4 Months & 4 Naps

[kristeno]

I got some help awhile back to help my son learn to sleep & it was SO HELPFUL! He's been sleeping fairly well (when his routine isn't interrupted) during the day & at night, taking 1.5-2.5 hr naps! More recently, he's been waking up 1-2 times every nap, but we've been working on that with WTS, with 50% success. When he wakes, he's pretty unhappy, so I know he needs the rest.

So where I need some help is how many naps. At 4 months old, he's still taking a nap every hour. His A time is only 1-1.25 hours, before he goes down again. I know it's possible he has higher sleep needs, but I just thought that was super high for his age. Is this typical? I know if I stretch it just a little, he'll likely be able to sleep longer for naps, but he gets so cranky & fussy, like he's tired. When I put him to bed, it takes less than 5 minutes for him to fall asleep! That tells me he's tired for a nap! Here's what we're working with:

WU/E: 8
A: 830
S: 9/915-1030/11 (1.5 hrs)

E: 1030
A: 11
S: 1130/1145-1/130 (1.5 hrs)

E: 130
A: 2
S: 230-4 (1.5 hrs)

E: 4
A: 430
S: 5/516-6 (45 min cat nap - normal, tank up feedings before bed)

E: 6
A: 630
S: 715 down for the night

NW: 930 eat 2 oz

NW: 12 eat 2-4 oz

NW: 230 eat 2-4 oz

NW: 630 eat 2-4 oz

WU: 745

It's got to be too many naps for him. His NW increasd from 2 to 4 in the last month. Do I just increase his awake time by 5 min & keep him busy?

[becj86]

More recently, he's been waking up 1-2 times every nap, but we've been working on that with WTS, with 50% success. When he wakes, he's pretty unhappy, so I know he needs the rest.

This may well be developmental but given his A times, its probably at least partly that he's undertired. I would definitely push his A times, average at just-turned 4 months is 2hr and actually, that's pretty solid, there's not as much variation at this age as there will be in even 2 more months' time. He is likely quite habituated to these short A times and tired by habit but I think if you increase his A times pretty sharply, say 15mins for 3-4 days, then by 15mins again, then just see how you go - it might be time for another increase by then.

When are the NWs?

A 2oz bottle seems small to me - is that how much he takes at a day feed?

[kristeno]

Oh wow, 2 hours? I never would have guessed that long - probably because I didn't realize he could be tired by habit! That makes so much sense!!

I listed the NWs at the bottom of the day, they're approx at 930pm, 12a, 230, 630. He was only waking 2 times, but it's increasd fairly quickly.

No! He usually takes 4-6 oz, which is how I know he's not hungry when he wakes, he just wants to nurse because that's what he usually does when he wakes at night.

[becj86]

So you're offering more but he's not taking it? If so, I think once the day is a bit more sorted with longer A times, the NWs should resolve given time.