short awake time

[brightside]

My DS's routine gets off to a bad start from the off because he gets tired after just an hour and a quarter after his first feed (7am). His nap is then about 45mins (but usually wakes up happy) meaning that he is next getting tired (he can then last about 1 1/2 hours-2 hours) when he is due for his next feed-at 11am. He is 10 weeks (weighs 12 lb) and I had to move him to a 4 hour schedule because he was losing interest in his food every 3 hours. He is much better on 4 hours. How do I increase this first awake time without him getting overtired and being difficult to get to sleep? He often resists going to sleep even though I act very quickly on his sleep signs. Thanks for any help.

[Meg's Mom]

Hi

I am sorry you are having troubles.  First let me say excellent job on getting your LO on EASY, that it self is not easy (pun intented ;-)

How do I increase this first awake time without him getting overtired and being difficult to get to sleep? He often resists going to sleep even though I act very quickly on his sleep signs

  This really difficult, so i understand why you are having trouble.  If you are on 4hr EASY and 45min naps, feeds and naps will collide at some point in the day.  So your schedule will look more like EASY, AS - EASY...  To answer your question, i don't think you can increase is A time at this age.  He is just too young. 

he can then last about 1 1/2 hours-2 hours

that sounds really long for a 10 wk old, this long A time could be contributing to the 45min naps.  I would think 1.15 tops would be appropriate for his age.

Also for those short naps:
-do you swaddle
-use white noise
-try to extend these naps w/ either wake to sleep or pat/shh?

I am sorry i don't have a direct answer for your question.  It sounds like you are doing a great job but he isn't ready for longer A times yet.  Wait until he is 3-4mos.

Hope this helps some 

[brightside]

Thank you for your reply. I've come to the conclusion that I will just have to grin and bear it until he can stay awake a bit longer. his 45 minute naps aren't really a problem because he is happy when he wakes from them. I just hope he isn't getting into bad habits. I do swaddle but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Thanks anyway.