Growth spurt disrupting naps?

[lmuhlhauser]

Hello Everyone,

Anyone had issues with growth spurt disrupting nap but not nighttime sleep?  My little one (6.5 weeks) has been sleeping well with EASY but now has been waking after 45 mins of sleep and is hard to settle.  I thought maybe he was overstimulated so I cut back on his wake time, but it doesn't seem to help.  I had a TON of milk this morning but now my breasts feel empty, so it could be a growth spurt.  I have 3 other children, and we finally were able to go out for a little outing in late mornings last week, so maybe that's it?  I hope not, as for sanity's sake we all need to get out!  Baby has also been sleeping better at night and dropped his middle of the night feed over the last week.  He has been doing a dream feed around 11 and then wakes around 6-8.  I am wondering if that is causing his naps to be off.  ANY help would be so appreciated, as short naps are really tough with other children who have needs as well.  Doing shush patting for extended periods is hard with other ones who need me.

I just was not sure if anyone has had the same issues--- with a potential growth spurt and nap disturbance.

Thank you,
Lorna

[creations]

Hi there
IME growth spurts and developmental leaps can disturb sleep.

It sounds like LO might be a little UT for the nap so is unable to transition at the 45 min mark into the next sleep cycle. If he was previously taking a longer nap without help I would suggest increasing A time by say 10 mins and see if this helps (although I don't know your current routine). A little shush/pat at the transition can also help to show him it is still sleep time. It's understandable though that you cannot spend a long time shush/patting when you have other children to care for.

Getting out really is good for everyone, if you are unable to extend the nap and he appears to not be trying to get back to sleep I would just get him up and get on with your day. He may take a number of short naps through the day in his push chair or sling which might not be a perfect EASY routine but might work for the time being with your family circumstances.

This may help - remember it's only a guide and observing your LO when he shows sleepy cues and when he wakes (ie short napping) will also guide you on A times and when to extend the activity.
Average A times- BOOKMARK ME!