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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

what to do about half hour naps?

15 replies

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 13/04/2009 21:47

DS has been a half-hour napper since Christmas (he's now 5.5months) and I've gradually learnt to live with it, as he's got older the more they seem enough for him (ie he wakes refreshed and happy) but he's in the midst of a growth spurt and clearly needs more sleep, the last 3 days he's woken from almost every nap tired and angry but I can't get him back to sleep

Any suggestions? Do they just eventually start napping longer? He's BF and started solids yesterday

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MuddlingThru · 13/04/2009 21:52

Do they eventually start napping longer? DS1 and DD - yes at about 5 months. DS2 still waiting on that at 8 months - but then he has been such a rubbish napper that I am grateful for 30 mins and that he no longer takes 20 minutes to settle for a 10 minute nap.

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CharCharGabor · 13/04/2009 21:54

DD did this from birth, she was a real cat napper. I just went with the flow and she eventually lengthened the time she was asleep for. Do you make sure you put him down before he's exhausted? I found DD slept better when I did that.

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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 13/04/2009 21:56

I do try to, though to be honest it doesn't always happen and he does nap in the bugy a fair bit when we're out and about (in which case he is asleep before being overtired but still only naps for half an hour)

thanks all, I live in hope!

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megcleary · 13/04/2009 21:57

dd was like this until she was 9mo and then she went 2 hours i sat there checking her breathing oodles!!

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mummymimi · 14/04/2009 10:23

My son is a catnapper also 5.5 months, I have just learnt to accept that he will only sleep for 30-40 mins in the day and if he sleeps any longer its a bonus

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frazzledgirl · 14/04/2009 11:33

DS did this till he was well over a year. Now sleeps once, for up to two hours (he's 20 months). So I think it can change, yes.

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Crazycatlady · 14/04/2009 14:11

Oh GWTMH, you know I'm no help whatsoever on the nap front but just checking in to say hi, and I feel your pain... if you fancy a walk tomorrow after PB I'll be wheeling DD round the common to get her afternoon nap in.

We've had three naps today - one 35 mins, one 30 mins (both in cot), and one 40 mins in the buggy. I literally feel like we spend all day trying to get our babies to nap!

About to head out in the next 20 minutes or so actually for ANOTHER walk. Must not let the overtiredness demon kick in, I want another night's sleep tonight...

I'm sure you've tried all the PUPD and shushing in the world to get DS back to sleep, but have you investigated that Wake to Sleep thing as per BW? Sounds terrifying to me and don't even know if it's applicable to naps but maybe worth a shot if you're getting desperate. xx

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ChocOrange05 · 14/04/2009 14:36

Static radio is working for us - I put it on when I settle him for his nap and it has extended his naps from 45-60mins to 2-2.5 hours and I wake him.

We put it on quite loud - I read somewhere it has to be louder than if they were crying IYSWIM?

HTH

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ChocOrange05 · 14/04/2009 14:36

BTW my DS is 5 months and this started working the first day we tried it when he was 4 months

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Thefearlessfreak · 14/04/2009 14:39

What is static radio choc? Might be dumb question but do you just not tune it in? Been using hairdryer for white noise but the room gets really hot & I have to stand there with it!

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SazzlesA · 14/04/2009 14:41

This reply has been deleted

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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 14/04/2009 15:51

thanks everyone. I'm fine when he wakes up happy from his naps (obviously selfishly I'd like a bit more time for me, but if he's fine wiht it then that's ok), it's when he's so tired and angry after waking that it's frustrating he won't sleep for longer

Chocorange what's the static radio channel? Have heard of it in the past, def worth a go

CCL am well up for a walk tomorrow after PB, you know me! though I walked for 2 hours on saturday and he still only slept for 30mins! argh.....

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mummymimi · 14/04/2009 20:08

I might try the static radio thing, do you put the radio on after they have settled or while they are settling for a nap??

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Crazycatlady · 14/04/2009 20:14

Cool, hope for a nice afternoon... how frustrating re the 2hr walk. That happened to me last weekend, walked all the way from Clapham Common to our house, a good hour plus... and the little minx only closed her eyes when I got as far as the High Rd... by which time I was exhausted, hot and bothered, grr. See you tomorrow x

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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 15/04/2009 11:44

funnily enough, weekend before last we walked to clapham common, had a pint, walked back to balham, had some lunch, walked back to streatham - 3hours and he stayed asleep the whole time!!!!