4 mo old on 6-6 schedule, would prefer 7-7...any suggestions?

[JulieNG]

I'm new to EASY and thinking about implementing a 3.5 hr easy. The problem is I can't get my LO to take the last catnap of the day so he goes to bed at 6. He wakes from his last nap around 3:30-4 and is tired by 5 usually. Normally he can soothe to sleep but for this nap cannot. I have a toddler running around and dinner cooking so for me to spend time rocking him is hard at this time. I've tried and it can take up to 45 minutes to get him to sleep and then it's his normal bedtime of 6. Any suggestions on pushing it back to 7 and getting him to nap later?

[momofclaire]

Hi,
At four months most babies can handle a 4 hour easy. If you post your routine maybe we can come up with something that may work for you. Does he go down on his own for naps and bedtime?

[Mommylgee]

Hi JulieNG
I have a 4 mo too and she's on a 6/6 schedule, but on a 4 hr EASY - I'd like to know the answer to this too as I'm not a morning person!

If your lo is 4 mo, he'll def. want the last catnap because he won't have had as much sleep during the day.  When they're on a 3.5 hr EASY, I'm pretty sure there is no catnap, just 3 1.5-2 hr naps during the day.  (That's what I did while I was on 3.5).  In any case,  would love to know the answer to changing a schedule - hope you don't mind if I tagged along on this.  :-)

[JulieNG]

Hello,
My normal day is something like this:
Wake at 6:45
7:00 bottle
In crib at 7:55, sleep from 8:20-10:00 (normally he can only handle 1 hour of wake time in the early am). That is why I'm wondering how I would implement a 4 hour easy.
10:20 bottle and rice cereal
11:30-12:30 sleep
2:00 bottle
2:30-3:30 sleep
4:20 bottle and rice cereal
4:45 appears tired, try nap at 5 with no success
6:00 not hungry and bedtime.

It seems at sometimes during the day he can only handle 1-1:30 of wake time and others longer. When I keep him up to long he gets way overtired and I can't just put him in his crib and he needs me to rock/soothe him for so long and he doesn't sleep long. If I time it right he does right down in crib.

When you do 2 hrs of wake time, what time do you start winding them down? If I wait 2 hours I can't get him to sleep and normally he can put himself to sleep.

Also, when feeding solids do you do it at the same time on the schedule as the bottle. My LO usually don't want them both together. He wants the bottle like an hour later so how does that work on the schedule?

Thanks for your help

[momofclaire]

It might be that your little one can't handle a four hour routine right now.  Some babies can't do it right at 4 months.  I would try to shoot for 3.5 while you transition. The most important thing is to make sure he is getting enough rest so he doesn't become overtired.  It sounds like you are aware of his cues and what he can handle so I would go with that. 

I do have a quick question.  When did you start solids?  It seems a bit early as most babies have a tough time with them to start.  I would make sure you always give milk first as it is their primary means of nutrition until a year.