Can't get to 4 hr EASY...short naps are killing me

[Otownmama]

I am still struggling to keep on EASY, let alone get to 4 hr EASY, because of chronically short naps. I'm getting incredibly frustrated and my LO hasn't napped for more than 30 minutes on her own in over a week. I have had a few successes with W2S, or really just hovering to be there and stick the paci in or pin down her arms when she stirs, but today hasn't been good at all. My LO is 5.5 mos (I know, should totally be on 4 hr EASY by now!) and is EBF still, although I'm thinking of starting solids this week. She STTN after a DF around 1030 and usually starts to wake up around 630, but doesn't really start the day until 645-7. Our EASY is pretty much 3.5 hr feedings, with 2-2.25 hr As, but later in the day getting to 3.5 is increasingly difficult. Can someone advise as to how to organize our days better?

645 - E
840 - wind down
850 - S (W2S around 25 mins, usually extend to about 1 hr)
10 - gentle A

1015 - E
1200 - wind down
1210 - S (W2S around 25 mins, usually extend to about 1hr10 mins)
120 - gentle A

145 - E
320 - wind down
330 - S (don't always bother with W2S, in which case we get 35 mins)
445-5ish - E

630 - bath, wind down, final E
715 - S
1030 DF

This is kind of an ideal for now. In reality we sometimes get days like today where the first nap is 45 mins, the second is 35, and EASY becomes EASA with no sign of a Y at all  But holding her off till 4 hrs after a short nap is almost impossible, 3.5 hrs maybe. And then the next EASY becomes completely messed up after short naps.

Honestly, I'm close to going crazy trying to deal with the schedule and the absolute obsession with trying to get her to sleep for more than 30 mins, and am failing to enjoy life or my baby very much right now. Grateful for any tips...I should note - she goes down for naps very well, and we really haven't had much success with PUPD, especially since she usually wakes from naps quite ready to play but also because I don't really have the fortitude to fight with her to sleep, when it just makes her crankier!

Appreciate any help!

[anna*]

Some BF babies never make it to a 4-hour EASY, so try not to worry too much (easier said than done I know). Also, a big part of the naps thing is developmental. In the next few weeks to a month she'll start to find it easier. Yes you should still try to help her to extend, but don't stress about it. If the first two naps are bad, I say put her in her pram/stroller and get out of the house. The change of scene and fresh air will do you both good and maybe she will nap on the go.

Remember that after a 1hr nap (or less), she won't need a full A time of 2-2hrs15mins. Cut it back to 1hr 45 or less. Keep cutting back as she does more short naps in a day, it's better to have more, short naps.

[sherry lynn]

Otownmama - I completely agree with Anna. She gave really good advice. The good news in your routine is that your LO is STTN. In that case I wouldn't worry so much about the feeding times at all. She seems to be getting enough food during the day.
I did find the short naps to be developmental. And since you said holding down the arms helps it seems that your LO is just really struggling to get through the sleep cycles. My son really really struggled with that. It took him a long time to get better at it, but he still wakes up during naps during the cycles sometimes. But now he is better at putting him self back to sleep.

Make sure to get out and enjoy some fresh air. It will help you and your LO