Catnaps - are they just like naps?

[anna*]

Another newbie question - if we're aiming for a 45min-ish catnap, should I go through all the same routine as for a 'normal' long nap ie wind down, nappy change, swaddle, lullaby etc?

thanks

anna
x

[*Nicola*]

Not sure what others do but we have always followed the same nap routine at catnaps 

 

[anna*]

Thanks Nicola - we tried tonight but Stan went into complete meltdown, inconsolable. I'm afraid some accidental parenting happened and he had a little nap in his swaddle in his carseat 
Still, I"m taking my victories where I can find them and he had three brilliant naps today, a very happy bath and calm bedtime, and went of to sleep at 7pm like a little angel!
 

anna
x

[Maffoos mummy]

Yes we always did exactly the same thing for every nap here too regardless of length so his "sleep cues" were consistent.

[*Nicola*]

Sometimes by the end of the day I find that Callie can cope with less even if she is well rested.  It might be an idea to start the wind down a bit earlier so he is not OT/OS by sleep time. Does he usually take catnap well?  We battled for weeks to get Callie to take it and it is still hit and miss at 17 weeks 

The good news is that the catnap is your freebie    Use any method to get your baby to sleep for the catnap, so AP away    It is important that they take it to get them past the bath and bedtime routine.  If you are having 3 good naps and good bedtimes I would definitely be using AP to get him to take the catnap if he is resisting.

Great news on the fab bedtime 

[anna*]

Hehe actually today is our first day trying to get onto a 3-hour EASY.  I suppose I should have asked my question beforehand! Actually, I quite like the idea of having the catnap happen not in the same way as other naps, just so he knows that if needs be he CAN sleep not swaddled, not in his cot etc. Never know when it might come in handy, ie stuck in traffic.

Better get to bed - last night he had me up 4 times between 2 and 7, I spent hours shh-patting. I need to build up my strength! 

anna
x

[*Nicola*]

(((Hugs))) you'll get there 

[anna*]

aww thanks - I hope so!!!

[jess, lukeys_mom]

Actually, I quite like the idea of having the catnap happen not in the same way as other naps, just so he knows that if needs be he CAN sleep not swaddled, not in his cot etc.

Agree with you there, nothing like AP when on a long intercontinental flight with a lo who needs to sleep I'll second Nicola's good advice, Luke was also really hard to get down for the catnap as I think is the case with many los where this is the toughest nap. I think about 75% of ours were in the buggy which gave me a good chance to get some activity in me. Good luck starting easy  x