Are Short Naps Normal For Long Night Sleepers?

[blessedbear]

My DD is 6 months old and sleeps fabulously from 7 pm - 7 am!  Dr. says at this age they only require 14.25 hours of sleep total.  So since we have 12 solid hours straight that leaves 2.25 hours left for nap.  My DD has been doing 30-45 naps 3 times a day for a couple weeks.  I see when she is sleepy but still try to push A time to 3 hours but short naps still persist.  She wakes happy and is angel/textbook baby.  Should I just be content with this or are there any suggestions to get longer naps.  I would like to get an hour each we are not ready to phase out catnap yet. 

Thanks!

[Peek-a-boo]

Personally, I would be content with it!   If she's happy, well-rested and STTN who cares how she's splitting up her sleep. 

My DS is a rock star night sleeper, but was never a great napper.  I do think it's common for this to be the case.  There are a few rare babies who will STTN for 12 hours AND take long naps, but personally I think they are rare.  My DD has always been a pretty consistent napper (much better than DS ever was) but tends to have NW. 

Before too long, your DD will be able to handle longer A time and it will consolidate down to 2 naps which may last slightly longer. 

[Tweakster]

I am beginning to think that it is so.  We will get 5 or 6 or even 7 out of 7 great nights but naps are always a battle each and every day.

[blessedbear]

Thanks so much for quick replies!  I kind of feel like she's being cheated out of the "restorative" day sleep that all the books mention.  Since it takes 45 minutes for a full sleep cycle and then to move into the next cycle she often wakes right at 45 - 50 mins.  I have tried to extend the naps but like i said she is smiling and ready to get on with her day once she wakes.  Every once in a while she will stirr and go onto sleep 15 mins more but that's about as good as it gets and it's every once in a while.  So I will just go with the flow and once we drop the catnap hope to see a bit longer naps.

[~Sara~]

I'm starting to think that's how my DS is going to be, too.  He normally sleeps from 7:30-7 (usually wakes at around 6 am, but goes back to sleep on his own).  It's nice to know that others are going through the same thing...it makes me feel less crazy.

What do you do when your LO can't go the full 4 hours on EASY just because he can't get back to sleep for a longer nap???  I feel SO clueless still...and while I try not to be, I get upset if DS can't stick close to his 4h routine

[blessedbear]

Soooo here is today's EASY and I have no idea if I'm on a 3 hour or 4 hour EASY    Our Eat times are non-negotiable since she is on the petite side and needs all the calories she can get!  And today's catnap was the longest of the day at 1 hour 15 mins    I had to wake her to start nighttime routine and protect her night sleep.  She went to bed a lil later had time with DH so didnt stress it...We had to take dog to vet so stuff is off by 10 -15 mins or so does this make a difference?

E 7:40 am - bottle (usually at 7:30)
A 6:50 am (I don't go in till 7am)
E 8:30 am - cereal
S 9:30 am (put down at 9 am squirmmed when I went in at 9:20 smelled a poopy diaper/changed then off to sleep)

E 10:30 am - bottle
A 10:05 am
E 11:30 am - cereal
S 12:50 am (try to stretch this till 1 pm no way)

E 2:40 pm - bottle (usually this is 2:30pm)
A 1:20 pm
S  4:00 pm

E 5:30 pm - cereal, bath
A 5:10 pm
E 6:30 pm - bottle
S 7:20 pm (little late we usually do 7 pm)

I wonder if being off by 10 - 20 mins every now and then can throw stuff off.  I have to go by the clock these days since DD's cues aren't always reliable.  The longest nap of the day the catnap   my DD really has a mind of her own however I would aim to have the afternoon nap be the longest.