Hi all
We've been struggling with short naps for weeks now - for a couple of weeks I had great success holding LO down through the jolts and extending the naps that way, however a few weeks ago it stopped working and was totally hit and miss, so I barely do it now. It was an incredibly long and tense process so when it didnt work, was massively disappointing. anyway, what i mostly do now is just accept that he has short naps at the moment, and try and ensure he has plenty a day and doesnt get overtired. Since on the whole he sleeps through the night (is 15 weeks now, and has done on and off since 8 weeks), I think we must be doing ok.
However, this gets me to the latest issue (sorry girls, there's always something!) i often need to put him down for 5 or 6 naps a day if i cant extend any or he doesnt go through any on his own- sometimes he goes to 45 mins which sets him up a lot better, and once in a blue moon, over 1hr 30. I watch his A times so carefully to try and ensure he's not up too long. Int he last few days, he has started screaming blue murder before every nap. I do a good wind down that i thought was working ok (although he's a very alert baby), and for many weeks just holding his hands and shushing him quietly has worked to settle him. on good days, i was able to just walk out of the room. I dont know if i now need to start PUPD, which to be honest, I dont want to do if i dont have to. As an example, this morning, to avoid starting the day OT I started wind down after 1hr A time, he then screamed for 15 mins and fell asleep eventually on his own. He's often needed a little gentle cry down but this is totally different, he sounds so so angry. He only had 30 mins so i put him down again 45 mins later when he started yawning (this is rare, he often shows absolutely no signs so i have to rely on the clcok and guesswork - the days when he yawns are so easy!) and we had another 20 min screaming fit until he eventually settles. He is also transititioning to a 4hour easy (on about 3.5 at the mo) which i'm sure loads of you know is v difficult with a short napper.
I dont know if there was anytinhg you can help me with but i wondered if reading my post, something might jump out to you. I honestly dont feel we can really shorten his A times any more, although yesterday after first 2 naps were 30 mins i worked v hard to reduce times and next nap was 45, and last one 1hr 40 (WOooooohooooooooo!). At this rate, we spend all day in his bedroom and to top it all he seems to have totally lost the ability for going to sleep independently - is this a phase? will he ever get it back>
Wow sorry I have really waffled now, thanks in advance for any pointers or even moral support. I have been screamed at today far more than is acceptable before 10am!
ELLIE
