Hi katriona! I am proud to say that Gage and I are on a 4hr EASY! With plenty of blood, sweat, and tears we made it
If you post your routine I can TRY to help. Here are a few tricks that work for us.
1. Just before the crabby mark (ie. 1hr) start the major entertainment until 15ish min after that mark. I do all of his favorite things, and I will list examples later. I was afraid of overstimulation so I was doing reallly low key activities, but that was making him sleepy. After that hump, Gage gets his second wind and the rest of the A time is much easier.
2. Get out of the house if you can, it is soooooo much easier. Time flies and your lo will be so entertained.
3. With Gage I found stretching his A time too slow impedes progress. I think I was extending it too slow, and Gage was getting stuck at the particular time. As a result, I started stretching the increments (your choice) every 3 to 4 days. However, if your lo just has to go to sleep (we all have those days) go with it. Before, Gage would really cry when overtired and this would go on for hours. Now, I just try to get him to sleep and if doesnt fall asleep in about 45 min, I get him up for a low key activity and try to get him drowsy again with various activites.
Here are some activities that we do throughout the day. Some are VERY silly, but work wonderfully. I dont mind making a you know what out of myself. Whatever makes him laugh. That is the best sound in the world!
Low key activites:
looking out the window
walking around the house looking at pics or whatever
stroller ride indoors or out
laying side by side giving eskimo kisses and making silly faces
brusing his hair (he has a ton... 3 haircuts already
)
Rub lotion on
propped up on mom's bed or other beds in the house
sitting in vibrating chair
read a story
have a bath
watching mom do dishes, cook, etc.,
sing lullabyes
Sometimes when he get crabby, I will lay him in his crib for quiet time. He looks at his mobile and plays with toys
put hands under running water
rub soft animals, blankets etc., on cheeks, feet, arms ect.,
compare hands and feet side by side or in the air
slow dance
look in the mirror
go outside and feel the grass and take a tour of the yard
High energy activites
johny jump up
walker
play in the exersaucer
Make silly sounds Gage loves high pitched squeals like fire truck or piggy sounds, or very loud fake laugh
Dance to ubeat music
peek a boo
practice crawling and sitting up
bouncing on my legs and kind of throwing up in the air
shaking his legs like he is vibrating
flying around like superman
singing songs that require hand gestures
making music with pots, spoons etc
giving raberries
Do whatever your lo likes and dont be afraid to be silly.