7 Month Old - Extending naps

[Katie G]

My 7 month old is often struggling to sleep anywhere near 45 minutes for her naps and wakes crying and is clearly still tired.  I don't know what to do to help her sleep longer.  I haven't tried anything yet as I have only recently discovered this website.
Please help.  I am prepared to try anything.

[brenda2]

hi katie
have you read the babywhisperer books?

often with short naps and crying when they wake up it means they are overtired and need more sleep (either longer naps or more of the shorter variety) and shorter awake times.  do you want to post your routine?  it sounds like you need a tweak.

[Katie G]

Hi

I do have one of the books but I am waiting for it to be returned as a friend has borrowed it and I haven't had chance to look at it yet!

A typical routine:
1.30am BF - one side
3.30am BF - one side
8am WAKE
8.15am BF - both sides
9.15am Breakfast - Toast and fruit
10.30am nap - this could be anything from 15 minutes to 1 hour
12.30 BF
1pm lunch
2.30pm nap - 20 minutes up to 1.5 hour
4.30pm BF
5.30pm dinner
6.30pm Bath
7pm BF then sleep

A bit of background...I am currently Baby led weaning my LO.  This routine is not always the same.  It really does depend on the time she wakes.  I am trying to wean off the nightime feed which is why I am currently only offering one side.  (My next plan for this is to reduce the number of minutes offered on the one side).  When she wakes from her naps she immediately starts crying sounding very distressed.  I have tried leaving her for a few minutes to see if she was crying in her sleep but she just becomes more upset and it take me longer to settle her.  So I usually go in and pick her up, reassure her and when she has settled we leave her bedroom.  I am sure this is all wrong but I just don't know what else to do?!

[brenda2]

hi katie
i think reading the BW books would really help your questions and problems with both the getting rid of night feeds and how to deal with napping issues.  this website is really a support for those who are already familiar with the techniques taught in the books.  it is not supposed to take their place and teach everything you need to know!

at 7 mo your LO may still need 1 overnight feed, but doubtful she needs 2 feeds, especially only 2 hours apart.  she may be waking at these times due to being overtired due to poor naps during the day.

does your Lo fall asleep independently for naps?  if not this can be a reason for short naps and night wakings.

short naps are also a sign of being overtired and if she does only 15 -20 min naps this is most certainly the case.  at 7 mo, typical day sleep is about 3-4 hours and 12 hours at night.

i think if you get ahold of your book and give it a good read this would really help you to understand the BW techniques and approach and then if you decide this approach is right for you and you have further questions we would be more than happy to help out.