quick question from confused mommy

[stagemanager2]

Hey,
Looking through the example routines for 6-12mo I've noticed how different they get for babes 7mo and older.  I just don't know how long Stan should be up for A times.  I thought it was 3hr min but he seems exhausted after 2.5hr! 

Is this an age that the individual personality and needs REALLY become aparent and anything seems to go??

(I'm just a bit confused when I try to compare my routine with examples ... )

[emmas]

Heather - My ds is a bit of everything (spirited, touchy etc) and he had really low A times until about 9 months when he leapt up and has now been on just one nap from 12 months.

I say go with cues - as long as its not just the first A time (so morning nap becomes continuation of night sleep).  Much better to have a baby that is happy whilst awake and sleeps well for naps than a grumpy OT one.

I take it he is going down for naps easily and sleeping for long naps?  Is he still having a catnap?  That is the major change around 7 months.

[stagemanager2]

He usually has one long nap and two short naps... easily is a relative word as about 5 days ago it took hours to get him down bc he ws very ot (we assume as when he got more sleep getting him down got easier).  He is swaddled again and it sometimes takes no time to get him down, it sometimes takes longer... perhaps this is just catching up on the lost sleep?

The reason I'm pretty sure he is getting too much day sleep is bc he wakes at about 4am and chats but cries for me to be there with him... if I don't get him he pulls himself up and starts to cry... just want to make sure I don't force a longer A time then he can handle... thanks

[emmas]

I would say he is getting ready to go to 2 naps - maybe you should try and stretch the 2nd A time a little and see how he goes.  I think 7 months is about average to go to 2 naps.

[lilmonkey]

Hey,
Looking through the example routines for 6-12mo I've noticed how different they get for babes 7mo and older.  I just don't know how long Stan should be up for A times.  I thought it was 3hr min but he seems exhausted after 2.5hr! 

Is this an age that the individual personality and needs REALLY become aparent and anything seems to go??

(I'm just a bit confused when I try to compare my routine with examples ... )

Yes!  I found that after 6/7 mos my babies all take on a new direction in their sleep requirements.  And it changes almost every few weeks, especially with ds.  I was reading another book where the cause for the sleep disruptions and wonkiness has to do with their jump in cognitive, mental and physical abilities.  It is almost like a game of cat and mouse. 

Whenever this happens, I usually go with their cues (if I can clearly read it) but I still try to stretch out the A times.  It is a fine balance. 

[stagemanager2]

he def is going through some big milestones... crawling, sitting up and pulling himself up.  I have tried very hard to keep his routine as consistent as possible but as usual things get in the way...

like today I had to drive dh to work and stan fell asleep in the car for 10min... when we got home I took him to his bedroom and tried to get him to sleep.... well it didn't work AT ALL!!!  He screamed for 1/2 hr and as i have an apointment to go to in 20min I gave up.  He is sitting on the floor playing... I really needed the Y time... I guess I'll just have to wait.