Nap training?

hay1122

I'm sure this is a common sleep problem and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice/suggestions.  DD has been on a routine of nap for an hour, awake for 1-1.5 hours, and repeat until bedtime (around 630pm)  for a long long time.  Often, I feel as like she's waking up from her naps before she's really rested.  I get a smile from her before I pick her up from the crib, but as soon as 5 minutes later she's fussing like she needs to go back to bed.  She won't nurse, she doesn't play, she even fusses when I take her outside. 

I've thought about trying the "wake to sleep method" but I haven't been able to bring myself to wake a sleeping baby... even just a little bit.

bellelamb

At this age they tend to have longer times awake and few and farther between naps. Lucas only takes two maybe three naps now but one is a two hour nap if my toddler doesn't wake him. You may want want to space naps out.

mkflower3000

DD also stays awake for about 90 minutes between naps, and occasionally will wake up and fuss during naps, and then pass out again a few minutes later. There were a few naps where she seemed to wake up after an hour like your LO, but then kept sleeping for another hour or 2 right after! Sometimes I wait a few minutes just to see if she's actually awake or not before I go and get her. I can usually tell if her cries intensify that she's pretty much done napping, though.

I wouldn't wake her up, especially if she seems like she's not rested enough! 

nicole0066

We are having an issue with my LO only taking 30 minute naps.  She is clearly not rested, but cannot seem to get past that first sleep cycle.  If I hold her she will nap for hours, but that just isn't possible with all the things I have to do for work.

I was home with her Monday and watched the monitor like a hawk.  As it neared the 30 minute mark I went in and rocked her with my hand.  She was able to stay asleep and kept sleeping for another hour.  (I think this was probably a fluke).  Other times I will quick pick her up and try and rock her back down. 

My frustration is "they" say anything after 10 minutes counts as a nap if you can't get them back down.  She is getting closer to 2 hours of awake time, but that doesn't happen often.  I know she would be able to stay awake longer if she would actually take decent naps.