Lack of daytime naps...

[norfolkdumpling]

DS2 is 7 months old. I've really struggled this time with a sleeping routine. DS1 slipped into a Gina Ford type routine with great ease so I know it can be done. DS2 unfortunately has to fit his life around DS1 (especially during termtime) so he's never had the opportunity to get used to daytime sleeps in his cot (he sleeps for ages in the pushchair if we're out and about for long enough for him to drop off).

This holiday I tried controlled crying to try and get him used to napping in his cot. Total failure!!!! He'd scream for around 30 minutes and then only sleep for 10-20 minutes. The consequence is that he now only gets daytime naps when we leave the house. He goes to bed between 6:30-7:00pm and sleeps to around 6am. He hasn't woken in the night for around 6 weeks so I know he gets quality sleep at night. How can I help him in the day? Is he being harmed by lack of daytime sleep?

definitely not being harmed by lack of day time sllep especially if he sleeps at night, perservere is the only thing i can say, sorry not much help.

It just goes to show how different they all are

norfolk
his night sleep is good, and hour in the day might benfit him , but is he crabby? for not having a decent nap.
does he not get tired round 2/3 or is he a stubborm munchin?
10/20 mins might be a good start in the cot! my dd wouldnt sleep in the cot until around 11mths.
but ds did it from day 1.
i guess you'd like a free hour or two in the day too!?

This could have been written by me!! My dd is nearly 10 months and up until 6 months she was only sleeping 20-30 mins at a time in the day, but I used cc with her at 6 months and it took about 2 weeks but worked. She learnt how to fall asleep by herself and gradually her nap time lengthened to over an hour (she was still waking once or twice a night though - different story!) But in the last couple of weeks it's all gone wrong again, since she's discovered she can stand up in her cot. It can now take up to an hour for her to fall asleep, then she only sleeps for 30 mins. Like your ds, she's only getting decent length naps when we're out in the car or buggy for any length of time. But I'm finding getting a nap routine harder with ds (5)at home, when he was at school, it was easier to put her down for her naps at set times. Whether we'll be able to get back to that when he's back at school remains to be seen. So sorry, no advice, just I know what you're going through and sympathise.

Oh boy am I glad to know it's not just me. Mumsnet is great for making me feel much better.

Hermykne, he does get quite grumpy. When he has an afternoon feed he will often last only 5 minutes and fall asleep yet when I put him down he screams blue murder. And yes, I would love some free time, if only to get some one-on-one time with DS1.

I guess I'll just perservere with CC and see how we go.

norfolk, i know, the one to one with the elder child is nice for you and them.
hopefully he'll settle, keep perciervering (can never spell that word!)

today my ds only slept 1hr 20min usually 2hrs plus and is now roaring in his cot - knackered but being stuborn