Help with naps - only 30 min long??

beccs98

Charlie has always given us trouble with his sleep. We have MANY issues when it comes to naps and nighttime. The length of his naps were one of them.

However, the past... month or two? We've been seeing great strides (ever since we moved his bedtime up, actually). Although he's still waking up in the night, his naps in the daytime seemed to vastly improve (from 30 min to an hour, sometimes 1.5-2 hours. Which was HUGE for us). 

However there are other days (like today) where he's back to 30 min. And.. on the DOT, 30 min. It's like he has a timer built in. 

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas of why he keeps waking up right on the button at 30 min? And any suggestions of how I can get him to sleep longer?

Thanks. Sorry for the thesis length post.

topbirdsix

I've heard that if you go in a few minutes before they wake and soothe 'over the hump' that the baby will learn to nap/sleep longer. Keep in mind this is hearsay, and coming from someone who is on 1st wake up of the evening. The only reason I have not tried the idea above is because E doesn't have any sort of predictable schedule.

SimoneSays22

topbirdsix:

I've heard that if you go in a few minutes before they wake and soothe 'over the hump' that the baby will learn to nap/sleep longer. Keep in mind this is hearsay, and coming from someone who is on 1st wake up of the evening. The only reason I have not tried the idea above is because E doesn't have any sort of predictable schedule.

I've heard this too, and read it in NCSS and it doesn't work for D. He gets excited to see me and it wakes him fully. Very frustrating. I have heard this works for some babies, just not mine!

Beccs, I have no solid advice. I did notice that I have to keep D up a full two hours and if I put him down any sooner than that, he'll wake up after 30-40 minutes, which is not a full, restorative nap for him.

But then sometimes I find he still wakes up after a short nap no matter how long he's been up. I'm sure there is some sort of window I'm missing, but I haven't figured it out.

Anyway, that was no real advice, just me rambling, haha. Sorry and I hope it gets better! 

topbirdsix

SimoneSays22:

topbirdsix:

I've heard that if you go in a few minutes before they wake and soothe 'over the hump' that the baby will learn to nap/sleep longer. Keep in mind this is hearsay, and coming from someone who is on 1st wake up of the evening. The only reason I have not tried the idea above is because E doesn't have any sort of predictable schedule.

I've heard this too, and read it in NCSS and it doesn't work for D. He gets excited to see me and it wakes him fully. Very frustrating. I have heard this works for some babies, just not mine!

Beccs, I have no solid advice. I did notice that I have to keep D up a full two hours and if I put him down any sooner than that, he'll wake up after 30-40 minutes, which is not a full, restorative nap for him.

But then sometimes I find he still wakes up after a short nap no matter how long he's been up. I'm sure there is some sort of window I'm missing, but I haven't figured it out.

Anyway, that was no real advice, just me rambling, haha. Sorry and I hope it gets better! 

Ha. Thanks for your insight...this would probably happen with us too.

SuperThat1006

Hey, girl!

We're struggling with the naps, too, and I'm trying a ton of different things.

For us right now, I am finding the biggest thing is routine and I am using meals to create that routine. I am hoping that feeding her three meals a day and putting her to bed after each meal could get her into a routine and prolong her naps (she ultimately naps at three different places throughout the week: our house, my parents' house and my MIL's house).

It worked yesterday; she slept two hours in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon.

beccs98

Thanks for all of your responses! Even if you don't have advice, it's sometimes nice to know I'm not alone on this one.

Chrissie - Hai!

I can't believe you're at 3 meals a day! I'm only at 1 still. Am I the worst? We were doing 2 for a bit but then he gt sick and now we're down to zero because his stomach just isn't right yet. 

But that's a great idea about setting a routine. That must be really hard with her environment being different almost every day. Do you have a "naptime" routine, like bedtime (other than the food?) Like do you do a book/song/swaddle or anything?

SuperThat1006

beccs98:

Thanks for all of your responses! Even if you don't have advice, it's sometimes nice to know I'm not alone on this one.

Chrissie - Hai!

I can't believe you're at 3 meals a day! I'm only at 1 still. Am I the worst? We were doing 2 for a bit but then he gt sick and now we're down to zero because his stomach just isn't right yet. 

But that's a great idea about setting a routine. That must be really hard with her environment being different almost every day. Do you have a "naptime" routine, like bedtime (other than the food?) Like do you do a book/song/swaddle or anything?

