Looking for suggestions

[yellow rose]

My lo is almost 6 months old and has been having a lot of difficult napping lately.  I posted a thread a while back and have been getting lots of help from one person there, but thought I'd throw out another one to get some additional suggestions.  Everything was going really well about a month ago.  He was on a 4 hour EASY with about 2 hours 10 minutes of A time, 2 - 2 hour naps, 1 - 30 min. cat nap.  Then, he was hospitalized for a few days with RSV.  He amazed me and continued to do beautifully with his napping and eating schedule even while in the hospital.  However, the day after we got home from there, it all fell apart and I just can't figure it out.  We have had a couple of weeks of naps ranging anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, but typically 30 - 45 minutes.  I have tried both shortening and lengthening his A time and neither have proven successful.  When he wakes early, I do not get him up, but I also don't do pu/pd because honestly, I'm not a fan of it and he has reflux which makes it harder.  I did just up his reflux meds to see if that would help and I have given him Orajel and/or Tylenol if he seems really fussy to rule out teething.  None of these have proven to be successful with helping him to nap better.  Yesterday, however, he did beautifully and I can't figure out what was different.  I have kept his A time around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes.  Do you think that should be increased as he is nearing the 6 month mark?  At this point, I can't even post a real routine because it's all over the place.  Here is what today has looked like so far:

wake 6:40
E 7:15 (breastfed)
A
S 8:50 - 10:05 (not bad, but I know he should be sleeping more than 1 hour 15 minutes)
E 11:00 (bottle of formula)
11:15 solids
A
S 12:20 -  
This is where we are right now.  I know this isn't very helpful, but I can add to it later on in the day.  Just thought I'd see what people thought now.  Here is what yesterday looked like:

wake 7:00
E 7:15 (breastfed)
A
S 9:10 - 11:10 :-)
E 11:15 (bottle of formula)
11:30 solids
A
S 1:20 - 3:00
E 3:15 (breastfed)
A
4:45 solids
S put down for cat nap at 5:00, but would not go to sleep
A
E 6:20 (breastfed)
S 6:50
DF 10:00

[marensmama]

LOs his age usually can handle 2.25-2.5 hours of A time.  Normally the first A time of the day is the shortest, and the A time following a short nap needs to be shortened to compensate so your LO doesn't get OT.  However, being that he's been unwell, and his naps are 30-45 minutes, I think he must be OT and shorter A times are likely in order.  Can you get him to take the catnap if you AP somehow?  The catnap is considered a freebie since it's just a bridge to bedtime, so AP to prevent OT is 'allowed' and likely won't create any bad habits.

What med is he on for reflux?  Do you feel that it's well controlled?

[yellow rose]

Sorry, what do you mean by "AP?"

He takes Zantac and yes, I think it is under control at the moment.  We have had to up it several times just due to him growing and needing more.  He still spits up tremendously, but it doesn't seem to bother him much, if at all.

I agree that the 2nd A time should be shorter if his 1st nap doesn't go well, but I can't always do that because I have to pick our toddler up from school two days a week at 11:30, which is often the time he should go back down after a short nap.  Yesterday, he woke after 30 minutes of the 2nd nap, and cried for a couple of minutes, but then went back to sleep for another 1 hr. 30 mins!!!!  I was so proud!     Then, this morning, he woke from the 1st nap after an hour, cried two separate times and then went back to sleep for another hour!     I am hoping that we are getting back on track, but I am cautious to believe that just yet!  Every time I think he's got it, it all changes....just like Tracy says in her book.

[marensmama]

AP=Accidental Parenting, ie rocking to sleep, going for a drive if necessary.  It's not so accidental when you're doing it on purpose to help the LO catch up    Glad to hear that the reflux is under control.  My DD2 had it, and we were on Zantac for awhile... it can be rough, I'm happy for both of you that he's not bothered by the spit up. 

Sounds like you had some great naps!  Hope you are back on track and he's able to catch up on sleep!  There is a board specifically for http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=32.0, if shortening his A times doesn't help.