i'm probably not the best to give advice/suggestions (as we only had our first 2 successful nap days yesterday and the day before) but here is what i did. (probably the biggest thing is that i FINALLY found a pacifier he will take...at 5 months, lol).
i started putting him down earlier than usual (i usually wait for the first sleep sign which sometimes wasn't coming before 3 or even 4 hours awake (not good!) so yesterday morning, he woke at 7:30 and i started quiet time (books) at 9:15, took him upstairs at 9:30, read another book, sang quietly, swaddled him, gave paci (woohoo) and laid him down ~ he was out by 10:05. we also struggle(ed??) w/ 30 minute naps, so i went up at 10:30 ~ before he stirred, i put the paci in (he spits it out when asleep) he kind of fought it...and i thought he'd wake up (before i just put my hand on him and when he moved i thought that was good enough...not) anyway, this was definitly more intrusive on his sleep than just putting my hand on his chest. well, he briefly opened his eyes then started sucking and fell back asleep. i stayed w/ him and saw him jolt again at 45 minutes but he put himself back to sleep. for the afternoon, i think we waited too long and he only slept for 45 minutes, so today i'm gonna really try to get him down way BEFORE i normally would. does that make sense? like you, my son was waking up VERY happy after most 30 minute naps....talking, smiling, etc. (and waking after 30 minutes in the car, stroller, etc.) i finally saw (on sunday) that he would (and could) sleep for TWO hours when i held him, so i knew he needed more. we are still working on it...maybe some days he needs more than others? (we still have night wakings...working on that now). anyway, sorry this was so long ~ but my suggestions, try quiet time WAY before nap time (for the afternoon, i just layed him on a blanket on the floor...tv off while dh and i had a quiet lunch) and try laying him down earlier than usual....also, try to catch that 1st stir before it happens and be a little more aggressive w/ it (i know it's scary to actually WAKE them when the are finally sleeping!). GOOD LUCK!