The environment she is in with my dad is a world away from the environment she is in with my MIL. They just have completely different styles. I hadn't done a good enough job dictating a naptime routine with everyone ... I'll admit, I was a little lazy.

I'm hoping incorporating the meals will help there be a common factor in all three places. She just eats solids, nurse/bottle and then goes into the crib or PnP. In the crib, she has her Taggies blanket and Seahorse.

Let me tell you, though, three meals was a LOT of work. I did it yesterday and don't feel like I ever sat down.

beccs98

Are you giving her cereal each time? A different food at all three meals? I feel like you just started solids with her!

Thanks for answering my questions. And I'm not good with a naptime routine, but it's (usually) just me so I'm the only one that knows I'm lazy.

SuperThat1006

beccs98:

Are you giving her cereal each time? A different food at all three meals? I feel like you just started solids with her!

Thanks for answering my questions. And I'm not good with a naptime routine, but it's (usually) just me so I'm the only one that knows I'm lazy.

We did just start ... I think it will be three weeks tomorrow. But when I went to the pedi on Monday, she said, "You can start three meals now!"

I ultimately decided to start right away in the hopes that it would help the naptime routine.

This weekend, I gave her oatmeal mixed with applesauce for breakfast, a veggie for lunch and then oatmeal and a veggie for dinner.

BC&MM

topbirdsix:

I've heard that if you go in a few minutes before they wake and soothe 'over the hump' that the baby will learn to nap/sleep longer. Keep in mind this is hearsay, and coming from someone who is on 1st wake up of the evening. The only reason I have not tried the idea above is because E doesn't have any sort of predictable schedule.

We did this from day one. And now Hunter sleep 2 - 2 hour naps. He transition fine now. But it took probably about 4 weeks when he was young.

BC&MM

ChrissieW3:

Hey, girl!

We're struggling with the naps, too, and I'm trying a ton of different things.

For us right now, I am finding the biggest thing is routine and I am using meals to create that routine. I am hoping that feeding her three meals a day and putting her to bed after each meal could get her into a routine and prolong her naps (she ultimately naps at three different places throughout the week: our house, my parents' house and my MIL's house).

It worked yesterday; she slept two hours in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon.

Chrissie - I have questions

We are still doing one meal a day. I was told and maybe you can tell me this in time. I was told to not give food before laying them down for a nap because of disgestive problems. I was told there should be at least 30 minute, prebably 1 hour before solids and naps/bed. Thoughts.

SuperThat1006

BC&MM:

ChrissieW3:

Hey, girl!

We're struggling with the naps, too, and I'm trying a ton of different things.

For us right now, I am finding the biggest thing is routine and I am using meals to create that routine. I am hoping that feeding her three meals a day and putting her to bed after each meal could get her into a routine and prolong her naps (she ultimately naps at three different places throughout the week: our house, my parents' house and my MIL's house).

It worked yesterday; she slept two hours in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon.

Chrissie - I have questions

We are still doing one meal a day. I was told and maybe you can tell me this in time. I was told to not give food before laying them down for a nap because of disgestive problems. I was told there should be at least 30 minute, prebably 1 hour before solids and naps/bed. Thoughts.

That sounds right since your DS has reflux. I have actually suffered from reflux in the past and not laying down after meals is suggested.

I also don't take her directly from high chair to bed. When she's done eating, there's a process of clean up, changing (if needed), etc.

beccs98

ChrissieW3:

We did just start ... I think it will be three weeks tomorrow. But when I went to the pedi on Monday, she said, "You can start three meals now!"

I ultimately decided to start right away in the hopes that it would help the naptime routine.

This weekend, I gave her oatmeal mixed with applesauce for breakfast, a veggie for lunch and then oatmeal and a veggie for dinner.

That sounds great! I think I might try a similar routine for Charlie (in time. I'll increase back to 2 and then 3). Let me know if it's working well with the naptimes!

BC&MM

ChrissieW3:

BC&MM:

ChrissieW3:

Hey, girl!

We're struggling with the naps, too, and I'm trying a ton of different things.

For us right now, I am finding the biggest thing is routine and I am using meals to create that routine. I am hoping that feeding her three meals a day and putting her to bed after each meal could get her into a routine and prolong her naps (she ultimately naps at three different places throughout the week: our house, my parents' house and my MIL's house).

It worked yesterday; she slept two hours in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon.

