XP: I have a nap problem

gymnst1013 · June 2012

I finally got Nikolai napping in his crib. He naps twice a day - 10:30 and 3:30 - for about 45 minutes. The problem is that when he wakes from his afternoon nap, he won't go back to sleep in his crib but he's still so sleepy that he falls asleep on me when we have our after nap cuddle on the couch. He still goes down fine for bedtime around 7:30 or 8.

How do I extend the napping in the crib though instead of on me?

RingOfFire11 · June 2012

Does he wake up upset? If not, have you tried letting him hang out in the crib for a little bit? I'd be curiuos to see if he'll go back to sleep since he's still tired.

Syncronicity09 · June 2012

dantoni1210:
Does he wake up upset? If not, have you tried letting him hang out in the crib for a little bit? I'd be curiuos to see if he'll go back to sleep since he's still tired.

I agree with this, I would leave him in there and see what happens. Even if he was crying, as long as he's not completely frantic I would see if he would cry himself back to sleep.

gymnst1013 · June 2012

dantoni1210:
Does he wake up upset? If not, have you tried letting him hang out in the crib for a little bit? I'd be curiuos to see if he'll go back to sleep since he's still tired.

He does wake up upset. It's much different than his night time sleep. He puts himself back to sleep no problem at night and when he wakes in the morning he usually babbles and crawls happily around for 20-30 minutes. But when he wakes from his naps (morning nap included), he wails. I've let him go for a bit but he doesn't even come close to putting himself back to sleep.

RingOfFire11 · June 2012

gymnst1013:

dantoni1210:
Does he wake up upset? If not, have you tried letting him hang out in the crib for a little bit? I'd be curiuos to see if he'll go back to sleep since he's still tired.

He does wake up upset. It's much different than his night time sleep. He puts himself back to sleep no problem at night and when he wakes in the morning he usually babbles and crawls happily around for 20-30 minutes. But when he wakes from his naps (morning nap included), he wails. I've let him go for a bit but he doesn't even come close to putting himself back to sleep.

Is this recent? The reason I ask is because DD was doing this at nap time when her molars were coming in. Usually she can put herself right back to sleep but during that time, she was waking up VERY upset (over a 2-3 week period). I could soothe her for a few minutes and then lay her back down though. Now that 2 of the molars are in, she's back to regular nap routine. GL!!

M&M227 · June 2012

DD did this for a while (and also had zero nighttime issues). It stopped after a few days. I would just let her sleep on me.

gymnst1013 · June 2012

dantoni1210:
gymnst1013:

dantoni1210:
Does he wake up upset? If not, have you tried letting him hang out in the crib for a little bit? I'd be curiuos to see if he'll go back to sleep since he's still tired.

He does wake up upset. It's much different than his night time sleep. He puts himself back to sleep no problem at night and when he wakes in the morning he usually babbles and crawls happily around for 20-30 minutes. But when he wakes from his naps (morning nap included), he wails. I've let him go for a bit but he doesn't even come close to putting himself back to sleep.

Is this recent? The reason I ask is because DD was doing this at nap time when her molars were coming in. Usually she can put herself right back to sleep but during that time, she was waking up VERY upset (over a 2-3 week period). I could soothe her for a few minutes and then lay her back down though. Now that 2 of the molars are in, she's back to regular nap routine. GL!!

Crib napping in general is recent so I have no frame of reference.

march2008 · June 2012

Are you putting him down awake in his crib for naps, or not until he's already asleep? If you're putting him down after he's already asleep, he might be briefly waking up after a sleep cycle and wondering where he's at (and where his momma went) if he doesn't fall asleep on his own in the crib.

gymnst1013 · June 2012

march2008:
Are you putting him down awake in his crib for naps, or not until he's already asleep? If you're putting him down after he's already asleep, he might be briefly waking up after a sleep cycle and wondering where he's at (and where his momma went) if he doesn't fall asleep on his own in the crib.

He goes down awake, babbles for a few minutes and goes to sleep.

march2008 · June 2012

gymnst1013:
march2008:
Are you putting him down awake in his crib for naps, or not until he's already asleep? If you're putting him down after he's already asleep, he might be briefly waking up after a sleep cycle and wondering where he's at (and where his momma went) if he doesn't fall asleep on his own in the crib.
He goes down awake, babbles for a few minutes and goes to sleep.

Sounds good. I have no idea then, sorry!

Syncronicity09 · June 2012

I agree with PP who said he might be teething. Ash is waking up wailing at night and goes back to sleep shortly after I pick him up. He is sleeping for his full nap length, but is waking up wailing. He usually wakes up happy.

He got a tooth in last week, and another one coming in this week

mari_gold · June 2012

If crib naps are new, I would just give him time. As he gets more comfortable there I'm sure he'll extend his naps.

jcsumm0 · June 2012

Have you tried going in a few minutes before he wakes up and when he starts to stir, pat and shh him back to sleep? A few days of doing that and he might start staying asleep on his own.

SarahKate31 · June 2012

We are in a similar situation. Just recently we have been able to get DS to nap in the crib on weekends (he naps in the crib fine during the week at daycare). Sometimes we get lucky and he takes a full nap (at least 1.5 hours) and wakes up happy, but the other times it's 30-45 mins and he wakes up crying because he's still tired, but won't go back to sleep. It's so frustrating. He's awesome at night sleeping and never has trouble going back to sleep if he wakes up at night.

So I have no advice, but I can sympathize!! I kind of doubt it's teething because I'd think if it was, it would bother him at night too.

gymnst1013 · June 2012

jcsumm0:
Have you tried going in a few minutes before he wakes up and when he starts to stir, pat and shh him back to sleep? A few days of doing that and he might start staying asleep on his own.

I haven't - I'm not sure how I would know when it was a few minutes before he would wake up. Worth a shot if I can time it right.

XP: I have a nap problem

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