Ready for A time, but not extending S, what to do?

[odri]

I have been putting my DS on the 3.5 hours schedule for about 2 weeks now and now in the dilemma of how to transition him to 4 hours. His current schedule is
E 7am
S 8:30am (1 hr nap)
E 10:30am
S 11:30am (2 hr nap)
E 2pm
S 3:30pm (catnap 0.5 hr)
E 5:15pm
S 5:30pm (catnap 0.5 hr)
E 7:30pm
S in bed by 8pm
DF at 10:30/11

The problem is his two catnaps followed by his 2 hours nap. I tried increase/decrease his A time but he still doesn't seem to be able to extend his nap time to more than half an hour. Plus he has not been eating well these days. I'm just afraid of his naps falling off short if I switch him to the 4 hour routine. Please advise.

[*Liz*]

How old is your LO?

Have those afternoon naps ever been longer?

[odri]

Anyone?
I moved him to 4 hours today. He was doing well for the first two naps and then it was all downhill from there.
He did a catnap from 4 - 4:30pm and then stayed up until his 7pm feed and went straight to bed after. I'm really worried about how he'll do for his DF today since he refused to take any for the past two nights. He's been going through this 3.5 months developmental thing and every feeding session has been like a battle for the past two weeks.
Keeping my fingers crossed for tonight and please wish me luck.

[odri]

Hi LizJ - he is going to be 4 months next week and no, afternoon naps have always been shorter for him The most he'd do was 1 hour and it didn't happen often.

[*Liz*]

I suspect the A is too long and your LO is just not quite ready for a full 4 hrly EASY. I would guess they are using up their stamina in the am and start OT napping later.

So I would try a shorter pm A of 1h 45 is andsee if that helps - or earlier if sleepy cues suggest so.

I know this makes the routine a bit messy - but it will just be for a few weeks until your LO is ready. There is no sense pushing the 2 hrs A if they are getting OT getting there.

[odri]

Thanks LizJ! I'll give that a try.
He's also been refusing his DF these days. Is it possible that he just doesn't want to be bothered during his sleep? That also worries me because it's one less feeding if moving to 4 hours. I guess we'll just stay in 3.5 hrs for now. He only took a total of 24 oz at 4 hours schedule yesterday (no DF!). I really hope that he'll get over this phase soon.