What strategies can we try to get good naps?

[koe2moe]

DS is just 13 mos and just got over from 3 weeks straight of all kinds of illnesses.  It's been 3 weeks since he started to recover (seems like another cold is starting but at least no fever).  For 4 nights, he's been STTN and waking from 5:30, to 5:50, 6:10 and this morning 7:15.  (Bed time was around 7:30-8, except 1 night was 6 because of lack of nap).

The problem now is and has been forever that we couldn't get him to nap in his cot for longer than 30mins.  This has been going on since he's 8mos or so.  We discovered, by accident, (as we were sick and just didn't have energy to do PU/PD, so brought DS to bed with us) if we want to, we could get him to nap longer with DH or me in our bed for 2-3hrs depending on what time of day it is. 

So my question is what strategies can we try to tackle this nap problem?  DS is clearly tired after 30mins and gets very grumpy.  Another question is whether to get decent nap in him (by sleeping with him) or to sleep train him to sleep on his own in his cot?  He has no problem to have night sleep in his cot. 

Thanks in advance!

[jordiwes]

That is definitely your call. We've used AP for naps on and off forever. However for me, with a baby on the way, it's useful to do the training.
You can start with a gradual approach by laying beside him in his room. Also, what time are you putting him down? I'm wondering if he's overtired by nap time...

[koe2moe]

Thanks jordiwes!  I just want to know that I'm not a bad mama for choosing the easy way.  It's so hard to lay next to his cot through his full 30mins of crying or screaming!  I'll start another post for EASY tweak as I will have 2 weeks off to do it.