Next steps if short nap intervention doesn't work?

[enebro]

My twins are 6 months.  I have them napping in separate rooms to avoid any possibility that they are interrupting each other's naps.  90% of the time they wake up somewhere between 30-45 minutes.  I have tried all of the short nap intervention methods I have heard of over the past two months.  It seemed to be working at first, but over the long run, I believe they have just learned that someone needs to come to usher them into the second phase of sleep (at this point they will go back to sleep if I pick them up and hold/rock them).  Basically, I think I screwed up the short nap intervention, or alternately, they are just willful little boys.  Do I move on to PU/PD for naps at this point?  Any advice?

I have SO many questions now that I joined this forum, but I'll try to keep them simple and not spew them all out at once!

[becj86]

Have you tried shush/pat? I would try that first, before going to PUPD, as PUPD is meant as a last resort when shush/pat or gradual withdrawal hasn't worked after being used consistently for at least a week.

I'm not sure on the logistics of sleep training twins I think I've read somewhere that its easiest to sleep train one, then the other so you can concentrate and keep it consistent.

[*Kara*]

Could you post your current EASY?  Lets make sure that everything is in good order with their routine first

[enebro]

Thanks!  I tried shush/pat a little late in the game, and now, according to Tracy's book, they are too old for it - it's too distracting.  And I thought I read that gradual withdrawal is also only good for young babies.  If I'm wrong please correct me because I would hate to be missing something!

My EASY is not age appropriate, I'm sorry to say.  But it's gradually improving.  I feel the main obstacle to getting on a better EASY is the short naps, to be honest.  With the two babies, it's very hard for me to "force" them into a schedule because once they get overtired from short naps and me keeping them up later, they have breakdowns that I can't control.  I only have one set of hands!

Here is my current routine with an approximate schedule.  The only thing set in stone in this routine is wake time and bedtime, the timing/schedule (although not routine) of everything else depends on how well they nap.  At BEST they nap for 1 hour, 20 minutes.  Right now I exhaust myself by going in and putting them back down for naps when they wake in the 30-45 minute range.  If they both wake at the same time - that's it, nap is over.  If my DH is home or I have other help, we put them both back down if they both wake.  If they both "sleep through", then I am a blissful, happy mom!

6:30 Wake
6:45 Eat - BF, formula supplement, solids
7:15 Activity - usually floor time
9:00 Sleep
10:30 Eat - BF, formula supplement
11:00 Activity - usually activity-chair time
12:30 Sleep
2:00 Eat - BF, formula supplement, solids
2:30 Activity - variable
4:00 Cat Nap (usually 30 minutes during a one hour stroller ride)
5:30 Eat - formula supplement, solids
6:30 or 7 - Sleep w/ BF and formula supplement
Midnight - BF
4:00 am - BF

*note - there is no "You" time

[*Kara*]

First off - good on you for BFing twins!

One thing I do notice is that they are having a lot of solids hun.  Most babies are only once, maybe twice a day at this age.  Also, they are only on a 3.5 hr eating routine, this should be 4 hrs + where solids are offered.  It's possible that they are becoming slight snackers and not taking full feeds to see them through until the next feed time - this could also cause shorter naps.

I would start with pushing that first A time out a bit hun...   at 6.5 months, 2 hrs 45 mins is common and very average   I would start with that extra 15 mins added to your morning A time for a few days and see if those first naps lengthen out for you.  Really, they should be headed towards 2 naps and much more Y time for momma

[kthow3]

I just want to say that I am so impressed with you nursing and parenting twins!  I give you tons of credit, and you put all my efforts to shame!  I hope things settle down for you soon and you get some good "you" time in!

[enebro]

Thanks for the BFing support!  It means a lot to hear that!

@Kara - I agree that they are having a lot of solids!  My doctor assures me that it's ok though.  They seem to want it and LOVE it.  Plus, these guys have been tiny tiny (2nd percentile) so the extra calories seem to be needed (and since starting solids, their weight is going up nicely).  In spite of my doctor's reassurance, you still think it's too much?  It feels right when I'm feeding them.  And I want to get them on the 4-hour routine so badly!  And yes, I fear they are snackers.  But I don't believe they are waking up from naps early because of hunger.  I really, really believe it's because they can't self sooth, and they pop awake during that first sleep transition, and like I mentioned, my interventions haven't worked and I think the boys now expect me to come in at 30-40 minutes and put them back to sleep.  And finally, it is so, so hard to stretch their awake time because I can't keep both of them calm and relaxed as nap/bedtime approaches.  If you have any suggestions for juggling two overtired babies, I would LOVE it!

Thanks so much, and I'm sorry not to respond earlier.  My hands are a little busy right now

[*Kara*]

By all means, if you think the solids are going well for them and you don't see any discomfort from it, continue as you are   Momma always knows best... but don't be in a rush thinking that they will go longer between BF's with more solids.  BM has far more calories/fat etc ounce for ounce than solids do and will keep them fuller for longer.. the solids are meant to just be a bit extra for learning at this age - not for nutrition so much.

I did want to comment on the 2nd percentile concern as well.  The actual number is completely irrelevant as it only states how big they are in terms of averages to all other babies... some babies are big and some are small.  What is important is that they remain close to the same percentile over time... if they were 10th at birth and fluctuated from 5th to 20th, this would be normal... if they were 100th at birth and dropped down to 10th, this would be a concern.  It's also a concern if they jump up the scale - so start at 15th and leap to 80th, KWIM?

As for keeping two babies happy who are OT/OS - I have yet to master amusing one OT/OS bubs