Something that is working for me - it might be a prop

[Stine333]

I have been battling the 35-45 min naps for a month with my 11 week old son.  I tried s/p and it worked once.  I did find that he likes to be patted on his bottom - but I was lightheaded from all of the shhhhing.  I tried w/s for a week and I guess I never got the timing right.

So over the weekend, my husband was in charge of naps - and he extended every one.  Do you know what he did?  He stuck a paci in his mouth when he first started to hear him stir.    He settled and went back to sleep until I woke him up!  It has worked every time for 6 days.  Sometimes I have to put it in 5-6 times over 20 min - but all but once (when the dog was barking) he has gone back to sleep.  Sometimes I only have to put it in once!  This morning - I put it in twice and he was back out and is still asleep 1.5 hours later!  I have been so happy I have almost cried.  He is so cute and happy after he has slept.

I have been on the props board and I don't think it is a prop.  He does not need it to fall asleep and does not use it at night.  He sleeps for 10 hrs at night without waking and no dreamfeed.  (he is swaddled at night , but not for naps) He has always spit it out when I go in to wake him - so I am not sure how long he sucks on it.  I always put him in his crib awake and after a minute of crabbing falls asleep on his own.  So I think he is pretty good with sleeping - he just needs help extending that nap.  If it is a prop - I guess I am OK with it for now - he is getting the sleep he needs and is actually requiring me to put the paci in less and less times. 

If I knew it could have been this easy weeks ago.  What do you all think?

[jomige]

Stine333,
I am not sure if it is a prop but it doesn't sound like it to me.  And you know what, I do the same exact thing...that is how I fought of the 45 minute nap monster too!  Shhh/pat doesn't work but that did.  I now usually only have to replace it once, if at all.  And if it is a prop...I am okay with it.  She uses it to fall asleep but doesn't wake up when it falls out (she only wakes at the 45 minute mark and not even every nap) and she doesn't wake at night for it.  So I can live with it for now even if it is a prop.  It made our lives much better!  And like you we have a happy, well rested baby!

Congrats on finding somethings that works!

Jodi

[Stine333]

Jodi-

That is the way I feel about it.  At least he is getting his rest that he obviously needs.  Thanks for the support.

[Mariek]

Hi

This is exactly how my DD used her paci/dummy, she eventually stopped needing it at all so it never became a prop issue for us.

love

[kbella]

That's awesome!  I wish I could do the same but I'd bet my life DS would turn it into a prop again. 

[SallyDom]

Well done, it is so great when we kick that 45 minute nap monster up the ass! Just a thought though, why don't you swaddle for naps? Just wondered if your little one didn't need a paci at night when he was swaddled he might just need to be swaddled for naps too? I used to swaddle my little boy for all naps as well as night time though now use a sleeping bag (which I put him into for naps unless he is wearing really warm clothes - don't want him to get too hot)
Sal
x

[Stine333]

I have tried to swaddle for naps - but it did not seem to make a difference.  He is growing out of the swaddle and I am afraid we are going to have to wean from that pretty soon.  You will probably see me in the swaddle weaning room sometime soon I am afraid.

[Stine333]

Just to update....

For his final nap - I was hanging around to see if he would wake at his usual time.  At about 40 min his legs and arms did their usual kick and he turned his head and went back to sleep.  It was a miracle.  His first 1.5 hour nap without help in over a month.  This makes our first perfect 3 hr EASY day.  The times may have been a little off depending on when he woke and went to sleep - but the order was right and he had three 1.5 hr naps and a catnap.  I am sorry to go on and on - I am just so excited.  Watch - with my luck tomorrow will be bad.  Oh well - it is almost the weekend.

[SallyDom]

Oh congrats! It so wonderful when it all comes together. I hope it continues. I always think that if they can do something once they can do it again.
Sal
x

[yaya]

Yay! So happy for you and DS!