Chrissie - I have questions

We are still doing one meal a day. I was told and maybe you can tell me this in time. I was told to not give food before laying them down for a nap because of disgestive problems. I was told there should be at least 30 minute, prebably 1 hour before solids and naps/bed. Thoughts.

That sounds right since your DS has reflux. I have actually suffered from reflux in the past and not laying down after meals is suggested.

I also don't take her directly from high chair to bed. When she's done eating, there's a process of clean up, changing (if needed), etc.

Ok. I wasn't sure if that was a reflux instruction or a normal instruction. This makes adding meals to the day hard with needing the time between eating and sleeping.

sillypit

Maybe he's mad that you didn't comment on the video I sent you on FB?  No?  You want real advice?

The only thing I can think of is that he's overtired, try shortening the time between his naps a bit?  Is he going down drowsy but awake?  At this age if you put them down fully asleep they can't transition between sleep cycles without you.  If Lainey wakes up before we think she should we try to give her the paci and see if she falls back to sleep.

I probably shouldn't be giving anyone sleep advice though since my baby was awake for 5.5 hours before bedtime tonight because she decided she didn't need an afternoon nap.  I'm flipping exhausted.

Ohandplusalso, Go watch my video HOR!

beccs98

BAH!! Sorry, just did! I totally saw you sent that on my BB after I went to bed last night and was like "Ooh, I have to watch that in the morning!" And then my day was sh!t, so I forgot. I'm sorry. I LOVE the video

 

He probably is over tired. Especially since he's only napping for 30 minutes at a time! Ugh. I'll try to shorten the time in between naps. I've pretty much just been going by his cues, but maybe I shouldn;t? And yeah, I'm totally guilty of the "not putting him down drowsy" thing. I think we're gonna have to do sleep training soon

sillypit

beccs98:

BAH!! Sorry, just did! I totally saw you sent that on my BB after I went to bed last night and was like "Ooh, I have to watch that in the morning!" And then my day was sh!t, so I forgot. I'm sorry. I LOVE the video

 

He probably is over tired. Especially since he's only napping for 30 minutes at a time! Ugh. I'll try to shorten the time in between naps. I've pretty much just been going by his cues, but maybe I shouldn;t? And yeah, I'm totally guilty of the "not putting him down drowsy" thing. I think we're gonna have to do sleep training soon

We're going to have to too, even though we have a good sleeper at night.  We need to get rid of the pacifier and the sleep suit.  We're going cold turkey memorial day weekend and doing Ferber.  DH and I are taking bets on who cracks first.

beccs98

sillypit:

We're going to have to too, even though we have a good sleeper at night.  We need to get rid of the pacifier and the sleep suit.  We're going cold turkey memorial day weekend and doing Ferber.  DH and I are taking bets on who cracks first.

Oh man, it wouldn't even be a contest in our house: I would crack first. For sure. Although I'm finding it's not as hard to hear him cry as he gets older. (DON'T get me wrong, I don't want to hear him cry, and don't let him cry.) But I can now decipher what his real cry is and what's just fussing and whining. So hopefully that makes the whole thing easier. 

When is memorial day?

BC&MM

sillypit:

beccs98:

BAH!! Sorry, just did! I totally saw you sent that on my BB after I went to bed last night and was like "Ooh, I have to watch that in the morning!" And then my day was sh!t, so I forgot. I'm sorry. I LOVE the video

 

He probably is over tired. Especially since he's only napping for 30 minutes at a time! Ugh. I'll try to shorten the time in between naps. I've pretty much just been going by his cues, but maybe I shouldn;t? And yeah, I'm totally guilty of the "not putting him down drowsy" thing. I think we're gonna have to do sleep training soon

We're going to have to too, even though we have a good sleeper at night.  We need to get rid of the pacifier and the sleep suit.  We're going cold turkey memorial day weekend and doing Ferber.  DH and I are taking bets on who cracks first.

I wish we could wake that longer.

vivianmc

My Charlie is not always the best napper but we are in the process of transitioning from 3 to just 2 naps right now.  He was taking three 1 hour naps (ugh) but today took two 1.5-2 hour naps which is great!

Wakes up at 7:15ish, down for nap #1 at 9:30AM for 1.5-2 hours and next nap at 2:30PM for about 2 hours.  Bedtime is 7:30PM.  Sleeps through most nights and if he ever does wake up he is back asleep by self soothing or eventually giving paci to him if it gets to that.

