30 minute naps!!

[spambolina]

Help, I have a 6 going on 7 month old, who just does not want to sleep for longer than 35mins- the classic time when they enter their light sleep, and bingo she's awake. She has a 35min nap at 9.30 and then one after lunch, around 12.30, and nothing until bedtime at 7pm. Any ideas of how to get her to sleep for longer at the lunchtime session?? Don't think its anything to do with the weaning as she is taking her solids nicely. I have noticed that if she doesn't have at least 2 hrs total during the day then she tends to wake during the night any time from 12-4am. I've tried leaving her to settle, no joy. Gonna buy some blackout material to see if this helps!!
It seems quite a common concern for many of us should I just put up with it with the hope that she will improve with time?!

[francesrivis]

A friend of mine had this problem and has just solved it by using the 'wake to sleep' technique (Baby Whisperer) - I haven't tried it myself but basically you go in and rouse them a little bit before they are due to wake up, then leave them to go back to sleep. A bit weird but it does work apparently!

[Milsy]

I would try putting her back down for a sleep exactly two hours after she's woken for three days. She will probably then settle into longer sleeps and you can extend her naps. Definitely go for the blackout blinds as well. We bought a piece of blackout material and stuck some velcro on it and on the window. Cheap and simple and blocks out all the light!

[spambolina]

Thanks guys will try both of your suggestions in the hope that it might help!

[cyteen]

Was just about to start the same thread - my 5 month old has just pinged awake after exactly 40 minutes, again I do put him down for naps 2 hours after waking, I go in and shh him before he reaches full wakefulness a la No Cry Sleep Solution - nothing makes any difference. He won't self settle either, still a bit young for that I think. I love him but more than 40 minutes at a time would be good for both of us, it is driving me a bit mental because he ends up so tired by bedtime.

He's alright at night though, waking every 3 hours at the moment (again like clockwork).