Transitioning from 3 to 4 hour EASY

[mamitica]

Quick question.  DS is 3.5 months and we are moving slowly towards 4 hr EASY.  When he wakes up early from a nap or doesn't nap, should I watch the clock and put him at the scheduled hour for sleep or should I adjust to give him less of an A time to compensate for the short or no nap?  Tracy refers to this as "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul"?  I think that he's OT and that's why he can't move beyond the 30 minute nap.  He makes it fine to the wind down at 8:30 a.m., but has a hard time falling asleep and then naps poorly or no nap.  Therefore, the rest of the day just goes wacko. This is what our goal schedule has been

E 7
S 8:45
E 10:15
S12
E 1:30
S 3:15
E 4:45
E & Bath 6:30
DF 10
S

[~ Vik ~]

Hi mamitica

I would definitely adjust your A time to compensate for the shorter nap.  After a short nap, keep the next A low key, really watch for tired cues, and try for an earlier nap.  If you try to push out his As to his next 'scheduled' nap time your only likely to get another OT short nap!

Having said that, keep in mind that short naps are largely developmental.  Here are some techniques you can use to try and extend them:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64168.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=85499.0
And some information on why this happens:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64161.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64274.0

HTH
Vikki

[~*Nicole*~]

Were you having trouble with naps or anything else before you started transitioning? Was your lo not hungry as soon as 3 hours? If not then you can hold off a bit longer as they may not be ready. You can even stop for awhile at a 3.5 hour routine if that works better and does not lead to OT. Do you think he'd do well on a 3.5 for a couple more weeks or so before trying to increase again?

[mamitica]

Ladies, thanks for your quick replies.  I didn't want to start off tomorrow on the wrong foot

Vikki- Thanks for all the great links.  I'll look at them carefully.  There's so much info in the website that it's hard to see it all.  I had definitely missed those.  OK...So I was thinking the same as you -adjust A- after seeing what DS had done w/ OT today.  I was confused because in BWSAYP and in the special interview w/ Tracy, she says to go by the clock when extending 3 to 4 hr.  But that's truly not working w/ DS.  On another topic, Vikki, now that I see you around, thanks for all the eczema advice you had given me before.  I have really seen a great improvement.  I've also tried the wet jammie under and the whole combo has made DS1's skin so much better.  THANKS!

Nicole- I started moving to the 4 hr. EASY because DS2 wasn't tired enough and started abandoning his good 1+ hr naps to 45 min naps.  and he wasn't hungry at the 3 hr. mark.  Thanks for suggesting that I can stop at the 3.5 hr mark.  I'll see how he does on the 3.15 hr. and take it from there.  If I can just solve his OT and finally be able to extend his naps again, the sun will shine again. 

[~ Vik ~]

I'm so happy that his skin is doing better! Good luck with extending your EASY today! Don't forget that if the 15 minute increments are too much, you can always increase by 5-10min instead. If you need anything else, let us know!

[mamitica]

Vikki- You are a genious.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!      The links were fabulous.  I studied them last night and had my plan of action for this morning.  DS woke up at 5:30.  Not unusual, but this time I didn't offer the breast to send him back to sleep.  He stayed in his bassi next to me holding hands and sucking his fingers, mine, and a paci I found.  He had never used a paci until this a.m.  He was able to make it until 7.  I nursed at 7 and then started EASY from 5:30.  WD at 7:15.  Asleep at 7:50 on his own- no props or AP anymore .  I opted for wake to sleep and at the 35 min. mark went in.  I touched his cheeks, he stirred.... 5mins later, the jolt.  I caught it just in time by putting pressure on his chest.  Thank goodness he didn't open his eyes because knowing him, he would have started chatting and smiling.  He's been asleep now for 1.5 hrs.  He had not done this since he was 2 months old.  I'm a HAPPY HAPPY mom.   It's been a lot of hard work, but all worth it.  We've connected deeper and now I know much better how to distinguish his cues and cries.  Also, from the links I realized that I was perhaps OT him during A time by doing too much and not easing into the sleep transition.  It's hard to manage with 2 under 2, but today we've started on the right foot!  Now, with the paci thing I hope I don't start another AP    He's very good at using his hands, but still doesn't have the powerful sucking of a thumb.  I noticed that if the paci fell, he would get upset and increasing his fuss and cries.  Any ideas here? 

Our night also went well.  He was asleep on his own at 7, DF at 10, I DF again at 1:30 to phase out the 2:00 feed, E 4 and WU at 5:30.  If I could just successfully phase out the 2 feed and nurse at 4 or 5, provided that he doesn't have and EW, he would be in business....hahaha.... 

[~ Vik ~]

LOL   Thanks for the compliment!  I can't take credit for the information though, I just gave you the link  

I'm so happy that today went so well for you, that's fantastic!  Yay!!   It's so nice when you see progress for your hard work - sounds like you're doing so well!  Remember though that you may hit a couple setbacks - just stay consistent and keep it up and you'll have a great routine going

Now, with the paci thing I hope I don't start another AP  Roll Eyes  He's very good at using his hands, but still doesn't have the powerful sucking of a thumb.  I noticed that if the paci fell, he would get upset and increasing his fuss and cries.  Any ideas here?  Huh

Unfortunately I don't have any ideas here, as my ds never took to a paci (and I tried, believe me! )  You may want to start a thread over on the props board, as there will be lots of moms who have been there that might be able to advise.

I hope things continue to go well for you!  Good luck!

[mamitica]

Thanks, Vikki.  Today was just marvelous.  Naps were 2:20, 1:00 & 1:35.  I didn't do any PU/PD, just the wake to sleep.  The second nap would have been longer, but I feel I left too soon....part of learning his cues even more.  A time was very nice (2:10, 1:55 & 1:35)  which were a good match to S time. LOL...I know you didn't write the articles, but by golly, I looked and looked at the board and totally missed that godsend piece of info.  I would have never found it, or maybe after more days of unsuccessful attempts.  I had a nice break today for some Y and to regain my sanity    Even if things go wacko tomorrow, we had today Thanks!

[~ Vik ~]

That Y time is a godsend!  Amazing how just an hour can recharge your batteries and make you feel like a new person   I'm so happy that you're on track!!