To expect 8mo to nap for longer than 35 effing minutes

[Givemecoffeeplease]

I put him down at 8.45, 12.30 and 4. He never sleeps for more than the baby sleep cycle of 35/40 mins. I've tried leaving him to settle himself but it doesn't work, he just gets hysterical. He sleeps well at night (7pm - 6am) so I know I am lucky really but I'm frazzled (actually I'm fucking exhausted) trying to fit my life around 3 tiny windows. He's crawling and standing so I can't leave him when he's up as he will find a way to bash himself (or get halfway up the stairs - stair gates on order!). Aibu to think he should sleep longer to give me a fighting chance of staying on top of life?! And how do I achieve this? Dropping the 4pm nap doesn't make the others any longer.

Thanks for any words of wisdom. Or sympathy!!

Sympathies. I think he is in cahoots with my 8mo! Today she slept for 15 mins at 10am, and 20 mins at 1pm. That's it. And last night she was up 5 times (before I lost track)before waking up for the day at 6.15am. She is very cheerful with it . I am a hollow shell. Ds was like that as a baby, though, and at 4 we now have to prize him out of bed in the mornings. So it isn't for ever!

Any luck so far?