?drop third nap

[claremoss]

Hi,
My 7MO for a few weeks now has had her third and final nap of the day at around 445, and whilst feeding on me, as it is the only way she will nap at this time. For the last few days she hasn't really slept on me, she feeds with her eyes closed but that is it. This means that she goes from around 2pm to 7pm with no nap. All the websites I look at says their wake time is less than 3 hours at this age, so I am confused. Should I keep trying and maybe feed her after 5 for ten mins to give her a catnap? Thanks,

[IBakeThereforeIAm]

Is there a reason you want to change the naps? If it's not broke don't fix it imo

Babies don't read websites - I learnt that the hard way!

[IglooisnowinSheffield]

Is she 7 weeks or 7 months? A 7 month old would be expected to nap around 3 hours - there wake time would be much longer than this. With my DC they only briefly napped on me around 4-5pm from 10 months they only have one nap usually 11-2 but this is not set in stone.

[mummyxtwo]

All babies are different so go with what seems to work for her and you. My dd2 has never needed much sleep and has only had 1 nap a day since she was about 6mo. She is now 15mo and has one 90 min - 2 hour nap at about 11am. This used to be even earlier, around 9.30am after the school run, so she in effect was going from 11.30am until 6.30pm without a nap, unless she had a small catnap in the car. She wouldn't sleep in the afternoon if I tried to put her down though, and if she managed to then she would be awake half the night. Don't worry about the websites and just go with the routine she seems most happy with.

[claremoss]

Thanks guys, she is 7months. She didn't nap from 240pm till bedtime today, was very grumpy around half 4 though....but maybe this is a phase she has to go through to get down to 2 naps. I tried to feed her to sleep for ten mins but she just cried on the boob bless her. Went to sleep NO probs though :o)

[stillhopefulforanother]

Typically (not all babes, but many), transition from 3 to 2, then 2 to 1 naps. Baby whisper site and book has more info on this.

Sounds like she is transitioning to 2 naps. Try pushing the awake time during the day so she has a morning and then an afternoon nap. Easier said than done but it sounds like she's transitioning to 2 naps now.

[claremoss]

she naps at 9 and then 1, and is sooo tired at both those times, I am not sure she could go longer yet, but know that is the next step :o)

[mummyxtwo]

Yes my dd2 was very grumpy between 4-6pm too when she dropped her afternoon nap. She perked up after her bedtime milk at 6pm and then was happier until she went to bed at 6.45pm. She is 15mo and cries less now than she did previously at that time but does still get grumpy. Worth it for the better night's sleep though!

[poocatcherchampion]

to give you a different perspective - I dont schedule naps. dd2 has between 2 and 5 a day depending on what we are doing and how she seems. I'd just go with what your baby seems to need on each individual day.

[dinkystinky]

Ds2 is 7 months - he dropped his third nap at 6 months so goes 2.30 to 7.30 without a nap - he gets super grumpy around 5.30 but is generally good if fed and watered then and a bath just after 6ish. If shes not sleeping then shes probably ready to drop it - maybe bring bedtime forward abit till she adjusts.

[ZuleikaD]

7 m is about average for dropping the third nap, but I think bedtime should be earlier - 6pm would be more realistic.

[belleface]

i agree with zuleika in bringing the bedtime a bit earlier. if she can't get through to 7pm without a 3rd nap (but seems to be dropping it), put her to bed a bit earlier. you can always make it later further down the line once she settles in to having two naps.

[claremoss]

thanks guys,
she is going down at 645 with not a whimper it is brilliant!!!!! I am still feeding her around half 4ish so if she wants to drop off she can, but she isn't :o)
re not planning naps Poocatcherchampion, I have to plan, is my middle name :o)