Question re: another post about extending naps

[Lison]

Hi everyone,

I read somewhere on another posting a technique to help with extending naps when the naps are very short and I can't find it anymore. I would like to go and read it again because I had some questions. The technique is about going in the room right before the baby usually wakes up and put you hands on her when she jerks that way she would fall back to sleep. Did anyone try this technique and does it work ?

I stayed in my daughter's room while she was doind her nap today to see why she was always waking after 20 min. and noticed that she is jerking a lot at that time. The other thing is that she is also swaddled but still jerks a lot. I was suprised to see that. What else can I do so she doesn't wake up ? Can I put something on her legs so that she doesn't jerk as much ? I did stay and put my hands on her and she did fall back to sleep but she jerked several times during her nap. In the end, with my help she slept 1h30 but do I have to always stay with her for every nap ?

thanks

[deb]

When I did this with Josie, way back when, I did it for maybe a week, and then one day I took a nap and didn't wake up at the 45-minute-mark - and neither did she! Took maye 7-10 days for her to get used to sleeping thru that 45-minute point.

I can't find the post either now that I'm looking, which bites 'cause it took me AGES to write it all out, but maybe someone else'll find it. (It's LATE here and I have no business being awake at this hour! LOL)

Oh, yeah, the 20-minute thing: It's not unusual for babis to sort of "jerk" at about the 20-minute mark as they drit off and work their way to deeper sleep. Some moms find it'shelpfulto hold theirbabies or stay with them till that point has passed till the babies get used to sleeping thru it, some swaddle snugly so it's less of an issue, and sme babies wake up regardless for a while. I found that using a small receiving blanket folder lengthwide in 4ths and laid across baby's tummy (worked with both girls while I laid my hand on them and then SLOWLY withdrew it seemed to give them the feeling of weight on their tummies that they liked and seemed to help me leave the room earlier at naptime.

HTH, but if it doesn't help, please feel free to post back. Our modem is acting up but I hope to be on again soonish!

ETA: Yeah, I'm still on. It was bugging me about the post I wrote way back but it's on FAQ's. Try .here.

[Lison]

Thanks very much for the information. I was glad to read that my daughter is not the only one jerking in her naps. I stayed with her today while she was napping and she lasted until 30 min. before jerking 3x. I hope it will stop even if she jerks alot. I really want her to have her naps as she needs them. I don't know what else to do. She is already swaddled. Hopefully things will improve.
 

[*Nicola*]

Most LO's do this, and lots need help to learn to sleep past it. 

As Deb says, it takes a while for them to get the hang of sleeping past them so don't be discouraged.  I followed Deb's advice  way back when Ciara was tiny and it worked a dream for us.  Now planning on doing the same for our 5 week old soon.

We have found that sh'ing, white noise, gently holding down legs, swaddling (all or any combination!) all help.  Ciara was swaddled, patted and sh'd continually whilst Callie is swaddled and sh'd only when she jolts/fusses.  It takes a while, but try to figure out what works best for your baby and don't give up!

Good luck