Tweaking A times, need advice!

[Tabathagucci]

My 15 WO DS takes consistent 30-35 min naps.  He used to take one full nap in the morning and the rest were 30-45 mins, but at 12 weeks stopped started taking 30 min naps pretty much all the time.  I
use the swing for 1-2 naps a day, which helps extend his naps to 1-2 hrs usually, because I can't handle it otherwise!  But lately he wont stay asleep in the swing either.  I have increased his awake time to 1 hr 30 mins and here is how today went:
E 7:30 a
A
S 9 a (slept full nap in crib with httj)

E 10:30 a
A
S 12 p (in crib, moved to swing at 30 mins because httj/pat shush not working)

E 1:30 p
A
S 3 p (in swing woke after 30-40 mins or so  and started crying)

A 3:45 p
E 4:30
A
S 5:10 (in crib slept on/off for 40 using httj) appeared tired/fussy for awake time
A 6 p bath time
E 7 p
A short awake time/wind down
S 7:30

E 10:30 dream feed  I have been somewhat successful at NE the first and sometimes the last nap with pat shush and httj since I have increased his A time.  His room is dark and we use white noise and swaddle. 

I am trying to extend A time more as I know its short for his age but he gets really cranky around the 1 hr or 1 hr 15 min mark and then starts rubbing his eyes and burying his head in my chest.  I feel like I need to keep extending A time (5 mins every 3 days or so) but he seems so tired I feel bad!

Any suggestions or advice?

Wondering if he is ready for me to start slowly increasing A times and heading toward 3 naps, but he seems a bit young for that.  Please let me know what you think.  He's 15 weeks this wednesday.

Thanks!

[creations]

Hi.  Yes it sounds like an A time increase could help here.
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64158.0

It would be acceptable to be moving towards 3 naps now.  Two long naps and a CN.
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=85134.0

Don't forget that the times etc are a guidance and you need to allow for your LOs individual needs too.

Sometimes increasing the A can be difficult because their body clock tells them it is nearly time for a nap so they begin to get ready for it.  This is only to be expected as they are in a routine where we have taught them what to expect.  Now you want to extend the A out bit by bit.  Some LOs can take a full 15 min increase in one go, some can't.  If you are finding it difficult to stretch the A because he is so tired do it slowly like you've said, also there might be parts of your wind down that you can extend.  In doing it this way your LO knows that you are responding to his desire for sleep but you are also extending his A.  For example a nappy change could be a little slower by having a little more conversation during it.  I know with my DS he was always very patient with things that he knew were part of the routine.

Let us know how it goes x