4 month old and short naps

[Aishi]

That's great progress! Well done you!

It's a good plan To increase first a to 2h. Anything under 1h20 is an UT nap and since you've been at it for 5 days it should be ok to increase and hold for 3-5 days as it takes time for lo to adjust so u may well get an get nap or two (exception 30min which is OT and 20 min which is discomfort). If she short naps then I would keep next a 1h30-45. And yes just push through the tired signs as she obviously needed at push

If lo wakes from nap crying and is grumpy touchy after nap then it's OT. If he wakes and stays happy then it's UT (although my lo does this for OT and UT naps !)

Good luck and let us know how you get on in a few days...x

[Eva's Mummy]

Well that makes sense as she always wakes up happy so i think she has been UT. So do if i get a nap anything over 1hr 20 for a first A time of 2 hours should i keep the next A time at 2 hours?

It's funny how it all seems kinda logical when you have someone explaining it to you 

[Aishi]

Is your second a time 2 hours? If not I would keep It as it is and if you get a really good first nap of 1.5+h then increase second a by 10min from what it is currently. I wouldn't make any drastic increases as it could backfire! Good luck!

[Eva's Mummy]

Ah right so its just the first A time i am increasing and leaving the rest at 1hr 45mins.

So when would i increase the other A times, i'm so confused?

[Aishi]

Well like I said if first nap is good you can increase second a too. Generally we recommend working on first a till you're getting good 1.5+ naps to prevent lo from getting OT with too much overall a increase.

also i noticed you've got a similar post on easy too would you like me to lock that topic so you can get all advice on one thread or lock this one and keep the easy one open?

[Eva's Mummy]

Yes please if you could lock the other one and keep this one open please x

[Aishi]

Ok thanks for letting me know x

[Eva's Mummy]

Well its not much but last night for the first time ever we had a lovely bedtime, she has a wee nap and woke up at 5:15 then we had a wee dance around the kitchen to some xmas songs, read a wee story, out her in her sleeping bag and daddy had 10 mins of kisses and cuddles. Bottle then bed. I put her in her cot and without any help from me she just put herself to sleep within 5 mins and did n't need re-settled all night.

She then woke at 6:40 and chatted to herself for 10 mins then fell back asleep without us going in un till 7:50

I think my wee angel is learning to sleep all by herself x

[Aishi]

That's fantastic! An early Xmas present for you

Just keep encouraging independan sleep like when u gt a chance but don't stress if she still needs help. It's a learning curve and takes time but well done you and baby Eva!

[Eva's Mummy]

Thanks,

This is the 2nd day i have tried a 2 hour A for the first thing in the morning, i am pushing her as she gets a bit cranky and harder to settle for her nap. I am getting a 30 min nap. I assume i keep going for a few more days, is this just her wee body trying to get used to the longer A time. Also after the short nap i reduce her next A time to 1hr 30 as she looks really tired but i am still only getting a 30 min nap here too.

Should i keep going as i am or should i change something a bit?

[Aishi]

Hmm 30 min are OT naps. Is she angel or textbook? If not it can be harder for them to cope with OT and I would only increase a time in 5 min increments so she can cope with OT better so tomorrow I would go for 1h50 and see how u get on for a few days...

[Eva's Mummy]

I'd say she was a touchy baby with part textbook. So i'll try 1hr 50 mins and if she 30 mins nap will i decrease the next A to 1hr 30 or a bit longer do you think.

Oh and Have a lovely christmas tomorrow xxxx

[Aishi]

Happy holidays to you too hon xx

I would reduce a time if lo is touchy to 1h50 for a few days and if you get a short nap then keep next a at 1h30 since you're getting OT naps at that a time with longer first a so should be ok with a shorter first at and a short nap iykwim?

Good luck x

[Eva's Mummy]

I'm stressing its all going wrong. Well apart from the fact that for all her naps today i have just put her in her cot given her her wee blanket and she has put herself to sleep.

But everything is all muddles up, her first nap was 40 mins then the second 30 mins the third 20 mins and she is napping now so we'll see. All these short naps are messing everthing up so sometimes her bottle is due when she is due a nap but she is too tired so wont take it all, or she will fall aslepp taking it but wont let me transfer her to the cot.

I can never seem to re-settle her when she wakes up no matter how long i try then she is tired again shortly after. As soon as i carry her into her room for a nap she starts crying as she knows i'm trying to put her down.

I can't get anything done in the house because when she is tired she needs attention, when i leave her for more than 5 mins she cries till i come back in the room and she can see me, i've not even managed a shower today   

She is a brilliant wee baby always full of smiles even when she is really tired and i feel i am failing her.

[Aishi]

Stranger anxiety can start at 4mo Dyt that could be affecting her. Maybe she just needs more daytime cuddles. Playing peek a boo can help with SA.

How old is lo now? Can u post your current easy? What's ur current a time? You were going to try 2h right? Your first nap is 40 min which can be OT or UT. If she's fighting u to sleep she could jut not be ready and need an a increase. The other naps would then be OT (although 20 min is classic discomfort) is that a possibility? Are u shortening a times after short naps to minimise OT?

Also don't worry about not following a strict easy easaeas once naps are sorted easy will fall into place...