Someone have a look and seee what you think please

[NiknLily]

Hi
We was doing just fine thought I'd got it sussed, then of course DD (20weeks) changes it all round just to keep mummy on her toes.  The problem is 2nd & 3rd nap.  We are currently on 3.5hr EASY which goes like this in theory

7am wake feed
8.45 bed
10.30 wake feed
12.00 bed
2.00 wake feed
3.30 bed
5.30 wake feed
7.00 bed

However were now getting more like this
7am wake feed
8.45 bed
10.30 wake feed
12.00 bed
1-1.15 wakes up early
2.00 feed
3.00-3.15 bed as she is seroiusly tired from not getting full nap and being awake so long
3.45-4.00 wakes up early
5.30 feed
7.00pm bed

So in total shes only getting 3.25-3.5 hrs total nap time during the day, she isn't too much bother going to bed fusses for a while then settles down and doesn't stir till DF at 10.30.  The trouble is her A time in the morning is so short for her age I cant stretch her to a 4hr routine and in the afternoons I think she has too much A time as by bath time in the evening she's one charged up little bunny she gets almost manic in her excited state.

I've tried using PU/PD for a couple of days running now and it just doesn't seem to work, although it works a charm if for example she wakes after 45mins at bed time 2 PU/PD's and she settles back to sleep, I dont think she's actually crying in the afternoon its more like a demanding mantra, if she does get upset and really cry's then PU/PD works to calm her but then she'll just look up at me laugh and blow a raspberry at me, at which point I generally give in, during the process she will try to get to sleep but when that doen't happen quick enough for her we just start all over again with the demanding mantra, it like she just yells out and screams to get me to come to her, once I'm there she just wants to engage me.

Am I stressing over nothing or is there something we can do to the routine to help get it a little more reliable as I work from home and previously was the main breadwinner so I really need to know that I'm going to get roughly X amount of time to myself during the day so that I can work.

Any ideas Please....
Nik

[rebecaq]

Hello

For the most part I think your dd has a pretty good routine, except the nap that concerns you.  Have you popped over to the nap boards to see how to extend this nap.  Although you did give one VERY important clue :

but then she'll just look up at me laugh and blow a raspberry at me, at which point I generally give in, during the process she will try to get to sleep but when that doen't happen quick enough for her we just start all over again with the demanding mantra, it like she just yells out and screams to get me to come to her, once I'm there she just wants to engage me.

PU/PD works when you are consistent and don't "give in".  Everytime we give in to them it's a step backwards.  PU/PD takes a lot of commitment and most parents who say "It doens't work" are the parents who, as you said above, give in.

Sounds to me like her routine is pretty good and she's having more of a nap problem than an EASY problem. 

HTH

- Beca

[NiknLily]

Thanks, re-posted message over in NAPS and today there advice has worked superb.

[rebecaq]

YAY!!! I'm so glad!

- Beca