Is a long afternoon nap neccessary?

[CollieandPup]

My ds is 4 months and he's only ever catnapped in the day. Usually his naps are 40-50 mins long, unless being held or in sling.

We don't have a daytime nap routine, I just follow his cues, but we roughly go through cycles of feed, play, nap, every 3-4 hrs. Wake betwewn 6.30 & 7, Napping around 10/11, nap again about 1/2 then again about 4/

1. Bedtime about 7.30 (brought forward from 8)

My question is, is cat napping ok? I've read mixed things, some saying its normal to nap for just 40 mins at this age, others saying a long afternoon nap is needed.

Ds used to sleep great at night only waking once for a feed between 4-5am. This changed about 3 weeks ago with him being restless every hour or so, which I think is him waking as he moves through sleep cycles. Don't know if it's just the 4 month sleep regression or the fact he's not sleeping longer in the day????

4 month sleep regression most likely, we have it now too. Cat napping is fine, to go through a full sleep cycle then a baby needs 45 minutes of sleep so what you're experiencing is pretty normal and I wouldn't worry unless he's seeming tired despite his naps.

What I've experienced in the last couple of weeks is that naps have stayed the same but she has gone from sleeping through for 11-12 hours to waking hourly or two-hourly. From what I've heard it's very common at 4 months old and will go back to normal (which I repeat over and over when she refuses to go back to sleep) but that this does last longer than any previous growth spurts or regressions.

You're not doing anything wrong and it will end eventually.

My 4mo DS only ever catnaps during the day too, not worried! Following their cues is the best thing you can do, essentially, so trust your instincts

He is sleeping through 10-8, which is a bit later than I'd like, but my laid-backness about it mainly stems from 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'! I did try putting him down earlier, but he reverted to feeding 3 hourly so not trying that again. He's only just started sleeping through without a 4am feed this wk, so hoping to avoid a regression

Very muslin of your 8am wakes. I'd prefer it I'd he's air on the side of 7am and not 6.30....sometimes 6!!!

Glad to know we're not alone. Ironically hes been down 1 hr 10 mins and still going.....a very rare thing! Keep checking the monitor to see if he's breathing! Tempted to check on him but he's got a squeaky door!

Yep, I was thinking 4 month sleep regression. Sometimes he doesn't even wake properly, just restless and needs restless in his cot and needs help drifting back off. Hes also taken to rubbing his head alot....I keep saying its because so much is going on in there!