15 week old sleeping a lot during day and waking at 5.30

[BoSho]

I've recently started to put my 15 wo DS in his cot for his daytime naps and he's doing great - sleeping 4 times a day and settling himself, but the success of the daytime naps seems to be affecting when he wakes up. He used to wake up at about 6.30/ 7 for a feed, and that's what we'd start the day, but now he seems to be wide awake at 5.30! As soon as I see signs of sleepiness (usually yawning, sometimes eye rubbing) I swaddle him and put him down. He seems to need about four naps, three of which last about 2 hours and the final one lasting about 40 mins. Is 2 hours too long and therefore the reason he's waking up so early? If so, should I wake him after 1.5 hours and then let him have a little 40 min snooze on the fourth nap? I would love to cut out the 40 min nap because it's often a bit too close to his bedtime, but I can't because he gets overtired and really cranky. Could the final nap be the problem, and if so, how do I cut this out when he's obviously tired and needs it? I'm confused.

3 sleeps of 2 hours a day is going to MASSIVELY impact night time sleep, IMO.

I wouldn't wake him early on his three naps, but I would try to cut the number of naps. Try putting him down for the first time between 9:30-10am, see if he'll go a couple of hours. Then try another nap at about 2:30-3pm - if he goes a couple of hours on this one, then it may alleviate the need for the 40min "power" nap later on.

By having these times, then realistically the longest period of time he's ever going to have to stay awake for is 3 hours. At almost 4 months old, that shouldn't be hard for him.

Even if he does look tired in between naps, it doesn't mean he has to go down straight away. Holding off that little bit longer may make all the difference. With 2 x 2 hour naps a day, he's still getting plenty of day time sleep.

Mmh, I thought so. Thanks WayNoHow, I'll try two longer sleeps. Each time I tried that before he usually screams the place down, but if he's had a good solid 2 hours already he might be OK. I'll also get to see his happy little face for longer during the day too this way :)

Not working. Now he's overtired and won't sleep. This is sooooo frustrating! :(

How did you get on, BoSho? Any success in the end? Did he eventually go off?

Don't forget, it takes 3 days to change a baby's habits, so if you are sure that this is the routine you want for him, then persevere! Obviously, though, it was only a suggestion and you have to do what keeps both you and him happy (or some middle ground in between!).

Nightmare NoWatNoHow! He slept from 9 or an hour and a half, then he was yawning and rubbing his eyes by 12 but I kept him awake until 1, had to go out so put him in the buggy where he slept for about 40 mins, then got him home fed him, and tried to get him to sleep but he was having none of it. Screamed the house down, until he eventually slept for about 10 mins and I fed him early to calm him down when he had a nap, which I woke him up from at 5.40 after 40 mins because I was worried it would affect his sleep at night, then he melted down again. He went down fine for bed at 7, but he was exhausted the poor love, and I'm afraid I got quite cross with him, so now I feel really guilty about the whole day.

I think I tried to move too fast. He's only been sleeping well during the day for a couple of days, and now that's fixed I'm worrying about the 5am start. Silly.

So, I think you were right about the amount of sleep, but I think it's too soon. I'll start again tomorrow and keep the three sleeps, but limit them to 1.5 hours and the gradually reduce the frequency of feeds from every 3 hours to every 4, increase the span between naps, and then eliminate the late afternoon nap, a la the baby whisperer.

I'm a bit of a fiddler when it comes to the routine and just can't leave it alone. Lesson learned I think....

YOu sound just like me and DH! DH panics when something happens for the FIRST time as he thinks it's a new "habit"! 3 years on, and we both still funny about the routing - DS has started waking at 5:45/6am for NO reason recently (after about 3 years 7pm - 7am), and that's got us in a right state so we've also started "fiddling" with the routine!

Meanwhile, it's probably just a phase, and a little bit cos of his cold!

Good luck, I hope it settles down for you soon.

Oh God, I feel for you. It's so tricky isn't it? I am a complete fiddler. I just can't help myself - it drives DH nuts! Thanks for your support. Hope the 6am wake up is a phase.

BTW, DS slept until 6.30am last night after hardly any sleep during the day. Mmh, starting to re-think plan, but must not fiddle :)