How does EASY change with 6 mo and older?

[Missy Lou]

My lo is 22 weeks.  I'm assuming at about 6 months and then after that, her EASY will change - both activity time and nap time/sleep time.

What are the average activity time and then nap time and sleeping at night time for 6 months and older?
Thanks guys.

[*Natasha*]

Hi Mlee,

Yes at 6months activity time can change and with the introduction of solids alot of babies can go 4.5/5hrs between feeds. Alot of babies can handle 2.5-3hrs at this age and are looking at slowly dropping the late afternon cat nap. What does your current routine look like? I am happy to help you tweak it if you need help 

[Missy Lou]

E:  7 a.m.  formula and a tablespoon of pears
A:  7-9
S: 9 - 10:15

A:  10:15-11
E:  11
A:  11-12:15
S:  12:15-2:45

A:  2:45-3
E:  3
A:  3-4:45
S:  4:45-5:30

A:  5:30-6:30
E:  6:30 formula and pears
S: 7

DF:  10

It's off a bit now because she'll only sleep 1.5 hours in the morning.  I've tried doing less nap time during the day but she gets really cranky and her eyes stay red (a definite sign she's still tired).  So I don't think she'll be able to get by on less sleep and more A time yet but I want to be prepared for when she does.  So any suggestions on this routine now or how to begin tweaking in the next few weeks would be great.
Thanks.

[*Natasha*]

This routine looks great do you want to drop the late nap or are you wanting to get her to sleep longer in the morning?

[Missy Lou]

Well right now I don't think I can drop any naps because she seems a little cranky if she doesn't get the 4.5 hours of nap time.  But when she is ready to drop a nap, I'd rather drop the catnap.  What's the easiest way to do that, do you think?

[*Natasha*]

Slowly extend her awake time either by 5-15mins over a few days you will probably need to spend that extra time distracting her until she is use to the longer awake time. My DD was never able to have a long awake time in the morning but when she started taking a long time to fall asleep at naps and bedtime and her naps started getting shorter i knew it was time to drop the cat nap. This is what out day looked like after dropping the catnap:

7am - Wake Bottle
8am - Breakfast
9.30am - Sleep 1.5-2hrs
12pm - Lunch
1pm - Bottle
2pm - Sleep 1.5hrs
5pm - Dinner (at 6months)
6pm - Bath
6.30pm - Bottle
7pm - Bed for the night

However your DD has a shorter morning nap and longer afternoon nap so you could try this:

E:  7 a.m.  formula and a tablespoon of pears
A:  7-9
S: 9.30- 11

E:  11 then when you introduce lunch have it at 11.30/12
A:  12-1/1.30
S:  1/1.30- 3.30

E:  3.30
A:  3:30-6:30 Maybe a bath here.
E:  6:30 formula and pears
S: 7

DF:  10

Hope this helps and answers your question.

[Missy Lou]

that's awesome.  thank you for the help.  i'll probably start changing her routine in the next few days.