extending nap time

rachlee2010

So my LO is a catnapper, I know a lot of people have this same problem.  I really want him to sleep longer and I know he needs it.  

Do you have any tips on how to get him to sleep for longer than about 45 min give or take??

After his 2nd nap of the day if I pick him up when he wakes up and rock him I can usually get him back to sleep..Two days ago I got him back to sleep and back in his crib and he slept for a little over an hour total..still not great but better.  Yesteday my MIL was here and she picked him up and rocked him and then he slept for 2 more hours (which is great) but was on her the entire time.  I don't mind letting him sleep on me sometimes but I don't want ot create a habit of it, espcially since I will be returning to work in March and he will then have to learn to nap in a crib (he will be with my parents 2 days a week and daycare 3 days a week)

Please send over suggestions..I just got the no-cry nap solution book but i'm not sure her tips for catnappers will work..i will give it a shot but I just don't see him putting himself back to sleep in his crib even if I rub his stomach or something.

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rachlee2010

He will sleep longer in the swing or in the car..he usually won't sleep longerin the bouncer however he has been asleep for a little over an hour in his bouncy seat right now which I'm shocked about.

I don't use the swing to often b/c I don't want that to become the only way he will sleep..Should I try it more often? 

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tevagirl

Before I went back to work Ella only napped in the swing. She has had very little trouble transitioning to sleeping in a crib at daycare.

Do you swaddle at night? For naps? We have daycare swaddle her for naps in the crib.

rachlee2010

We don't swaddle anymore. He was breaking out of them and I never really swaddled for naps.

Even when he catnaps he's still pretty pleasant but I know he could use more sleep. I guess I'll try the swing more often

He's been sleeping a ton today. Very unlike him. Either it's an off day or the start of a growth spurt

pb_bride

DS naps for 1 sleep cycle (45 mins) if he's not swaddled.

If he's swaddled, he can nap up to 3.5 hours.