Help with 6 month old 45 min nap

[RachelC]

Ok, I thought we had Jalyn figured out, but apparently not totally.  Here goes:
7am wake, bf
8am (or so) solids
8:30, or as late as 9:30 nap - this also depends on day since Mon, Wed, Fri we leave the house for dd1.  Mon and Wed we come right home for nap but Fri we stay out until 10:30  *
10:30-11 wake, bf - she will do this nap most days
this is the tricky part.  today she was probably overtired when I put her down at 12:15 (she was up at 10:30).  Sometimes she is yawning after only an hour.  She slept 45 and dh (bless his heart) is doing all he can to extend for the last hour (not sure what he's doing now, but it's quiet)
2-2:30-3 wake, bf (depending on last feed time)
4 or 4:30 sometimes catnap
5:30 solids and bf
6:30-7 bath/bed
10:30 df sleep to morning

*Should we get her down at first yawn even if it's only been an hour or 1:15?

Our wind down is diaper change, white noise, music, swaddle, light out, sit in rocker and sing until heavy eyes.  Sometimes she falls asleep while whining and it's everything I can do to get her to acknowledge that I am putting her down... I think this happens mostly when she's overtired.

Any help/suggetions would be appreciated.

Thanks
~Rachel

[Colesmom]

Hi-At 6 months she should be able to handle more than an hour or hour fifteen.  She may just be bored and could get a second wind.  IF she is that tired I would recommend extending her A time gradually as she should be able to stay up two hours at this age, especially since she's sleeping so well at night.

Was that your only Q, about the yawning after an hour?

[RachelC]

Ok, so I guess my question is, what do I do with her when she reaches that 1:15-1:30 mark when she just cannot handle being awake anymore?  Nothing I do makes her happy (change of scenery, just holding her, just sitting and singing or a book...).  Then she takes a 45 minute nap.  Should I try to get her back down for more?
This problem is not new, but I think she may also be growth sputing now too.  Today she I woke her at 7:10 and bf.  8:00 solids.  8:40 out the door.  9:15 home, nap by 9:30.  Awake at 10:15 (maybe when we get home we should play first?)  she was happy and unswaddled herself.  10:40 bf. 11:10 out the door.  11:45 home.  12:50 went up for nap, wound up bf.  1:10 nap and now I'm crossing my fingers.  She had more awake time and now a full belly.

~Rachel

[Colesmom]

Yes, if she is that tired after only 1:30 then try to extend her nap either using wake to sleep or pat shush.  I still recommend pushing A time out very slowly...even in 5 minute increments every few days so that she can get accustomed to it.

I'm not sure what age it started with my DS, but if he's in a car seat or stroller right before nap he is hard to get to sleep.  Seems he needs to burn a little energy beforehand so that could be it with you DD too.

[RachelC]

Thanks Traci.
We made it to 1:15 nap right now, but dd1 may have woken her (I had to go up and down the steps past dd2's room )  We have tried wake to sleep and tried pat/shh in the past, but she just stares at us.  We have had some success with pu/pd, I think that's more her style.  All of these techniques get so much harder when there's a 3.5 year old asking "can I have some attention".
Jalyn does fall asleep on the way home from dropping off at preschol (no big sis to keep her up) and maybe getting up for a little will help, but I can't let her sleep forever since we have to pickup from preschool then.  Still searching for the balance!  Oh well, only 2 more months.
Thanks
~Rachel

[Colesmom]

Rachel-I can pretty much guarantee that it's the little catnap in the car that's ruining your nap!  If my DS sleeps even 5 min. in the car he won't nap at the proper time.  I suggest doing all you can to prevent it, turn up the music, sing, clap and open the windows!

I can't relate personally to dealing with two kids but to be honest, can't even imagine how one would do the BW techniques while caring for another child.  I'm sure it's very hard.

Someone here (stacey I think) recommended a box of special toys or special DVD that your DD could watch when you need to do sleep training. Do you think that could work?

[RachelC]

Traci-
Yeah, I know the catnap is no good.  But it's the afternoon nap I am more concerned about.
Dd1 is pretty good, usually.  The hardest time is when dd2's nap happens at lunch time, then she winds up eating by herself.  I just feel guilty.  Dd1 is an angel baby/toddler/preschooler and super independent.  It's more my own guilt about leaving her to eat by herself or play by herself once again.  It has gotten a whole lot better than it was in the beginning!