Just wanted to share what worked for us with our 8 mo. old LO with early wakings and short naps. Let me preface this by saying that this is just what has worked for us. It may not work for everyone and I know that some would disagree with our routine, specifically our bedtime. Our LO has been a pretty good sleeper and is able to consistently fall asleep without any props. However, he was often waking between 5:30 and 6:00 AM and unable to fall back asleep. Not crying and not hungry, just wide awake and ready to play!!! We don't get him up until 7:00, but he would just play quietly until that time. This then threw the rest of his schedule for the day and he was tired and ready for his first nap very early. He also was a 30-45 minute napper! His routine was: wake up between 5:30 and 6:00 (although played in bed until 7:00), ready for first nap at 9:00 (30-45 min), second nap around 1:00 (30-45 min), 3rd nap around 5:00 (needed this nap due to short 1st and 2nd naps), bed between 7:30 and 8:00.
Here is what worked for us in order to address the early wakings and short naps:
1. Moved his first morning nap of the day later (now between 9:45 & 10:00)
2. Moved his bedtime later (now at 8:30) - I know it is often thought that early wakings are due to overtiredness, but I consistently noted with my LO that when I put him to bed early for several days he would start to wake earlier, and when I put him to bed later for several days (takes a while to see the change) he started to wake later. I certainly do feel that for many children overtiredness can play a role, but I think for my LO 10 hours is what he needs at night and then he is awake, happy, and ready to play.
3. Stretching A time - slowly did this to move the morning nap back and stretch times between naps.
4. Time - I do think that time also plays a role with the 45 min naps...most children do work through the short naps as they mature.
5. Extending naps - If he woke up after 30 minutes I would work on extending for 60 more minutes. If he woke up after 45 min I would work on extending for anouther 45 min. If he woke after 1 hour I would get him up.
Now his schedule is: Wake between 6:15 and 7:00, get up at 7:00, nap at 9:45 to 10:00 (usually 1 1/2 hrs), nap between 2:30 & 3:00 (usually 1 1/2 to 2 hrs), bedtime at 8:30.
He has been successful with this routine now for 3-4 days, and certainly I'm sure we may have setbacks, but it is definately a start. Just wanted to share what worked for us (so far), as I know it can be so frustrating with the short naps and early wakings!!!
