Almost every nap, Rylan wakes up after one sleep cycle (45 minutes). Sometimes I can get him back down and he will stay for another hour and other times, he won't go back to sleep. It drives me crazy and I feel like I can never get anything done! I have done the whole being in his room when he naturally wakes up trying to get him back to sleep or letting him cry or picking him up nursing him again and starting the whole process over again. If I get lucky he will nap up to 2 hours but most of the time its just three 45 minute naps which to me is not enough! Please any suggestions would be great!
A.
One thing that really helped my daughter to sleep longer was to actually put her down a little earlier for her nap. If she only slept for one cycle that usually meant she was overtired. So I would try 10-15 minutes earlier and she would sleep much longer. I know it sounds almost counterintuitive, I wouldn't have believed it either if I didn't experience it myself! Good luck!
Maybe he doesn't need the 3rd nap anymore. If you can keep him up playing a little longer in the morning and then again in the afternoon maybe both those naps will stretch out and become longer. ??? maybe???? Good luck and keep enjoying that wonderful baby!
I had the same issue with my first daughter once she turned 5 months old. "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child" by Weissbluth was recommended to me, and two kids later it is still beside my glider as I refer to it anytime one of my kids has any kind of sleep issue. I am happy to report that I have three great sleepers (and nappers) ages 1, 3 & 4 and I believe it's mostly due to what I learned from that book!
Good Luck!!
A. ... I was in the same boat with you when my son would not nap long. At one point, I even had to hold him just for him to fall asleep on his own and I was lucky if I could put him down without waking him up. Sometimes his naps would have to be in our bed and with us lying right next to him. Let me just tell you, it will get better. He went through the one sleep cycle too and I so, like you, wanted him to sleep longer. I envied people whose children would take long naps but I can't compare my son to others and you can't either. Just be happy with what you have going so far because there are some that don't get what you have. Also, don't let it drive you crazy. I know, it's easier said then done because like I said, I've gone through it. I mean, I envy you if you're able to get him to nape for up to 2 hours. My son right now, I am so happy when he is even able to do it. I'm just happy getting one hour out of him. Also, what is his sleep schedule like anyways?? How often are you keeping him awake between naps. My son has a nap at around 9am and then another nap at around 2pm. I'm lucky if his first nap, he sleeps for an hour and then his 2nd nap, he usually does over 2 hours. Also, what kind of setting are you creating when it comes to his nap times?? Does he have a lovey (soothing toy that he always naps with) because my son does and so I'm guessing it gives him the cue like "Oh, it's nap time and I'll be all right now that I have my blankie/lovey, with me." Just some things to think about. Hang in there though!
I hear ya, girl! My daughter is the same way still, and she was born in October. Really, there isn't much you can do. Accepting it is the first step to getting over the frustration. Once you realize that's just how your little one is, and you are not doing anything wrong, you will start to adjust. And yes, I too am so tired of hearing how my friends' babies sleep for 2-3 hours at a time during the day!
Hi A.,
My daughter was the same way. She never took long naps as an infant and I would get so frustrated. As she got older she started to fall into a routine, she would go about 2 hours then nap, etc... and eventually she started to stretch her naps out as she got older. Hang in there, I know its frustrating. Don't worry about getting all those things done, just enjoy this special time you have with your son becaus they grow so fast! All those things will still be there but you can't get back the time with your baby! It will get better!
Hi A..
I'm sorry for your dilema, however, as long as he's sleeping well at night, I think that 3 naps of 45 minutes is perfectly normal for a baby his age. I know it's hard, just try to get as much done as you can during his naps, but take some rest for yourself then too. It will help you not feel so frazzled when he does wake up. It will get better! Best of luck!
Hi, A.,
I have a three month old and he is also very similar. It is what it is! You can't really MAKE them sleep longer if that is all that they are needing. My three month old may occasionally sleep for 2-3 hours at a stretch, but mostly it is 30-60 minutes at any given time and then maybe even 10 minute catnaps throughout the afternoon, so it never really feels like he sleeps at all from around 3 PM until 10 PM. I just put him on his play gym and he plays there for a while and then I move him to a bouncer and then to his swing. That is how I survive. I have a three year old as well, so I can't just hold my little one all the time. Most of the day he has to just hang out on his own. I would suggest the same for you if you need to get things done. Just put him somewhere where you can see him, but where he can entertain himself (such as a baby play gym on the floor) and then do what you need to do. Put some music on for him. Or let him play in a play pen. My baby cries all evening about once a week, because all he wants is to be held, but I can only give him 10 minutes at a time, since I have to cook dinner, feed my three year old, etc., etc. and I am alone in the evenings since my husband works then. So my three year old and I just have to learn to listen to my baby cry some nights and just keep talking to him and holding him intermittently. Most other days, though, he is really good. Don't get discouraged that your baby doesn't sleep for longer than 45 minutes. His patterns will change over time and for now, just try to figure out how to get things done even when he is awake. They don't need 100% of your attention just because they are awake. Both of my boys learned to deal with me working from home on the computer from birth. Now my three year old is very independent and my 3 month old is, too, when it comes to playing without me there. Good luck and enjoy this time!
sometimes that is all they need. my son is the same way. one thing i do that almost ALWAYS works when he wakes up soon after going down is i lay down with him and nurse and he pretty much always falls back asleep. if he doesn't that tells me he is done sleepin!
good luck!
