advice - today has really confused me...

[*Becky*]

Hi,
Just wondered if anyone can spot something me and my DH cannot. MY DS has always been a poor napper but today something strange happened.
He had his usual morning nap after 2 hours A time and this was for an hour - quite normal. Can be anything from half an hour to an hour and 20 mins.
We then went out and were back 2 hours later for his next sleep. I was pottering around ready to take him to his room and at 2.10 he rubbed his eyes...this will sound mad but I nerly cheered as he has not shown tired signs in the day since about 8 weeks and I am always terrified of leaving him for too long as he is touchy and can get very OT. Anyway I then took him to his room and did the usual quick wind down of showing him a book, quick cuddle and bed. He did not scream or even cry but talked to himself quietly for about 20 mins making it 2 and a half hours of A time. I was so hopeful this would mean a good sleep but he woke after half an hour!!!
Really confused - does this mean he went to bed too late? He was happy though??? Did he make himself OT by talking too long? Surely the chat would have turned to crying? If anyone has any ideas please let me know as I kind of feel we may be close to a breakthrough but cannot work out what I should do tomorrow. Due to the half hour nap we were thrown off course but that happens every day so I am used to it.
Hope someone can give some advice or see something I can't.
Many thanks
Becky x

[*Becky*]

should add - we are desperate to get down to 3 naps a day as he still has 4 due to the shortness of them and at 6 months that seems a lot!

[clazzat]

Maybe you could post your full routine and it might be easier to spot something.
Cx

[*Becky*]

This is a general day but each day is quite different due to the erratic naps.
DS wakes between 6-6.30am usually but if it is before I give him a half feed and we start the day at 7am.
E - 6.30am
A - 6.45-8.30
S - 8.30 -

This sleep can be anywhere from half an hour to an hour and 20 mins. Sometimes he really cries when he goes down, other times he is fine.

I then try and allow him to sleep every 2 hours with a catnap in the car at the end of the day.

Bedtime is 6.30-7pm and he goes down well.

DF at 10pm (often wakes up!)

I do stick to feeding every 3.5 hours so he feeds around 6.30am, 10am, 1.30/2pm, with a split feed at 5.30/6.30pm.

I just do not see how I can get on a routine if the sleep is so erratic. I need to get the A times right as ssh pat just drives him mad, always has done.

Thank you so much

bx

[*Becky*]

also - he has been waking very early in the morning and I am thinking it is because he often needs more than half an hour catnap later in the day so maybe is having a little too much later i.e. today he slept for 45 mins from 5-5.45pm but was in bed at 6.45pm as he was rubbing his eyes etc. Fell asleep after talking at 6.55pm but I am sure he will wake early again. Iwt would be great if he could do 12 hours rather than 11 at night. Any thoughts?