Julianne

MississippiCatfish

I have a question for you about the sleep chart. We've always struggled with naps, but it's getting a little better. Every so often LO will only sleep for 15 to 20 minutes, and I can't get him back to sleep. I don't know if that ever happens for you, but if it did, would you still wait the full recommended time before laying him down again, or possibly sooner? It seems the ultra short nap really messes him up. He seems sleepy again about an hour later, but when I put him down its usually another shortie. I'm wondering if I should try keeping him up for the full two hours, which is his normal schedule right now. TIA for any advice!!

ellebee2

I struggle with this too.... curious to see what the verdict is.

juliane2004

Sorry for the late reply! I was out tonight.

You say "every so often, he naps 15-20 minutes". How often is this? Once a day, once a week?

How long is his awake time between naps right now?

For us, DD2 usually naps at least 40 minutes, but I get at least one 40 minute nap per day (seems to have become her morning routine). If this happens and I can tell she's not going back to sleep, I get her up and start her awake time (which for her is 2 hours at 6.5 months old) from the time she woke after that 40 minute nap.

When you say he seems sleepy an hour later, what does that look like to you? Whining? Fussing? Tired eyes?

We try to push for the 2 full hours of awake time but if she's still being fussy after doing things (like playing toys, playing in the jumper, holding her, feeding her), then we do put her down, even if it's early, though it's usually not more than 30 minutes early (so an awake time of 1.5 hours).

No advice, at the moment, just looking for more clarification!

MississippiCatfish

Thanks for replying!

It seems like this is happening about twice a week. He is almost five months old, and awake time is usually around an hour and 45 minutes. If he wakes up after only 15ish minutes, it's with heavy crying...not the whiny fussing that he does to fall asleep. He isn't able to get back to sleep. After about 50 to 60 minutes of awake time I see eye rubbing, slowed movement and usually fussiness within only a few more minutes. The tired to overtired spectrum seems short for him right now!

Did I answer your questions? Hope so. Maybe I should try keeping him awake for just a while longer? Thanks so much!

juliane2004

A 15-20 minute nap does usually mean that they are UNDERtired, so you could definitely try increasing his awake time by about 10 minutes or so, and see what happens.

How long are his average naps? How long are his BEST naps?

MississippiCatfish

Thanks a bunch...I didn't know that about short naps meaning undertired!

Eddies always been a poor napper, it's only been in the last month or so that he's napping on a consistent schedule and falling asleep without nursing or rocking. His naps are anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for the most part, usually around 50. Yesterday he got up, was up for two hours, took a 40 minute nap, was up for an hour, and then took a two hour nap. That's the very first time he's ever taken such a long nap, except for the glorious very young newborn swing days!

Thanks again for your tips!! Is there a book that you swear by? I have the sleep chart bookmarked online, but I don't know where it comes from.