Can't keep 4 hours routine because short naps

[sisi1986]

My daughter is almost 21 weeks old now, and we started the 4 hours routine about 2 weeks ago after reading the baby whisperer book.

Before that there was no routine at all.

For the last few days it seems that she got used to sleeping 1.5-2 hours in the morning nap, but in the 2nd nap she always wakes up after 15-30 minutes, and I can't put her back to sleep.

She cries a lot, and PU/PD and the other methods don't seem to help. With about an hour and a half until the next feed it seems like forever.

I keep her in her crib for as long as I can.

Seldom she's calm and talks to herself when she wakes up.

The same happens on the 3rd nap, except I don't insist on keeping her in the crib since that nap's supposed to be a short one.

Please, can you advise?

[lolsyb1982]

Hi there

Could you post your day for me in the EAS format so I can get the full picture of A times etc as that will really help to see what could be tweaked.

Usually waking around the 20/30 min mark is OT but we can chat through more once I can see your schedule.

Thanks

[sisi1986]

Thank you. I'll write the past 2 days:

Thursday
5:55 WU
6:30 E
7:00 A
8:40-10:50 S
10:55 E
11:20 A
12:45-13:25 S
14:25 E
14:45 A
15:55-16:25 S
16:40 E
17:00 A
18:30 E
19:00 put in bed
19:40 fell asleep
23:00 DF

Friday
7:00 WU
7:10 E
7:30 A
9:30 -11:20 S
11:25 E
11:45 A
13:20 - 13:50 S
15:15 E
15:40 A
17:15 - 17:50 S
17:55 E
18:15 A
19:00 E
19:20 put in bed
20:20 fell asleep
23:00 DF

[lolsyb1982]

I notice your first A is 2hr 40 but your 2nd is only 2hrs? I would imagine he would need around the 2hr 40 again, some LO need a slightly longer A before they're ready for the 2nd nap.

Could you try for similar to see if he sleeps longer?

[sisi1986]

Thanks, I'll try this. But should I try this even if she shows signs of tiredness? I didn't mention that I wrote the time she fell asleep, I put her in bed when I see signs of tiredness and it can take 10-30 mins until she fall asleep. Every time she cries in bed but sometimes she plays a little bit in bed and after a few mins cries.

[lolsyb1982]

At this age tiredness signs aren't so reliable and can often mean they just need a change of activity or scenery.
I would try the same A to see how she does. I think Tracy says in the book it can take around 20 mins to fall asleep but if she's crying and playing it could mean she's not quite ready to be put down and maybe instead you could just do something really low key like sit and look at a book or just walk around the house with her for a bit so she's winding down.