4.5 week old only naps 20-30 min at a time

[KristieL]

DS is 4.5 weeks old.
Pretty much since day one he wont nap more than 20-30 minutes at a time. Occasionally he'll take a long 1-3hr nap but it's not very often. He's been pretty good at night time since day one - and for the last week goes 5-7hrs for the first part of the night then around 3hrs of sleep after that.
He's only up for around 1hr-1hr 20 minutes during the day between naps but no matter what will only sleep 20-30 minutes.

He's hyper-sensitive so he always sleep in a dark room with white noise and has been that way since day one.

Is this just him?
Should I worry?
If he doesn't seem overtired and sleeps well at night should I just not change things at this time?

[ZacsMumme]

Hugs, try reducing his A time. Most LOs at this age can do about 1 hr before they get tired. It may be he is OT before that first nap, then gets into a more OT loop as the day progresses.

Hugs, it's so tough when they short nap! Mine was king of it from 6wks to 4 mths
I'll be back with some links to help you too

[ZacsMumme]

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=164027.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=52283.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64161.0

Does your LO have a paci? Swaddled?

[KristieL]

This starts right in the morning though - so after a rested night sleep and awake only 1hr or slightly more he'll only go down for 20-30 minutes.
He's not showing any OT cues which I have seen when I did let it go too long.

He doesn't take a pacifier nor do we swaddle - he's not a fan of it and doesn't like to be confined

[ZacsMumme]

He doesn't take a pacifier nor do we swaddle - he's not a fan of it and doesn't like to be confined

My LO also didnt appreciate the swaddle...but I had to start wrapping him later on.
I am wondering if your LO is waking from the jolts that can come at 30mins or so. Some LOs have them at 20mins too. Without a swaddle these can wake them up.

Have you snuck into where he is sleeping to see how he is waking? - ie jolts, gently rousing then chatty, screaming...

20 min naps can also be a sign of discomfort so reflux could be a possibility (or other reason for discomfort such as wind/gas) Any symptoms of reflux you think? - Have a look at this link http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=654.0

[KristieL]

He does have gas and we took him to a pediatrician yesterday who suspects possible reflux as well. So it could be one of those or neither...

I totally forgot about the 20-30 min wakings from jolts! I haven't specifically watched him BUT I have been in the room when he has woken up and he seemed to squirm and then open his eyes... possibly from discomfort? hmmm

[ZacsMumme]

We would get screaming WU after 20mins from reflux. SOme LOs dont scream though they just look very uncomfortable and squirm etc.
Did the ped offer you anything to help with the possible reflux or wind? Have you tried Gripe Water for wind, and long burping sessions after feeding?

We had awful jolts too (once the reflux pain was sorted with meds) and that is why I started having to wrap/swaddle Z later on. You can try to HTTJ at 20mins na dsee if this helps him to transition into deep sleep. However, I would be tempted to try swaddling again, even if its just for naps. Something like a woombie is less restrictive than a big wrap but still effective in preventing them from waking themselves.