P.u./p.d. for naps only? 5.5 mo

[GraceInCali]

Hi. we have a 5 mo that does not nap. We have been bouncing or nursing to sleep since birth and are interested in using pu/pd for naps. He used to nap for about 30 mins & we had been trying to extend w/ bouncing which wasn't really working but for the past couple weeks we can't even get him to sleep 30 mins. I'm ok with his night wakings - he needs the extra nursing sessions to help w/ weight gain, and is typically only waking once or twice.
My question is - can we start PU/PD for naps only and continue to nurse/ rock back to sleep at night until we get the naps corrected? Eventually would like to stop the bouncing for night sleep, though I'm not interested in cutting out nursing to sleep for the night feedings until more age appropriate.
Thanks for any advice!

[Scottishmummy]

Hi there and welcome to baby whisperer!

To answer your question, yes you can use PU/PD for naps only, daysleep is different to night sleep so you can sleep train day and nights separately.

Firstly though, could you post your baby's typical day in an EASY format e.g.
Wake up:7
E: 7
A: 2hrs
S: 9-9.30
Etc.
PU/PD is most effective when babies are doing a routine that suits their age, an overtired or undertired baby will take longer & be more difficult to get to sleep.

Secondly, have a read of this link..it's full of useful information on PU/PD..the why, when and how and frequently asked questions about it: Pick Up/Put Down (PU/PD) - Everything you ever needed to know!

Good luck, sleep training can be hard work but it's so worth the time and effort now for better sleep later xxx

[GraceInCali]

We don't have him on an EASY schedule due to the fact that we nurse on demand (we've has weight gain and supply issues) and he needs to nurse much more frequently than the EASY schedule allows.

We haven't been able to get our day into a predictable schedule because naps are so hard. I can take longer to put him down for a nap than the nap actually lasts. Naps are typically about 25 - 30 minutes. Sometimes we are able to go in and rock him back to sleep for an additional 20 or some minutes of nap. Only very occasionally are naps longer than 30 mins. This is the typical nap/ sleep schedule

4:30/5 am - wake and nurse in bed until 7am - typically falls back asleep
7am - wake for day
9am - start to put down for nap. Actual nap time about 30 mins
12pm - start to put down form nap.  Actual nap time about 30 mins
3:30pm - start to put down form nap.  Actual nap time about 30 mins
6pm - wind down & bottle time
6:30pm - nurse to sleep
7Pm - lay in crib for night
Wakes in the night between 10:30 and midnight to nurse and then about every 2/3 hours until 4:30/5am

[Scottishmummy]

Hi

I understand about the feeds, advice has changed since books were written and nursing on demand is now what is usually recommended.  You can still work a routine around feeding on demand.

How long is it taking to get him to go to sleep? Could you write actual time he fell asleep and woke? That helps to understand his pattern. 

Are you doing a wind down with him to get him ready for the nap?