After we established a bedtime routine, and that was working, I developed a nap routine that was similar, but different. I made a schedule of when I wanted her to nap, based on how long she could reasonably be awake between naps, when she woke up etc. I cleared my schedule for 2 weeks and dedicated that time to ensuring we were trying for a nap at the designated times. I started the routine, said my cue words, and settled in to nurse her.

The first few days were rough. She cried, she fussed, she woke after 20 minutes, but I worked on keeping her in the crib an hour (unless she was REALLY upset). I showered while I watched the monitor, and I didn't go in as I knew she was fed, dry and tired. I started to learn the difference between being annoyed she couldn't sleep and being really upset because she didn't want/need to.

In about 3 days she started to anticipate it, and by the middle of the second week she was falling asleep nursing/cuddling and I was able to put her down tear free.

We still have days where she won't nap. Or days we let her nap in the car because we have things to do. But 90% of the time, she is napping 2x per day for a total of 2-3 hours between them.