What have we done??? :(

[josianepaquet]

We have a 5 month old sweetie. Our original objective was to extend her day time naps from 45 mins to 1.5 or 2 hours. We've been at it for a week, not much to show for results and some new problems seem to have surfaced.

Here is what we did:
1. Got her onto a 4 hour EASY cycle
2. Cut out the paci, cold turkey
3. Doing pu/pd

We are second guessing this strategy - wondering if we are doing too much too quick. Would appreciate any thoughts. More details below.

We have her on a 4 hour EASY cycle during the day. Very easy to put her down for a nap but without fail she wakes up at the 45 minute mark. We end up doing PU/PD mixed with sh/pat to calm her down for an hour or so for the past 5-6 days. Many times she doesn't end up falling asleep a second time (so only the 45 minutes of nap).

The other issue that has surfaced is it takes about an hour or two to get her to sleep at bed time. Sh/Pat. She is up once or twice at night, but overall not too bad. She used to fall asleep after 5 mins with the soother. The issue is always when we put her in the crib. She falls asleep on us no problem.

Should we defer the paci wean until her sleep schedule is normalized or keep pluggin away?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[Haribo2012]

Hi I just wanted to say don't despair your not alone, we had terrible 45 min naps when our DS was your age and I did PU/PD for what seemed like an eternity!!
I think if I remember I used to try to extend nap for say 15 mins and if I couldn't I just moved on with the day and maybe tried for another extra nap later!
I'm no expert and am always getting advice from the lovely ladies on here so I'm sure someone will come up with some ideas for you!
Maybe try sneaking in about 30 mins into a nap and shush pat through 45 min jolt I used to do that and stay with my hand on his belly and leg for 20 mins used to sometimes work!

If BT hard maybe LO overtired due to short naps so maybe try early BT.
As I say I'm no expert but just sending hugs as its so hard and it does get better!

For someone to help more you may need to post your EAS routine!

[*Ali*]

What is her EASY routine? What time does she eat and sleep? Maybe post the last day or so  If she has slept 45mins then I wouldn't try to resettle for more than 45mins unless she looks very close to sleeping again as she is bound to be hungry by then.

Was she on a routine previously and your stretching it to 4hrs or is this the first time she has been on any type of regular routine?

It could be that she needs to be awake a little longer before her nap and the 45min naps are UT or it could be that she just needs help transitioning to the second sleep cycle. 45 min naps are very common between 4-6mo and can be developmental. We'll be able to offer more advice when we've seen your routine. Wake to sleep might be something to consider if it isn't UT that is the issue.

Personally I would not give the paci back now it has been 5 days without it. I'd keep going as she shouldn't have such a need to suck now as when younger so it will only become a prop I would think.

Ah, posted with Haribo seems we have a lot of the same ideas.

[josianepaquet]

Friday 25
Wake 6:40
E 7
S 8:50 to 930 gone to sleep on her own in crib
930-10-40 with me because I needed sleep
E 10:50
S 12:55-140 + 2:10-300
E 300
S 500-545
E 6:40
S 900 cause she won't go to bed at 7:30
Dream feed 11:00
Wake up at 1:30 +2:30 (feed) and 5
Sat 26
Wake up 630
E700
A 9-940+ 1040-1115
E 11:30
S 115-240
E 300
S 500-540
E 630 can't seem to wait till 7 sometimes
S 8:15-945
Feed 10:00
Wake up at 2 so feed
Wake at 230
Wide Awake at 4 no sleep till 5:15
Wake up at 615 not back to sleep feed today at 6:50

[*Ali*]

How are yo getting her back to sleep when she wakes early for the naps?
Have you tried the wake to sleep we suggested?
Is she 5.5mo now? You may find she needs another 15 mins on her A times and to move towards dropping the catnap.

[josianepaquet]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Putting her down for her naps is easier because she is really tired. I don't know if she could last another 15 mins if activity. At what age should the cat nap stop?

[*Ali*]

It is typically between 5 and 7mo that the CN stops. Here is a link to the FAQ about it. All about the 3-2 transition- 5/6 months

 

Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Sorry I'm not quite sure which of my questions you were responding to with this
What I actually wanted to know is what you are doing to get her back to sleep when she wakes from the naps after 45mins or so? So are you shh/patting her, doing pupd? Or are you APing by nursing, rocking etc.?

Have you tried the wake to sleep we suggested?

[josianepaquet]

Usually try to catch her before she wakes by doing the wake to sleep if we so not catch her we try PU/PD but she doesn't usually cry so she's usually laying in the crib and smiling at me. It can be hard to convince her to go back to sleep. If I can't get her back down by talking other or stroking her after a while I start over with the 4S and try to put her down before she is fully asleep...

[josianepaquet]

We usually try to catch her before she wakes by doing the wake to sleep if we so not catch her we try PU/PD but she doesn't usually cry so she's usually laying in the crib and smiling at me. It can be hard to convince her to go back to sleep. If I can't get her back down by talking other or stroking her after a while I start over with the 4S and try to put her down before she is fully asleep...

[*Ali*]

Ok, good. If you can avoid AP and get her back off that will encourage her to transition on her own. If the short naps are developmental then many LOs start to lengthen them on their own between 6-7mo.

Maybe just push her A time by 5mins at a time if you think she would struggle with the extra 15.