4 months-old naps - will it ever happen?

[crazymama2]

I've posted on here before about DD's short naps (seems like everyone else  on here sigh) and that shh/pat wouldnt work for resettling or I would have to spend the next hour just patting. I am scared to say it out loud and jinx it, but seems like there's improvement and sometimes I just have to spend 10 min to get her to sleep for a total of 2 hrs(!), and sometimes I have to go in multiple times to help her get back. I use a paci and patting. I am moving her over to 4 hr EASY, so maybe that also helped with naps, but for now I cap her first A to 1.5 hrs and subsequent A's to 1h45-1h50. So I am wondering will she ever be able to transition w/o my help between cycles? And does an A time of 2 hrs for 4 mos olds means when the baby turns 4 months OR at the end of 4 mos?

[*Becky*]

That is great that you have seen an improvement

The average A time at 4 months is 1.45-2 hours but it is just a guide. Somewhere between 1.45-2 hours is the norm but it is possible that lo may need a touch more or less.
She should learnt to transition without you  - what happens if you hold back a little? Have you tried that?

[PaulsMom]

I had to extend my DDs naps until she was around 4 months old.  All of a sudden, she just figured out how to transition between sleep cycles during the day.  We don't use a paci though so you need to ensure the paci is not a prop or becoming one.

[crazymama2]

If i hold back, she gives little whines, here and there and then they start to escalate. And yes, I fear the paci is becoming a prop

[PaulsMom]

Around 3.5 mo I held back a bit to give her a chance to self settle.  If she escalated I went in and did shh rub in her crib.  I didn't do the pat part because she was lying on her back. 

You might want to try to settle without the paci if its becoming a prop.  You will have some rough days at first but IMO its better than having a prop that you will have to get rid of later.  At this age they are more adaptable than when they are older.