Question about ssh/Pat/PU/PD

[SleeplessSam]

I may have just figured out what I'm doing wrong.  In the last few weeks we've put DD on EASY and got her transitioned from swing naps to crib naps as well as night wakings every three hours to sleeping through the night.  However...we hit a brick wall with nap length.  Usually what happens is she sleeps 40-45 mins and then wakes SCREAMING.  I go in and pat to try and calm her (the shush make sher more nutty and PU/PD turns her into the devil).  About 30% of the time she'll fall back asleep and 50% of that she'll stay asleep for another cycle.  It's working less and less as time goes on.  I originally did the same thing when she woke in the night...but now I'm thinking that in the day I've made myself a prop.  I tend to go in and stay until she's back to sleep.  If she isn't back to sleep and still screaming an hour later (which is usually the case) then I take her out and we keep our EASY routine going.  I stand there the entire hour.  I don't go in until she's quite upset in hopse she'll go back to sleep and I have tried wake to sleep which kept her calm inthe crib longer but didn't change anything...so...after all of that babbling....should I be leaving the room?  When should I leave?  If she's doing the wa-wa-wa should I leave?  Should I be moving out of her line of sight?  I thought maybe it worked in the night because I go in in the dark and she doesn't see me, just feels my hand.  DD is 6 months and on a 4 hour EASY.
Thanks!!!

[Colesmom]

hi there-are you rushing in right away when she wakes?  you may want to give her a minute or two to see if she settles back herself.  I went in today after a 45 min. nap too soon and regretted it as I assumed DS was standing but he was lying down and I think he may have settled himself.

Also, is DD able to stand in the crib yet, or sit up?  If so, you don't do the PU part, just the PD part.  Wait for DD to sit or stand up then gently lay her back down.  Instead of shhhhing since it bothers her (starts to bother babies after 6 months), use reassuring words, "it's okay, time for sleep".

And yes, if she is doing a "mantra" cry (settling cry) and not an all out need me cry then you leave her.  At the very least, move away so she can't see you.  I find my DS often gets distracted by my presence. 

Lastly, how long is she awake before naps?  Please post your approx. routine.  She may be ready to be awake longer and that will make her tired enough to sleep longer than 45 min.

[Sylvia.]

just wanted to post this as encouragement, you seem to be doing a great job, i remember this time so clearly, hang-in you will get there, traci has raised some important question

[SleeplessSam]

Hi!  Thanks for the response.  Here was my day yesterday...

6:15 wake/eat
6:30 A
7:15 Solids
7:30 A
8:10 quiet A
8:20 nap
9:00 awake pu/pd/pat with no more sleep
10:00 eat
10:15 A
12:00 quiet A
12:10 nap
12:55 awake pu/pd/pat
1:40 eat
2:00 A
3:40 quiet A
4:00 catnap
4:30 eat (cluster feeding begins)
4:45 A
5:30 dinner
6:00 quiet A
6:45 final feed
7:00 bath/stories
7:30 bed