re: cranky baby won't nap for long!

[Mason's Mum]

My little one has just started sleeping through the night this past week - we have moved him into a crib in his own room and I think this has helped all of us to get a good sleep. 

For about the past two weeks, we have been working on extending his naps because it was apparent he was not getting enough sleep to see him through to to the next nap.  For some reason, I haven't been able to get him back to sleep again after he wakes up from a nap early. 

Here's the vicious cycle.  He will nap for about 30-45 minutes then refuse to go back to sleep.  Then we'll have cranky baby until the next feed.  After the next feed, he will be so tired that he will only go about 15 minutes (to change the diaper etc.) and then he's desperate for a nap.  He'll nap for 30-45 minutes and then we start again. 

By 7:30 last night, it was impossible to put him down to sleep, and we struggled with it until 9:30 or so.  HELP!

[Jazmyn]

I would basically say try shush/pat as a starter or PU/PD or W2S.  I too am feeling your pain as my little boy is the same but I refuse to let him go, I will continue to insist he sleeps until he does.  Even if its only 10 minutes before the next feed that he falls asleep.  Today he fell asleeo for his nap at 7.30am, woke at 8am and continued to fight me until 9am after much shush/patting.  He eventually fell asleep for another 40 minutes  before his next feed which was fine by me as long as he slept.  I have decided as of now that what I say WILL be, unless he is hungry, or ill or in need of something obviously, then I wouldnt insist he sleep.  Since I have had more conviction and determination it seems to have affected him and he realises that mummy means business!! 

[Mason's Mum]

I tried shush/pat for 45 minutes after his last nap.  I snuck into his room and sat there until he started to stir (which took only 36 minutes) and then tried to lull him back to sleep.  After 45 minutes I gave up.  I really don't know if this is a fight worth fighting - it is soo hard!

[Jazmyn]

It is VERY hard.  Does he have a paci?  Is he swaddled?  My lo has to be swaddled and plugged in but quite often he will still fight it.  It really is frustrating, and with my lo I know he is still tired, he just keeps fighting it.  Sometimes though he will go back to sleep, it just depends.  You could try W2S.  It hasnt worked for me yet but some people swear by it.

[Maple Leaf]

Just wanted to add that I'm exactly the same!! My LO will also FIGHT sleep for the longest time and it's the MOST frustrating thing, knowing this is what he needs but he will not shut his eyes. I'm glad you said that you wanted to give up after 45 mins of shh-pat as when it just doesn't work, it's hell. 

I'm with you..and trying to stick with it too, so let's see how we get on Mason's Mum!!! Good luck 

[Mason's Mum]

I've been thinking about this for a day now and I'm wondering if this 45 minute napping thing is ok after all.  Yesturday his mood was fine as long as I really watched his cues and today I took him for a long walk in the afternoon so he could have a little more sleep.  I'm just thinking that he does sleep for 12 hours at night and takes 4 naps of 45 minutes or so.  Maybe he doesn't really need more sleep?  I'm also wondering if he does get cranky due to overstimulation.  He seems to be more cranky when his aunt or dad is around as opposed to when it is just him and I.  During the day we are pretty laid back - we just sit and play quietly or he sits in his swing/vibrating chair.  Any ideas/suggestions on this?  I just really don't want to spend my days fighting with him over this!

[Mason's Mum]

Maple Leaf - how are things going?  I have been able to extend my LO's naps for two days now!  It has taken about 15 minutes or so to get him re-settled, but then he sleeps another 45 minutes.  I actually have enough time to shower AND eat my breakfast.  I would agree with Jazmyn when she talks about doing shush/pat with conviction.  They do seem to understand that you mean business!