Are you nursing him to sleep most of the time? If he is used to being nursed to sleep than he may not know how to put himself back to sleep. He needs to learn to self-soothe and this may involve a little crying in the beginning, but the end result will be longer naps.
I hate to say it (because I know it's not what you want to hear!) but your little one sounds perfectly normal. Some babies still sleep a lot at 6 months and others are more active...from my own personal experience, I think your lucky he still sleeps as much as he does :)
The feeling of "never getting anything done" may be with you for longer than you think (I still struggle with it even though my kids are 15, 12 and 9) so you need to relax and be flexible, otherwise you will make yourself crazy. Most importantly, make sure you take some time during the week for yourself, probably most easily done in the evening when your husband's home. Go for a walk, meet a girlfriend for a drink, get a manicure...anything that helps you relax and recharge.
Good luck!
p.s. Nap with your child as much as you can: I know it sounds crazy, but you will feel so much better and you will ultimately get more done!
Yup, this is was and is our little boy. We did, however, get him to sleep an hour nap by being right there when he woke up from his first cycle (30 minutes, it was like clock work) and then just nursed or rocked him right back down, so he barely had a chance to wake up. After a while he ended up just sleeping for the whole hour, still like clockwork. Almost to the minute. Some babies will just nap that long only.
How many naps does he take? Unforntunately many babies dont nap for hours at a time. My mo0m said with me and my brother, she just had to let us take our 20-50 minute naps whenever and wherever we did. My sister on the other hand took two 2 hour naps. When a child is 6 months, one should expect to not get anything done. This is why work a ome moms usually ned to get a babysitter to work, even when they are home all day. But rocking can help them sleep longer. That is why so many cultures just strap their kids to their backs and work.
I was told by my pediatrician, when my daughter was that age that i should nap with her, no matter how tempting it was to "do something" because the napping helped me be well rested to deal with the fact that I wouldnt really be able to "do anything". There are some folks who successfully train babies, but it usually means a lot of crying and sometimes damage to the relationship. Just my 2 cents.
My best advice is to try to follow you childs rythm. After a while it will work into a couple naps at the times that is best for the baby (dont try to determine when the naps should be). At around 6 months mine worked into taking 2 solid naps in the late morning and mid afternoon.
Hi A.,
You didn't mention what his daily sleep schedule is like but it sounds like he may be overtired and having a hard time staying asleep. It also sounds like he hasn't developed self-soothing skills. What is your routines for naps and bedtime? Are you nursing him to sleep or putting him down drowsy but awake? My daughter's schedule at this age was wake up at 6:30-7am, morning nap at 9am, afternoon nap at 1pm and bedtime at 6pm. By this age she wasn't waking very often at night, maybe once or twice a month but I didn't respond unless she didn't settle down within 5-10 mins. If you want to email me with your normal schedule I would L. to help you find out what you could adjust. I am a HUGE fan of Dr. Marc Weissbluth, he has extensive experience is sleep and sleep disorders. I don't really consider it sleep "training" as much as helping establish healthy sleep habits using the biological sleep rhythms. That is what Dr. Weissbluth teaches. Feel free to email me!
Sincerely,
L.
A.,
i have no idea but if you get any good suggestions i'd love to hear them! my boy was born end of october last year and he does the exact same thing at naps unless i nap with him, which i sometimes do in the morning since he doesn't sleep well at night either! but b/c he doesn't get enough sleep (i think) during the day, he is grumpier than he would otherwise be. he's such a sweetie when he's better rested, i'd love to know how to lengthen his naps. they are also about 30 - 45 minutes long and i never get anything done either!
good luck,
K.
Considering that some babies nap less than yours, I would count my blessings, if I were you!! All children are individuals and our control over them is limited! Babies don't nap so moms can get something done! They nap to obtain the rest they need! It is good to encourage your baby to establish routines that match your own routine. It is also helpful to recognize that it's not all about you anymore. As your baby gets older, he will require less one-on-one and you will have more time to get "something done". From 1-3 is very labor intensive for parents...but, it's not forever (though it may feel like it some days). Be consistent, yet flexible. It will help you to deal with the here and now and have fewer regrets in the long run. It is no joke that the days seem endless, but the years fly by. I am a 52 y.o. soon-to-be grandma. I have facilitated a one-night-a-week parenting class for 7 years. I also work full-time as a sp.ed. aide and have a social work degree.
Hello A.,
Please notice, you never mentioned anything about how Rylan feels, you only say that you don't think he sleeps enough because you are about to go "crazy" and you want to get things done. Easy enough to understand that you would like to get things done. However, depending on how Rylan acts, three 45 naps might be just right for him and you might as well get used to doing things while he is awake. Sounds like he is adjusting his schedule to fit him. I'm happy that you are nursing him and it really sounds like you are a great mom. I'm a mother of three grown sons. It seems to me I didn't get much of anything done besides the necessities while they were young, so I decided to go with the flow and enjoyed my boys. Children only stay young for a short time and the memories you create while being with them, beat a spotless house any time.
Wishing you much you with your little one.
S. in bakersfield
Our daughter did the same thing. She would only sleep 30-45 minutes at a time. We tried all sort of tricks but nothing worked. She finally started taking great naps at about 8 months old. She started to sleep well at night then too. In a few months, I bet Rylan will find his own sleep patern and start to sleep better. Good luck!
All babies are different. You just have to hang in there and accept the fact that he doesn't sleep longer than 45 minutes at the time. And, no, you don't get anything done in the house when they are that small...just accept it and have your husband take the baby when he comes home so that you can do things in the house etc.
