Naps Not Lasting More than 20 Minutes

with my 3 kids i would play the same CD for them everytime it was bed time it helped them to get into the routine that when that music came on it was time to sleep. it also helped to drown out other noises that he may hear that keep him awake ...

DO NOT get Ezzo's book unless you can stomach listening to your baby scream and willfully not respond. He teaches letting baby "cry it out" which means that you are not to respond to baby's needs when a need arises. Baby eventually will not trust that his needs will be met, won't trust that you will respond to him when he needs you and thus feel, "Whats the point" and he will give up trying to communicate. Instead try reading the "No Cry Sleep Solution." It's a much more gentler type of parenting. Also, who's to say that this baby is just wired for less sleep? Every baby sleeps, naps, eats, crawls, talks, etc... on their own time clock. This may be normal for your baby. While true, it's hard to get anything done when babe won't sleep much, but thats ok! This is your time to bond and rest with him. Curl up on the loveseat to nurse and just enjoy your baby. You could also try sleeping with him. Many babies sleep better when Mom is with them. Plus you get the added benefit of getting some much needed rest yourself. You could also try getting a sling or a wrap. Wear baby around the house while you clean. He'll most likely fall asleep and stay asleep by your movements. Plus he's nestled up close to you and thats his favorite place in the world! Trust your instincts and Mother him the way YOU feel comfortable with. Don't worry about "spoiling" him. Babies dont spoil, just food does:) Oh...and when it comes to carriers, try to stay away from "boxed" carriers like snugli and bjorn. They arent as comfortable or well made as others and its hard for baby to sleep comfortable in them. Try a ring sling or a wrap. There is a store called HomeGrown Baby on Delaware in Kenmore that has a bunch of baby carriers and the women there can teach you how to wear him. The carriers hold up to 35 lbs, so dont worry that he might be too big. I bought 2 of my carriers there and I love them and I love the closeness it gives my baby and I! And heck, its a lot easier to live life becuase it leaves me hands free to still get things done and he just sleeps away peacefully. Plus they are really easy to nurse in discreetly. He's 7.5 months now and 20 lbs! Good luck to you, and remember that it will NOT last forever, so just relish your time with him, sleeping or awake! :)

Nature will take over if he is beginning to get sleep deprived. At that age he should sleep about 6-8 hours at night without a eeding, take a nap a couple hours after morning feeding for an hour, after lunch feeding take a 2-3 hour nap, then dinner and bath then bed.

Try creating a naptime/bedtime routene.. I know a bath before each nap and bedtime is not gonna happen. But maybe you and he sit in a chair and rock for 15 or so minutes to wind him down and then put him to sleep. the routene will help him learn what is happening and he will feel like he is not missing out on something because he knows what to expect. Good luck

At this age, he definately does need at least 2 naps a day. I would try putting him down for a nap at the first sign of being tired or maybe a little earlier than you are already.
If he wakes up crying, try waiting to few minutes before going to or resettling him. I usually let my baby cry up to 10 minutes. Many times, they aren't in a deep enough sleep, and are still learning how to transition into a deeper sleep. (Kinda like when we roll over in the middle of the night and go back to sleep.) Baby Wise talks about this, but I found his system to be too strict or rigid for my parenting style. Good luck! I hope you can help him get better naps :)

Check out the book: On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo. It will really get your baby on an amazing schedule. It worked for us. Our baby was sleepling through the night by 6 weeks old and it helped us take control of naps.

If he is sleeping good at night, try to imitate the atmosphere as much as possible.
My boy sleeps good all night, and I realized to make naps last longer, and be more refreshing for him, I have to darked the bedroom by using a blackout shade and turn on the ceiling fan.
Now he is in the same room, with the same crib, blanket and teddy he has at night. Also, the same light and sound. Is it dark in the baby's room when you are putting him down? Even a thick bathtowel over the window, also, I find that my boy slleps best if I give him a bottle and a diaper change while he is drinking, so he is in prime condition to go to sleep.
Good luck.

That is normal. As long as he sleeps at night.

Hi S.,
You could always try keeping him awake for an hour or so longer, that might make him sleep for one lengthy nap. I know it is easier said than done, but it has worked for many of the moms in my family as well as for myself. Good luck.
-J.

have you tried playing with him right before he takes a nap, maybe he needs to use up more energy so he sleeps sound. What about a cd player with some soft lullybye music. My second boy (1 1/2) was the same way. :)