5 month naps - can't get over 40mins

[Mum2lucy]

Hi!

I'm looking for help with my 5 month old lg. her naps are all over the shop and this forum has helped me before.

She will go down for a nap ok. A bit of crying but normally settles herself down independently. However for a while now I can't get her to sleep longer than 40mins. She is now waking at night more but I feel it is related to poor day sleep so I am keen for her naps to be longer. When she wakes at 40mins she is still tired. I am not keen to do pu/pd as she has medicated reflux. I have tried shhh patt which works for settling initially for naps but not to extend them. The second she sees me she thinks it is time to party. Therefore I find it hard to extend naps.

Today's easy was:

Rise 6.45
E 6.50
A 7
S 9.10 - 9.50 (tried to extend with no success)

E 10.05
A 10.10
S 11.50 - 12.20 (a was started in pram and she fell asleep)

A 12.20 - 13.50
E 13.50
A 14.00
S 14.45 - 15.20 (sleep in pram on way back from being out)

E 15.20
A 15.25
S 17.25 (short 15mibs cat nap to get through to bedtime)

E 18.40
S 18.50 bed for the night

Any suggestions to help with naps? I am not sure if I am getting the 'a' wrong. I follow tired signs and try to keep her a wee bit after the signs to try and ensure she is tired but it doesn't seem to be making a difference. Perhaps it's developmental?
I'd be grateful for any advice
Thanks

[lhanson7251]

I have no advice just tagging along bc we have the same problem!  It's maddening!!!!

[Mum2lucy]

Oh I know! So frustrating. I'm now even getting 30 min naps as I try to work out a decent 'a' time to try and fix the naps.
Hopefully someone on here can give us advice!

[Mum2lucy]

Can anybody help please?!?
Thanks

[lily_layne]

Sorry that your post was missed. I think she may be ready for a bit more A time. What about trying 2h45 minutes for a few days?

[Mum2lucy]

Thanks for replying. I did 2hr 45 this morning and I got this

E 7.10
A 7.20 - 9.45
S 9.45 - 10.20 (then woke and I went in and said key phrase) then she slept 10.35 - 11.05

It was two half hour chunks. I don't know why she won't sleep longer than the 30min chunks. I tried pu PD last night as she kept waking and she responded to it. However how do I do that during the day if she isn't crying? She doesn't really cry when she wakes from naps but I can tell she would sleep more as she yawns and if I picked her up and fed her, she would sleep again. (I'm breastfeeding)

Do you do pu PD the same if they aren't crying?

Thanks
Gillian

[lily_layne]

I did reply to your post a few days ago but just saw the my response didn't post! I'm sorry.

I would try 2h45 minutes for a few days to see what happens. It can take 3-4 days for the nap to lengthen. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do if LO isn't crying. I would just leave her in her crib to play on her own for a bit before going to get her.

[Mum2lucy]

Thanks.
What do I do if she is showing tired signs before that at like 2hrs 20mins. I'm getting rubbing eyes and trying to comfort feed on me to sleep. Do I just ignore these and try push through to 2.45?
Thanks

[lily_layne]

Do you think she'll take a good nap after 2h20? If you're not sure, I would try it once or twice to see what happens.

[Mum2lucy]

No I don't think she'll sleep as long at 2hr 20mins. I have been pushing through to 2hrs 45mins and yesterday I got a 1hr 25min nap so I'll keep trying to push it to 2.45

[lily_layne]

That's great. I would stay around whatever time gives you a 1h25 minute nap. That's long enough to restorative.