accommodating short naps and an extension Q

[emmb14]

DS is 3 mo and has been on an EASY type schedule since 2 months. We are typically doing a 3-4hr schedule as I am not too rigid and try to follow his needs. DS is doing the typical 30min naps in the crib (this is improvement from the 5 minutes I could get at 2 months). Right now I am not doing shush/pat but rocking or sucking until the start of stage 3. He sleeps fine 30 minutes and then wakes. I haven't been able to ever get him back to sleep but I know he needs more because if I put him in the ergo carrier he'll sleep another 1-2hrs. Yesterday I tried to do 5-6 short naps instead but it wasn't pretty and he was a hot overtired mess and I feel like I spent the whole day trying to get him to sleep. I can't spend all day on it when I am trying to also care for my 2.5yr old. So my question is this, What's the best way to accommodate the short naps? Is the carrier ok or should I be doing 5-6 naps? If it's 5-6 short naps, how does that fit in the EASY schedule? I feel like DS just wanted to eat more on the schedule.

Also I am trying the wake to sleep extension w light stirring. does it take a week before it starts to work or should it at least work right away once i find the right time to stir him? my 2.5yo did 30 min naps til 18mo and i dont want to repeat that,

[weaver]

30 min naps are generally a sign of OT - average A time at this age is 1 hr 20 - 30 mins - so perhaps a routine tweak is in order?  Often if the first nap improves a bit, other things start to fall in place too. 

One thing I used to do was start off in the crib and pop into the carrier to extend the nap as necessary.  That way, at least you keep the habit of napping in the crib and get a while with hands free for your 2.5 yo.  I think I must have exactly the same age gap with my two as you do! Often we would get LO2 down for her morning nap, prepare everything, and if and when she woke from the nap, transfer her and get out of the house for a walk to entertain LO1. 

Does LO1 still nap? Or have a quiet time?  My LO1 was still napping at this age so I got their afternoon naps coinciding, and then was freer during that time to help LO2 with her naps.  After a while, I even had a few minutes to my self!

Personally, I would avoid trying to 5-6 30 min naps, as it would drive me bananas   I would focus on trying to extend existing naps and offer cat naps if needed later in the day.
 

Also I am trying the wake to sleep extension w light stirring. does it take a week before it starts to work or should it at least work right away once i find the right time to stir him?

It might take a few days to work, though hopefully it will be clear when you find the right time.