Naps for 4 1/2 month old

[Sjbc1019]

Sorry- another question.  I suspect the night issue is ot from the day but would appreciate your insight.  My other question is what do I do when LO takes a 35 minute nap then wakes crying for 5-10 minutes then falls back asleep for another 35-60 minutes?  Should I decrease her activity the next nap since the nap was not continuous?  Or keep it the same?  Thanks

[MamaLiz]

Hello
I wasn't sure about this either - I guess it can't count as sleep if they aren't sleeping, but for us, it doesn't seem to be a big enough difference to matter.  I watch for fussing and glazed eyes - I think my LO is getting used to the routine and is starting to "tell me" when she's ready - if it's close to the end of A time, I go with it - the 5-10 minutes seem to come out in the wash IYKWIM - if she takes 10-20 minutes to settle but usually only takes 5 (and I know she's not OT) then I usually assume I may have hit it a bit early.  The only time I cut A time (other than if she's giving me some signals that she's ready) is if a 2 hr nap turns into a 30-40 min nap and I can't/don't get her back down).

[*Kara*]

^^  agree with MamaLiz 100%.  I always just kept a close eye on DD when her naps were broken with a resettle..

The early NWing before midnight is OT related.  We had that too... if it happens again and she is coming off a short nap, I would try to sneak in a 15 min CN and keep a normal bedtime... if the last nap was fine but a bit shorter than you really wanted, then put her down a bit earlier than you have been

Clear as mud?

[Sjbc1019]

Hi

Another question-will they ever end?!

We tried the longer awake time for several days and for the most part it seemed unsuccessful.  She often seemed tired way before the 2hr10-20 mark.  We increased the time because she would chill in the crib in the middle of the night for 20-40 minutes.  Anyhow, it seemed to help that issue but not the nap issue.

Yesterday I put her down at 2 hrs5 mins and she slept broken sleep (5-10 mins to resettle) but had a 35, 44, and 42 minute nap for her first nap.  2nd nap she showed tired signs and I put her down at 2 hrs and she slept 1 hr18.  So I think the naps went better (even though her first one was broken up).  However- last night she woke at 2am chilling in crib for at least 15 minutes ten mantra cry for another 15-20 before putting herself to sleep.  She then woke at her normal 4:30 time as well and I fed her and it took her at least 20 mins of chilling and settling to go back to sleep. 

Do I do shorter awake for better naps or longer awakes for night sleep?  Is is there something I can do to solve both these issues?

Thanks

[*Kara*]

Consistency.  It will take a good week or two of consistency for her to adjust...