all in overnight. There’s a way to ease into the transition while still offering comfort and connection.
How Do You Know If It’s the Right Time?
Some babies naturally start accepting cot naps over time. Others need a little more encouragement.
But the question isn’t just “Is my baby ready?”, it’s also “Am I ready?”
Are contact naps making you feel trapped or burnt out?
Is your baby struggling to sleep anywhere but on you, and you’d like more flexibility?
Are you returning to work or needing to share naps with another caregiver?
If you’re nodding along, it might be time to introduce some cot naps. But if your current setup works for you, there’s no rush to change it.
The All-or-Nothing Myth: You Can Keep Some Contact Naps!
One of the biggest misconceptions is that transitioning away from contact naps means you have to stop them completely.
But that’s not true!
You can do a blended approach - some naps in the cot, some on you.
You can take it at your own pace - start with one cot nap a day and build from there.
You can go back to contact naps when needed - teething, illness, or bad days are real, and sometimes extra comfort is exactly what your baby needs.
This isn’t about training your baby out of contact naps.
It’s about giving them the support to sleep in different ways while still meeting their emotional needs.
What to Expect When You Start the Transition
The biggest challenge in moving from contact naps to the cot isn’t just about getting your baby to sleep somewhere new. It’s about changing something that is completely natural for them.
So if the first few naps in the cot are shorter, that’s completely expected.
Think about it: your baby is adjusting to a completely different sleep experience. If they only manage 20 minutes instead of the usual hour, that’s still a win. It doesn’t mean they’ll never nap well in the cot - it just means their little system is getting used to it.
And that’s the key. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
So, Where Do You Start?
If you’re thinking about making the shift to cot naps but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve created something to help.
This gentle, 70 page step-by-step guide walks you through how to transition to cot naps without leaving your baby to cry - all while keeping the connection and comfort that matter most.
Because moving away from contact naps doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
And most importantly it doesn’t have to mean losing those special moments with your baby.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, contact naps are not a problem to be fixed.
If they’re still working for you, keep going!
But if you’re feeling like you need a change, take it one step at a time. There’s no rush, no right or wrong, and no deadline.
Just what works best for your family.
And remember, any progress is still progress. Even a short nap in the cot is a step in the right direction.
You’ve got this.
