4-mo old, short naps

[2009baby]

I'm frustrated!  My situation certainly isn't the worst out there but I'm trying to figure out what I can do about these short naps.

Here is our day today (it's a pretty typical day):

(bedtime 8:30 p.m. dreamfeed at 10:45 p.m.)
7:15 wake up, diaper change, feed
7:45 playtime, get dressed
8:55 tired signs start
9:00 naptime routine (read book, close curtains, fan on for white noise, mobile on to play lullaby, sit quietly)
9:05 in crib, babbling
9:15 asleep (shush/pat)
9:55 awake (babbling in crib; I go in when he starts fussing, try shush/pat and PU/PD for 30 minutes without success)
10:25 activity
10:45 feed
11:05 activity (diaper change, mom/baby yoga)
12:50 tired signs start
12:55 naptime routine (read book, close curtains, fan on for white noise, mobile on to play lullaby, sit quietly)
1:00 in crib, babbling
1:10 asleep
1:50 awake (wakes up crying, still showing tired signs of rubbing eyes, yawning, rubbing ears; try shush/pat and PU/PD for 50 minutes without success
2:50 feed (dozes off feeding but wakes when I move)

The rest of our day typically goes as follows:
3:15 activity (playtime and some quiet time)
5:00 naptime routine (read book, close curtains, fan on for white noise, mobile on to play lullaby, sit quietly)
5:35 awake (happy/content)
6:45 feed
7:15 activity (usually a walk)
7:45 bedtime routine (bath and/or reading, close curtains, diaper change, baby massage, PJs, mobile on to play lullaby, sit quietly)
8:15 in crib, usually asleep within 10 minutes

Occasionally I can get him back to sleep when he wakes after 40 minutes using shush/pat and PU/PD but it generally takes 20-40 minutes.  But most of the time he will not go back to sleep.  We've been doing EASY (or trying to) for about 2-3 weeks now.  It is very easy to tell when he is sleepy/hungry.  He's a combination Angel/Textbook baby, so I know I shouldn't complain but it just seems that his naps should be longer.  I've tried doing wake to sleep (seems to wake him fully and then have to do PU/PD).  I've also tried holding him through the jolts, that also seems to wake him. 

Should I just leave it at 45 minute naps and have him nap more frequently?  Or keep trying to extend the short naps?  Please help!

[opsmummy]

Hi

My DS is about the same age. Here is our easy for you to compare

E  7am
A  2 hours awake time
S  9am. 2 hour nap
E  11am
A  2 hour awake time
S  1pm 1 1/2 hour nap
E  3pm
A  1 hr 45 mins awake time
S  4.45 45 min cat nap
E  6pm
A  bath and massage
S  7pm
E  Dream feed 10pm

He has just started taking a night feed at 2am but i think he is going through a growth spurt

I find 2 hours awake time is about his limit, some times i can push him to 2 hours 15. If i put him down over tired he will only be able to do a 45 min sleep. Your easy looks like your LO is awake for 3 hour stretches. Is there a chance he is over tired?
I try to keep DS to a 12 hour day i find he is really restless of a night if his days are too long or if his bed time is to late

Does he sleep with any props, DS used to be swaddled and has a paci. Some LO find it hard to transition if they rely on a prop to get to sleep. I have recently weaned off of the swaddle and DS is sleeping a little better ( he had started getting out of his swaddle and waking himself up)

Becky

[2009baby]

Thanks for the feedback.  I don't think he's overtired for his first nap at least, he goes down after 2 hours or earlier if he's showing tired signs.  Definitely the later naps he's likely overtired, if I keep him up more than 2 hours. 

I've started putting him down anytime he's been awake for 2 hours, even if it means not following the EASY routine (which we were trying to) just to ensure he's getting enough sleep.  I'd really prefer he extend his naps though but it just doesn't seem to be working.  Even his first nap of the day (which I'm guessing should be his "best") is only 45 minutes, max!

As for props, nope no props.  No paci, no swaddling (he busts out and wakes himself!) just a blanket.  I may try a lovey soon though to see if it helps.

So I guess I'm wondering if I should continue to try to extend the naps or just leave them at 45 minutes and have him nap more frequently through the day?

[opsmummy]

Hi

HUGS it is so frustrating tryng to figure out how to help them 

Only thing i can think of is, after a 45 min nap 2 hours awake time might still be too much. For the first nap it may be after a full nights sleep he need a litle more A time.

Have you sat with him and watched one of his naps? does he jolt awake? under Is he crying when he wakes up? There is some graet advise on the sleep board about holding through jolts, sshh patt and Pu/Pd.

I have also found some good info on the sleep/props board under frequently asked questions. Although alot of this is about weaning a prop it is also about teaching you LO to put themselves back to sleep which sounds lke the issue your having.

Becky