Short Day Naps

[kk123]

Hi all. Can anyone offer advice and share their experience on short day time naps? My DS is great at falling asleep, but not great at napping - no longer than 30-40 mins in between his feedings.

I'd like to decrease the # of feedings to every 4 hours (rather than his current 3 hrs) with longer stretches of naps. He does have pretty bad acid reflux so I don't overdue his activity time with tummy time or lying down (mostly in a bouncer.)

I never used a swing so I don't know what his "natural" sleep cycle would have been...

His rough schedule:

E: 7a, 10a, 1p, 4p, 7p for about 30-40 mins (usually sleepy during feedings)
A: after E, for about 45 mins
S: 30 - 40 mins (wakes up crying)
After S, we have about 30 mins or more of my trying to get him to sleep more... until his next feed

8p - 6a Sleeps
6a - 7a Try to get him back to sleep

Thank you!

[ZacsMumme]

Hugs, how old is your LO? Is he on bottle or bf?
Is the reflux controlled at the moment? - any meds?

How long is he awake before you are trying for a nap? - any swaddle? Paci?

Reflux babies are tough, until the pain is managed you will have sleep problems really, lots of APOP can help you both get through. Will he nap in a sling? Is his cot elevated?

[kk123]

Hi!

He's 11 weeks old and EBF. His reflux is getting better - no meds - I keep him elevated in a bouncer after his feeding.

He is awake for 30-45 mins after he feeds. He is swaddled. No paci. Just goes down.

He no longer likes the sling for napping. He sleeps in his crib. Used to elevate the mattress with a wedge, but he was rolling down so stopped that.

He sleeps for 30 mins and wakes up crying. Try to get him back to sleep but sometimes takes 30 mins by which time it's time to feed again...

Thanks for your help/advice!
Cheers.

[ZacsMumme]

He sleeps for 30 mins and wakes up crying.

This nap length typically means UT/OT at this age OR discomfort from the reflux.
When he wakes in the morning, how long is he awake from eyes open to eyes closed - including the feed....approx 1hr?

HUGS its really tough when they short nap

[kk123]

Yes. He usually wakes up at 6/6.30a (this is from gas), but he stays in his crib til 7a.

Then he feeds for 30 mins, and is up for another 45 mins in his bouncer playing or on an activity mat.

He starts rubbing his eyes, yawning, etc. so he gets put in his crib.

Sleeps for 30 mins, wakes up crying and won't go back to sleep. I don't think it's from reflux. I think he just doesn't know how to put himself back to sleep.

Any advice?

[ZacsMumme]

I would try maybe putting down for the first nap a touch earlier In case he is OT by time he falls asleep.
Have you watched how he wakes? - any jolts?

Have you tried to resettle with shy/pat? Or you can try W2S/HTTJ if you think it's developmental?
How do I address habitual wakings? (wake-to-sleep and other methods)