My son Jack is just about to turn 9 months old, and up until the last month or so he's taken 30 - 40 minute naps regularly and he's been fine. Always awoke happy, and slept well at night. About the last month or so, though, it has become obvious these short naps weren't cutting it anymore and I've decided it's time to correct the problem.
So, we're on day 17. Feels like day 70. EVERY nap has been in his crib and EVERY nap (just about) has involved intervention on my part after about 30 - 45 minutes. I have had maybe 3 or 4 good naps, the longest lasting 1.5 hours without a peep. I actually felt like I was seeing progress because I did get two days in a row of "good" naps, and it was getting much easier to get him back to sleep if he woke up too early.
This week, however, has been horrific. Starting Sunday, we had a birthday party we couldn't miss that was during his afternoon nap. He slept 30 minutes on the way and 30 minutes on the way home, and since that day he's been a mess again, only going 30 minutes and yesterday it took me an HOUR to get him back to sleep, and by then we were both crying
.
If he misses one day will that get him back into the old habit every time? I know Tracy says to try to stay home for two weeks, and that is what I did - and just one day threw him off completely. Will there come a point where I no longer have to intervene almost every time and help? If not, I'm not sure it's worth the trouble (and the aching back!). Like I said, I definitely saw progress, but now I feel like I'm starting from square one. VERY discouraging. I keep telling myself it's a 9 month old habit that is going to take longer than a couple weeks to break, but am I kidding myself??
Please just tell me I won't be doing this forever, and someday he'll actually just sleep through 1.5 hours on a regular basis!!
