3-2 naps switch?

[mich0902]

My 4 months old DD has really crappy naps these last few days.  The morning one goes great (1.5-2 hours, sometimes!) but the two other ones don't last more than 30 minutes!     Could she be ready to switch to only 2 naps already?

Here is her schedule for last week:

7:30-wakes up, nurse
9:30-naps
11:30-wakes up, nurse
1:30-try to put her to sleep even though I don't see any fatigue signs, she's getting fussy but doesn't yawn
1:45-finally asleep
2:15-wake up, nurse, she's as fresh as a rose
4:00-same thing as the precedent nap, takes about 15-20 minutes to get her to settle, and then she won't sleep more than 30 minutes
4:45-wake up, nurse, perfectly happy once more

She won't sleep after that.  She has her bath at 7PM, last feed at 7:30 and she goes to bed, usually without a problem, at 8PM.  She has a nighttime feed at 4 AM and is up the next morning between 7-7:30AM.

Could she be ready for more A time?  I swear, that kid never yawns, maybe I try to put her to bed too late?  But she fusses in bed, rubbing her eyes and everything, so then I figure, she maybe was TOO tired, and that's why she won't go to sleep?  What am I missing here?

Any advice is MUCH welcome!!!!

Michele

[*Natasha*]

Try putting her down at 2pm for a few days and see if you get a better PM nap.

[tanyanz]

Hi

I was going to suggest a little later for the afternoon nap.  My son at the same age could only do 2hrs max in before morning nap but often did 2.25 -2.5hrs of A time before afternoon nap (1.5hrs).  Cat nap would be between 4-5pm for 45mins & bedtime of 7-7.30pm.

Good luck
Tanya

[mich0902]

Thanks I'll try that!  But since she turned 3 mos old, if she wakes up from her afternoon nap past 3 PM, there is no third nap. She won't nap past 4 PM.  And since I often have to get my DS from daycare at that time, it's making it even more complicated...    She's clingy in the evening, but that's it.  We can still manage her.

Yesterday, I tried waiting for her cues to put her to bed, and she fell asleep pretty easily, without any crying/fussing (that in itself is a success!).  But she only slept for 30 minutes...    

And last night she was up at 11:30, 2:30 and 4:45.  Something is going on here, but I can't figure out what...?   Need for a new routine, teething, maybe?  I'm at a loss here!

Anyway, thanks!

[*Natasha*]

Could you go for a walk in the stroller or a car ride to get a cat nap in around 5pm just for 30mins to through to bedtime. The night waking is probably due to being overtired.

[mich0902]

Sounds easy, but 5 PM is our rush hour here!  I'm not sure I could manage a walk between dinner time, baths, and taking some time with my DS whom I haven't seen all day...     I'll just have to hope she can snooze a little when I get my son from daycare.

Thanks for the advice, though!

[*Natasha*]

If you don't mind me asking what do you do at around 5pm do you go out,cook dinner?

[mich0902]

Hum, yeah, prepare dinner, mostly.  DH comes home around 6PM, so until then, I'm alone with my two kids, and my oldest won't go for a walk, he prefers playing in the snow, but that won't put DD to sleep as the stroller has to move in order for her to fall asleep.  So I'm pretty much stuck at home.

[*Natasha*]

I often put DD in her bouncer for her catnap could you do that while you prepare dinner?

[mich0902]

OK, my english is not that great (I'm from Quebec) and I don't know what a bouncer is.     She never slept in her swing so my guess is that won't help.  The sling helps somewhat as she remains calm but she won't sleep in it either.

Yesterday, she was up between 2:30 and 7:30, except for 20 minutes in the car around 4:15.  Of course, she was exhausted by the time she went to bed!