At our 6 month appt the Pedi told me I can introduce 2-3 meals per day so I do oatmeal and fruit in the AM and oatmeal and veggie in the evening with 3 breastfeeds around that.

sillypit

beccs98:

sillypit:

We're going to have to too, even though we have a good sleeper at night.  We need to get rid of the pacifier and the sleep suit.  We're going cold turkey memorial day weekend and doing Ferber.  DH and I are taking bets on who cracks first.

Oh man, it wouldn't even be a contest in our house: I would crack first. For sure. Although I'm finding it's not as hard to hear him cry as he gets older. (DON'T get me wrong, I don't want to hear him cry, and don't let him cry.) But I can now decipher what his real cry is and what's just fussing and whining. So hopefully that makes the whole thing easier. 

When is memorial day?

End of May.  It's a 3 day weekend so we're just shutting in a expecting a horrible time and hoping we come out the other end with a normal sleeping baby.

SuperThat1006

beccs98:

BAH!! Sorry, just did! I totally saw you sent that on my BB after I went to bed last night and was like "Ooh, I have to watch that in the morning!" And then my day was sh!t, so I forgot. I'm sorry. I LOVE the video

 

He probably is over tired. Especially since he's only napping for 30 minutes at a time! Ugh. I'll try to shorten the time in between naps. I've pretty much just been going by his cues, but maybe I shouldn;t? And yeah, I'm totally guilty of the "not putting him down drowsy" thing. I think we're gonna have to do sleep training soon

I have found that if I'm not diligent with naps and we "skip" one, it's nearly impossible to get her down.

So I completely agree with this.

beccs98

vivianmc:

My Charlie is not always the best napper but we are in the process of transitioning from 3 to just 2 naps right now.  He was taking three 1 hour naps (ugh) but today took two 1.5-2 hour naps which is great!

Wakes up at 7:15ish, down for nap #1 at 9:30AM for 1.5-2 hours and next nap at 2:30PM for about 2 hours.  Bedtime is 7:30PM.  Sleeps through most nights and if he ever does wake up he is back asleep by self soothing or eventually giving paci to him if it gets to that.

At our 6 month appt the Pedi told me I can introduce 2-3 meals per day so I do oatmeal and fruit in the AM and oatmeal and veggie in the evening with 3 breastfeeds around that.

Thanks! It sounds like you guys really have things down to a science in your house. I'm jealous! I want to cut down to 2 naps, but with them being so short he would NEVER make it through the day on just 2. 

He's an awful self-soother (my fault since we never really worked on it, and just put him to sleep with rocking/walking/feeding/etc). So that's why I feel like sleep training will be in order. I just keep putting it off because I know how hard it's going to be on all of us, and I'm just scared, to be honest. 

Thanks for your input though. I love hearing from people that seem to know what they're doing :P

Oh and great name!

beccs98

sillypit:

beccs98:

sillypit:

We're going to have to too, even though we have a good sleeper at night.  We need to get rid of the pacifier and the sleep suit.  We're going cold turkey memorial day weekend and doing Ferber.  DH and I are taking bets on who cracks first.

Oh man, it wouldn't even be a contest in our house: I would crack first. For sure. Although I'm finding it's not as hard to hear him cry as he gets older. (DON'T get me wrong, I don't want to hear him cry, and don't let him cry.) But I can now decipher what his real cry is and what's just fussing and whining. So hopefully that makes the whole thing easier. 

When is memorial day?

End of May.  It's a 3 day weekend so we're just shutting in a expecting a horrible time and hoping we come out the other end with a normal sleeping baby.

Oh ok, so it's right after our long weekend. Well I hope that works for you! I think ours will have to happen sooner. He's already sleeping unswaddled and no sleep suit (just a sleep sack) but we have BIG things to accomplish (self-soothing/going to sleep awake/crib.) I'm not looking forward to it.

lmkelker1

I have this problem too! DS naps EXACTLY 30 mins for two naps a day. And sleeps like a CHAMP at night (10 to 11 hours!)... puts himself to sleep and everything. I just don't wanna hear him cry with Ferber! I tried it about two weeks ago and failed miserably! It's hard because I don't have DH there to tell me to man up and not go in there... listening to the baby cry for an hour would put me in the crazy house.

NCSS does not work for DS... so i think CIO is the way it's gotta go.... *sigh*  

I have heard that if you shorten the time they sleep at night it can help change that time to the napping time. I've done that but it doesn't work... DS just sleeps later..