30 minute naps

[Carmela's Mom]

Can someone refresh my memory?  I know 45 mins usually means overtired.  Does 30 mins mean the same or does it mean not enough "A" time?  My son (11.5 months old) started taking 30 min naps and I really don't know why and I'm not sure if he needs more A time or less. 

The 30 min nap in the morning isn't that bad because I like him to take a longer pm nap anyway!  I wanted to add, that he did wake up crying, but was smiling as soon as he saw me and isn't crabby now.

One more thing, because he's not getting a good nap in the morning, what should I do about afternoon nap?  I know 3.5 is normal for afternoon nap at his age, but should I try earlier because of his 30 min morning nap or still try at 3.5???

Thanks

[KathrynK]

At this age 45mins often means undertired, and 30 mins means overtired!
But it sounds like you have started the transition from 2-1 naps and so a shorter am nap is usual to ensure a good pm nap.
As for the A time between naps, that really varies hugely from lo to lo. My dd can go like a train for 4 hrs on a 30 min nap. But there are mums here whose lo's can only last 2.5hrs on a 30min nap before getting OT. I think i depends on how the PM nap goes. If he takes a good long (1.5hr) nap after 3.5hrs A time then sounds just fine. if he takes a 30min nap and wakes crying chances are his A time is too long and you could try 3hrs or even less. If he takes ages to go to sleep or fights it then you need to extend his A time to more than 3.5hrs.
hth

[NiknLily]

Hi
Just thought I would add, that although as PP said all LO's are different, My DD can still only go 3hrs in am before first nap then can go 3.75hrs before pm nap after which she can only go 3.15hrs before bed, so I agree perhaps shorten his first A time.  It does look like maybe the start of the 2-1 nap switch, I am trying to hold this off for as long as possible by juggling A times and nap times, I think for that one the older they are the better.