Re: when to E with short naps?

[Nickie18]

Hello- I have posted before about my 6 week old and short naps. You gave the same advise of tracking the E separate from the A and S. Can you write out a sample EASY schedule with 45 minute naps so I can get an idea of how it works. He self settled once and and I would like ot try that at every nap, but if he does only nap for 45 minutes, I can't figure out how to track them separately.

Thank you-

[creations]

Hi there
It would depend on what A time your LO is doing well with at the moment and how frequently you are feeding.
Here is an example based on a 1hr 15min A time and a 3hr E with a short 45 min nap.

Please be aware this is not a schedule to follow as all LOs are different and the EASY routine allows for LO's individual needs.  Sleepy signals are a good guide at this age rather than totally following the clock.  Fitting the feeds in around those naps are mostly a judgement call at the time.  You'll see in the example below some of the A times have no E.  Sometimes the E is brought a little earlier to avoid an E and S clash (don't delay S if possible) or given a little later as LO will likely sleep the full 45 min cycle and feed on waking.

WU 7
E 7.00
A 7.00-8.15 1hr 15min.  A consists of eating, a nappy change, a few mins of interaction (nursery rhyme, toy, chat), wind down, put in bed and sooth to sleep or allow to self settle
S 8.15 - 9.00 a short nap 45 mins
A 9.00 - 10.00 1hr, this is a reduced A time to account for possible OT due to earlier short nap
E 9.45 (2hr 45 since last E.  This E brought early to avoid an E and S clash) if feeding takes longer than 15min begin sooner, say 9.30
A brief A to separate E from S, nappy change, wind down
S 10.00 - 10.45 a short nap of 45 min
A 10.45 - 11.45 1hr reduced A due to short nap. There is no E during this A time.
S 11.45 - 12.30 a short nap of 45 min.
A 12.30 - 1.30 1hr reduced A time
E 12.45 (3hrs since last E)
A continues
S 1.30 - 2.15 short 45 min nap
A 2.15 - 3.15 1hr reduced A. No E during this A
S 3.15 - 4.00 short 45 min nap
E 4.00 on wake up.  (3hrs 15 since last E) This E is slightly late.
etc

The A begins at 1hr 15 ( a guidance A for this age) but is reduced following a short nap to avoid OT.
If a longer nap is achieved then the following A would be full length, this changes the day which is again why the above cannot be used as a schedule but simply serves as an example of being creative with your E times.

I hope this helps
x

[Nickie18]

Thank you sooooo much! That makes it more understandable for me. Though to confuse things more, he is now occasionally sleeping through his transition- awakens for 20 minutes, then back to sleep. Other times not and only 45 minutes. I will just try to wing it making sure his E stays about the same, though don't know how successful I will be:)
I thought my LO was a textbook baby with an angelic twist- is it common for textbook babies to have nap issues?

[creations]

Your baby is still so young, it is common for any baby of this age to have difficulty napping, they have to learn to do it and they have so many other things going on at the same time.  Working towards independent sleep is a gradual process and therefore just takes time.  Try not to stress about it, just keep on with the good habits and remember that all the cuddles you give (and if you need to have him sleep in arms sometimes) help with your bond and this helps him to have confidence and trust in you.  This trust is very important for successful independent sleep.

[Nickie18]

Actually today he sleep through his naps with short wake up in between the sleep stages and settled himself. Now I worry he slept too much! LOL. Very active and happy during the day- so today was a success so far- Thank you again! Until tomorrow...