APing short naps?

[Ljuicy]

I'm still having problems with short naps, I can't get him past the 30-45 min mark. I do ssh/pat and tried w2s but he just ends up smiling at me and playing with my hands! I've been APing the last 45 mins by letting him sleep on me just so he gets the right amount if sleep.

Is it better to AP so he gets the right amount of sleep time or should i get him up, give him less activity then try again?

He is 16 weeks on a 3.5 hour easy and has 1:45 - 2 hrs awake time.

We have come a long way with his naps/sleep, he goes down awake albeit with a moan and a paci and only has one NW.

Thanks for any advice!

[~Karen~]

Personally I'd do exactly as you're doing as getting enough sleep is paramount.  If he's putting himself to sleep in the first place then I really wouldn't worry about AP'ing to extend right now.  Hopefully he'll start transitioning on his on naturally once he gets a bit older.  What sort of A time is he doing right now?

[Ljuicy]

Hi, thanks for your response.

I was wondering whether he would do it naturally as I've had such problems with his sleep at the beginning, we had to co sleep because he wouldn't even go in his own cot untill 8 weeks and he use to have a meltdown at nap and bedtimes so we have come really far.

Apart from his first A time, he usually does around 2 hrs A time and because of his naps we do EASA.

[Ljuicy]

Also, sometimes he gets up for 1/2 hour them goes back to sleep for another 45 mins, is that ok?

The main thing is to not let him sleep straight after a feed isn't it?

[dizzy]

I am having same problems as you are and aping just like you but I think my actviity time must be too long, maybe your is a touch too long?

[~Karen~]

The average A time at 4 months is 1h 45mins to 2 hours so you could always see if shaving 5/10 minutes off it helps at all.  Does he seem OT at all or are you happy that by AP'ing you're keeping on top of that?

Also, sometimes he gets up for 1/2 hour them goes back to sleep for another 45 mins, is that ok?

I used to leave ds2 for that long if he woke early from nap and he's generally go back to sleep by 30 mins or sometimes a bit longer if I was sure he was about to drop back off!  Have you tried leaving you lo to see what happens or will he just cry?

The main thing is to not let him sleep straight after a feed isn't it?

As long as they don't fall asleep feeding I'd put them down straight after a feed.  At times I'd give a bit of extra milk before putting down to stop them waking up hungry.

[dizzy]

If I leave mine he wakes up completely and chats for a bit then he cries.

[Ljuicy]

His A time is usually between 1hr45 and 2hrs and I always WD around 1:30 so that he is not over stimulated, I always go by his sleepy cues too. I don't mind APing as long as he gets his sleep as he is much happier on his awake time!

I found that when I was having trouble with his naps before it was because I was putting him down too early, he is much better since increasing his A time.

If I leave him, he just cries unfortunately and gets upset. Today for example he woke after 40 mins, I tried to get him back off which didn't work, so got him out and gave him a cuddle for about 30 mins then he went back to sleep on me.

When he does wake early, he is quite happy to wait an hour or so before his next feed so I don't think he needs extra food.....he is teething too so prob doesn't help!