Happy then crying after 45 minute nap??? what to do next?

[mariarico]

Hi there,

My baby is 3 1/2 months and has been doing the 30-45 minute cat naps 4x a day, for the past few weeks. 

I have tried everything...longer wake time, shorter wake time, cooler bedroom, warmer bedroom, white noise, and i even go in at the 30 min mark to stir her for a bit and hold her arms and legs down from the jolts, but she still wakes up crying 15 minutes later. I then pick her up and rock her to sleep but as soon as i put her down she wails!!! it's a constant cycle.

But sometimes she is happy and cooing in crib after 45 min nap.  I give her 10-15 min to try to soothe herself back, but then she just starts to wail and won't stop. this goes on for another hour!!!

So what do i do? If she wakes up cooing after 45min, do i pick her up and let her play for a bit, then try to put her to bed??? Or do I leave her in the crib??

This is very stressful!!!!!

[mariarico]

Also how long do i leave her in the crib cooing??? today she cooed for 45 min and looked wide awake! so i took her out.

[nevinsmama]

I know how stressful this can be! Age 3-5months is prime for these naps. There really only is so much you can do. It is developmental and around age 6 months things will even out.  If she is happy and cooing I would say maybe she needs an A increase hold it there for several days and see how you go. I know it is rough and with my DS I drove myself nearly crazy trying to sort it out but it only helped maybe half the time, so just watch and see if there is maybe a pattern of her needing more of less A and hope for the best. It will pass!