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GF baby long afternoon nap

8 replies

celandine · 12/01/2004 17:41

I always have to wake my 6 month ds from this or he'd sleep on for 45 mins. I know they're 'supposed' to be only needing 10-15 mins at this nap now, if anything. He's quite happy if I do wake him after 15 mins but I feel quite bad about doing it.

He usually gets tired at 4.30ish, even though he always sleeps for at least 90 mins at lunchtime, and I end up waking him after 30 mins, at the latest 5.20. The reason I don't wake him is that he'll then probably not be ready for bed until later and we like to keep a 7pm bedtime.

Is it really so mean to wake him? Any other babs still taking a long afternoon nap?

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celandine · 12/01/2004 17:43

Oops - I meant the reason I don't let him sleep on is because then he'll probably not be ready for bed until later. Must remember to read through my messages before posting them!

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Lamin · 12/01/2004 19:24

Are you out and about with him or is he in is cot? My DS (8mths) more often than not still has this nap if he is in his buggy or the car and I used to get really paranoid that he would sleep too much and not go to bed at 7pm but he always does. I went back to work last week and he sleeps in the car for about 45 mins on the way home (I pick him up at 5.30ish) and he still goes out like a light at 7pm!

So I would say don't stress about it, but also don't feel mean if you find that if you don't wake him he doesn't go down well at 7pm.

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bunnyrabbit · 12/01/2004 23:19

Same here Lamin.

My DS is only 4 months but regularly takes a long afternoon nap and also falls asleep in the car when I pick up DH at about 6pm. He still passes out at 7pm too. As long as he has doesn't have more that the correct total amount of sleep in the day, I let DS sleep for up to 45mins.

'Spose you could try leaving him and see what happens.... if he won't go down at 7, you know not to do it again!!!

BR

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celandine · 13/01/2004 10:13

Thanks, I think I will just leave him cos I feel like a right meanie for waking him. I'll still try to put him down at 7pm, even if he doesn't seem tired and hopefully he'll doze off himself soon after, even if he doesn't go to sleep straight away.

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melsy · 13/01/2004 10:32

Bunnyrabbit , what is the correct amount of sleep for the day?? My DD is also 4months. Sort of on TraceyH/Gina Ford ish!!

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celandine · 13/01/2004 13:41

melsy, according to Gina F at 4 months the baby should be having 2 and a half to 3 hours sleep a day. This is best given as 45 mins in the morning, approx 2 hours between 12 - 2.30 and another short nap around 4.30 - 5pm. HTH

My ds usually sleeps for around 2 1/2 hours a day (after a challenging first few weeks with him not sleeping for longer than 20 mins at a time. I'm sooo pleased those days are behind us !!

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bunnyrabbit · 13/01/2004 13:50

Hi Guys,
Yep this is what I stick too.. between 2 and a half and three hours.

DS usually has 30 mins in the morning and 2 hrs at lunchtime so can 30 mins in the afternoon, unless he doesn't sleep well at lunch time, in which case I let him have as much as he wants.

BR

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celandine · 13/01/2004 16:33

Yes, my ds has 30 mins in the morning too, and he started doing this himself about 2 months ago. The book says they might need up to 45 mins unless they aren't sleeping well at lunchtime.

He's just gone down for his afternoon nap now after waking at 2pm after having 1 1/2 hours sleep. This is a pretty average day.