What do you do when LO catnaps?

Jcat123

DH and I had a great evening routine of taking LO during the witching hour on a walk where she would take about an hour nap.  The weather turned nasty yesterday and both days she has only slept for about 15-20 mins during that time, waking up wide awake.  Let me just say after about a 1/2 an hour after that she is fussy as hell!  I told my DH that we need to make more of an effort to help her fall asleep again, but he thinks there is nothing we can do.

What do you do when LO wakes up early from a nap?

ClandestineX

I usually play with him a bit, feed him more, then try to put him back to bed. Sometimes it works, sometimes he just wants to be awake.

lmilab

It really depends on the age, is she close to/or going thru her growth spurt and just naturally restless and fussy?

Planning ahead is always needed with little kids. Feeding right before the nap is ideal for great napping, even at 2yrs of age. My younger one is often wide away even when he desperately wants to sleep. He cries out and fussy until I put my hands around his head rub a thumb on his forehead/temple and make shooshing noises (as per book/DVD Happiest Baby on the block). However my other one needs a noisemaker like an air purifier/fan. You will figure out soon, and your little one will eventually fall back asleep and get used to her new routine.

Best of luck!

pinottoparenthood

Not sure how old your LO is, but DS just turned one month and I have just started to play with him. He will now lay on his piano play gym and grab the toys a little bit. I have also started reading to him. I know he can't understand what I'm saying, but I hold him in my lap and I think hearing my voice soothes him. He also has one of those Sophie the giraffes that he likes to gnaw on, or I will give him different toys (soft, crinkly, etc.) to hold. It's been a bit of a weird transition, because as a newborn he was either sleeping or eating. Now he is starting to have more awake time, and DH is struggling some with what to do with LO. It seems like LO is always crying when DH holds him, but I think he doesn't try very hard to talk to/engage LO. Sometimes they just want attention... to look at your face and to hear your voice. After 20-30 minutes of playing, LO will generally get sleepy or want to eat for a bit and then go to sleep.

ClandestineX

pinottoparenthood:

Not sure how old your LO is, but DS just turned one month and I have just started to play with him. He will now lay on his piano play gym and grab the toys a little bit. I have also started reading to him. I know he can't understand what I'm saying, but I hold him in my lap and I think hearing my voice soothes him. He also has one of those Sophie the giraffes that he likes to gnaw on, or I will give him different toys (soft, crinkly, etc.) to hold. It's been a bit of a weird transition, because as a newborn he was either sleeping or eating. Now he is starting to have more awake time, and DH is struggling some with what to do with LO. It seems like LO is always crying when DH holds him, but I think he doesn't try very hard to talk to/engage LO. Sometimes they just want attention... to look at your face and to hear your voice. After 20-30 minutes of playing, LO will generally get sleepy or want to eat for a bit and then go to sleep.

My son is going crazy for his Sophie...

That was the first item he started to reach for, it was hilarious.. one second he is cooing and talking loudly, I put Sophie arms length away from him, suddenly I hear quiet soft cooing... I turn to look and I saw he had Sophie next to his mouth and he was whispering in her ear, lol.