Stick to nap routine at risk of never leaving the house?

[saylorblue]

DS is 4.5 mos old and this week we've transitioned very well into a 4-hour EASY routine. He's slept two hours in the morning for the last few days and getting better at two hour afternoon naps. And it's made for GREAT sleeping at night (I feel like a new woman getting so many consecutive hours of sleep).

I became a slave to DD's naps when she was little and I didn't do anything most days (and paid for it mentally). But I need to get out and do things. For example, today I need to go to a friend's house to drop something off and her place is about 30 minutes away.

Short of calling MIL to come watch the kids, which I'd rather not do for a variety of reasons, what would you suggest? What do you do? Try to stick to the routine as often as possible and adjust on days when you need to do errands, etc.?

Thanks in advance!!

[Mama2C]

I think you need to assess how your LO handles deviations to the routine. My DD wasn't very flexible when we deviated from our routine. It would take her several days - sometimes weeks - to get back on track if she missed even one nap! So, I stayed home and made sure to give her the routine she needed. I spent a lot of time unable to go out, but it was a sacrifice that I was willing to make because when she was unhappy and unable to go down for naps, I was miserable! And it took a lot of pu/pd to get her back on track! If your LO is able to adjust easily then I'd say you could probably manage it well. Maybe in a week or two, once he is really used to the 4 hour EASY you could try going out and see how he adjusts? But be careful, because my experience taught me that even once can really mess things up!! Good luck!

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

What I always did (and still do if I can) is go out when ds needs his catnap.  He will fall asleep in the car, have his catnap and I am still able to get things done and get out of the house!