5 month old's naps suddenly got short again

[lady5280]

Suddenly, in the last few days, my LO's naps have gone from 1.5 hours to anywhere from 35 mins to an hour. Today his first was an hour, second was 45 minutes, and third was just 40 minutes. I'm not sure what is going on, as his BTs have been a nightmare as well. A time has increased, and everything was working out great before. Any ideas what's going on?

[jennfl]

We are right at five months and having the same thing too!  Just started a week or so ago.  We're working on consistent A times of about 2 hours before first morning nap, then around 2hr15-2hr25 mins for the second and third A times.  Also, we were talking today that he takes better naps when he's been with my husband and he puts him down.  I think the difference between the two of us is that I over stimulate him.  I'm always trying to keep him busy and moving during A times and then I do a longer wind down.  My husband keeps it lower key during A times and does an activity but not a bunch, then a shorter wind down.  It seems like he responds better to the way my husband is doing it.  I am that type of person, very go go go. And he's the opposite, very laid back.  Could I be wiring him up too much before the nap? 

We did just start to increase the A times by a few mins with the advice from the boards.  I guess we will stick with this and see.  He's been asleep now for his first am nap for an hour and a half with a 2hr 5 min A time before it (and we went to breakfast).  And my husband put him down.  Ugh.  So hard to get this right.

Good luck.

[lady5280]

I wish my husband was able to put him down but he has a very inconsistent work schedule so some days he is here the first part of the day and some days the last part. LO's sleep has gotten so bad these past few days that I'm actually starting to worry about him. I tried to get him down around the 2 hour mark but he cried, so I took him out of the room and tried again 10 minutes later. Same result. He has now been awake for 2 and a half hours and still crying...last night he only got 7 hours of sleep (

I feel like something is wrong, but the pediatrician doesn't take me seriously. They chalk it up to teething. But 7 hours of sleep? That's really no good. Especially since his day yesterday was awful too.

[creations]

Hi there
Sorry to hear you're having nap difficulty at the moment.

Could you post a real day EAS with sleep and wake up times so we can have a look please?

[lady5280]

Well today was a great day for naps and for EASY. I wonder if it's teething or developmental leaps that threw him off for almost 2 weeks.

Awake 6:30
E: 6:40
Peaches at 7:40
S: 8:30-9:50
E: 10:30
S: 12-1:20
E: 2pm
S: 3:45-(35 minutes into CN)

Keeping my fingers crossed that this is how our days start looking!

[creations]

Yes your day looks really good.  Let's hope it continues
Have you tried increasing the first A a little?  Or do you already know that your LO prefers a shorter first A and longer through the day?

[lady5280]

I had extended his A time for a bit but that was when I noticed his naps shortening so have since scaled them back a bit. I think now by the time he actually falls asleep he gets to about 2 hours 5-10 minutes for the first and second A times, then more like 2.5-2.75 for BT. Now if I can just get him to bed without a huge cry fest we will be golden!