Talk

Flip

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

Sleep

8 month old not napping!

7 replies

kelly772696 · 08/06/2011 22:11

My son is 8 months old and has never been able to go in his cot during the day time for his naps. He goes lovely at night and sleeps nearly 12 hours most nights except when teething. Gets up at 7-8am has breakfast bout 9am then bottle and seep in the pram bout 10.30ish for aprox 1-2 hours. Then again at about 3.30pm another bottle and nap in pram for about 30mins. This would be better if it was in his cot but he goes mental if i put him in there during the day! Recently he doesn't want to sleep much during the day time, Hard to get him to sleep until 12pm/1pm for his 1st nap & then its only 30min- 1 hour. Then in the afternoon its more like 5pm for about 20mins. I think he should be getting more sleep than this but he just doesn't want to? He seems far to busy looking around wanting to sit up etc. Any ideas?

OP posts:

Report

MumMichelle · 09/06/2011 21:19

It might not be in bed, but 1-2 hours in morning and 1/2 hr in the afternoon with 12 hours at night sounds like pretty normal napping to me. My DD didn't nap much more than this (morning 45 mins, afternoon 45 mins) despite waking 3 times in the night for feeds at 8 months.

Is it a problem that he sleeps in his pram during the day? My daughter only sleeps in her cot and it's a big problem now that she's at nursery 2 days per week.... she doesn't nap there at all so she's totally exhausted by dinner time. (she's now 15 months).

If he's alert and cheerful, I don't think you need worry too much. If it's affecting his day because he's too tired to interact, then you should think about more napping, but it sounds like he's doing okay. Well done mum!

Report

jasmin27 · 10/06/2011 00:06

I'm in a similar situation with my dd 8 months. Has never been good at naps, 40mins max twice a day. It is getting harder and harder to get her to sleep even though she feeds to sleep. So don't worry you're not alone. She is happy most of the time so I assume she's getting enough sleep.

Report

Newbabynewmum · 10/06/2011 02:55

I think some children just don't need as much sleep as others tbh so I wouldn't worry about it. My DD is 8mo too and has one 45min nap a day, that's it! She's very energetic & always on the go!! I'd just go with the flow if I were you.

Report

Zimm · 10/06/2011 07:32

My 10 monther generally naps for 40 mins twice a day also. I think it's really normal all the HV's, sleep experts etc that bang on about naps being vital are simply not allowing for the vast range of normal in babies. I think my DD would be happier on a bit more sleep, say 2 x 1 hour, but she does fine generally on her cat naps and is totally normally, very confident and sociable.

Report

kelly772696 · 10/06/2011 18:06

thank you very much for the advise. This is my 3rd child but the other 2 liked lots of sleep..... I think he's just going to be one of those children who doesn't. He is very alert and always happy so I'm not going to worry and bench mark him against the other 2 anymore. Cheers ladies

OP posts:

Report

greeneone12 · 11/06/2011 17:33

Its nice reading this thread as my 8MO DD is the same. She just won't sleep longer that 2x40 mins in the day. Sadly she isn't very happy and is unsettled most of the day. I am hoping its teething and she will settle again soon but I am having a nightmare few days. She normally won't go in her cot but did this moorning but only for 30 mins :( I envy my friends who LO's sleep for 2 hours in the morning. I never have much time to get anything done at all!

Naps have gone crazy too as have mealtimes. She seems to need 3 a day now as opposed to the 2 she has been having for the last couple of months. Is that normal?

Report

kelly772696 · 11/06/2011 23:58

All I can say is that with my old 2 they did change their habits, from the age of being more mobile and I'm guessing this is normal...too much to see and do! As for meal times I have always tried to stick to a routine, mainly baby with the rest of us at the table.. however sometimes this is hard if their sleeping pattern is changing. I must sympathies with you on not having the time to do anything, I think this is probably the main reason why I started this thread.... No blummin time to do anything! I do most of my house work after he's gone to bed at 7pm, not ideal but have no choice. I'm sure this will change again in the near future when he is walking!