When to start Shh-pat

[vixter07]

Hi,
I am new to BW-SAYP and have my DD (4 weeks old) on the 3-hour EASY. The last few days she has resisted some of her naps and is waking frequently during these naps. She may be OT so I want to get her back to sleep asap to ensure she is sleeping enough during the day so that she doesn't wake frequently at night. My question is when I should be doing the shh-pat method. It seems to work to calm her down and get her drowsy. But DD often lays quietly with her eyes wide open. She isn't fussing or uncomfortable but looks sleepy. Today she laid awake for about 30 minutes during a nap time. Other times she will wake up and fuss or cry so I will start the shh-pat then. I just don't know if I should be letting her lay awake when she should be napping or whether I should start the shhh-pat before she fusses to try to get her to sleep earlier. I'd hate to let her lay there awake and have her not sleep at all during nap time and get her even more OT!
Thanks!
PS- She has some reflux but doesn't seem to be in pain when waking.

Today;
E/awake 7:50-8:20
S-8:20-10:20
E-10:30
A-10:50-11:10
S11:10-11:50, awake for a few minutes then back to sleep until 12:30. Then awake, crying. Gave soother. Reswaddled, shh-pat didn't work. DD stayed awake until 1:20.
E- 1:25
A- 1:25- 2:00
S- 2:05, awake 2:30-2:50. Shh-pat and sleeping again at 2:57 and stirring again now (3:43). Since it is now 45 minutes should I try to sit near her prepared to sshh-pat or hope she doesn't wake or falls back asleep on her own?

[creations]

Hello, welcome to the site :-)
I can remember my LO lying awake doing the 'seven mile stare' for ages when he was that age, just like yours.  I left him to it, as long as he was content I left him.  At that time he was having day naps in the living room so I was in and out keeping an eye on him, usually he'd eventually nod off on his own and I thought that was great, truly independent and no crying or fussing.  Sometimes he would stare like that for a long time and then have a little fuss, I tended to do as little as possible, eg say 'it's ok mummy's still here' or 'it's ok you're just tired, off to sleep now.'  If the fussing escalated I'd do a little shush pat. Escalated more I'd sing him a song he knew, more and I'd pick up until calm then put down.  To be honest I didn't keep track then of exactly how long he slept because it never seemed to be an issue, I just followed his cues.