4 month old naps for only 20 mins at a time!

[Anonymousse]

DS2 will settle for a nap fine in his cot (maybe a bit of a grumble) and then ping awake with an awful panicky cry after 20 mins. I thought it was because he was overtired but he seems to do it all the time, even when I think he's well rested. (DS1 used to wake after 40 mins and I thought that was bad!)

I have tried letting him cry it out several times and it just hasn't worked. Sometimes eg: in pushchair or especially car he will open his eyes wide then go back off. In the sling I walk around when he stirs after 20 mins to get him back off.

He's a good night sleeper - put down awake, grumbles then self settles. Occasionally wakes 40 mins later screaming/crying but settles himself back after a minute-ish. Why can't he do this in the day? He will be full time at the childminders in 8 weeks so I would really appreciate some ideas

Anon my DD1 was like this, she didn't need anything other than a cat nap. I just accepted that was how she was. through gritted teeth

Do you think he is happy with that amount or is he tired all the time?

Sounds well within normal range to me.

Ds2 was like this, then around 6mths he started having slightly longer naps, which gradually got longer and longer. It was a surprise after nap-tastic ds1!

Don't let him cry it out . He's very young.

My 14 week old never ever sleeps for more than 20 ish mins in the day now. I dont bother trying to put her down in the day as were usually out and about so she normally naps in the car etc. I've just accepted its prob all she needs as she's always happy and contented and never cries and always wakes from her power naps refreshed. Tbh I just thought it was normal for short naps now at this age. Most babies I know dont really sleep in the day now.

20 min naps here too, unless she's lying next to me in bed. She naps every 2 or 3 hours, so figure its just how she keeps her battery charged. If yours sleeps well at night and is refreshed by her naps I wouldn't worry

DD could be like this. if I put her down not long after waking she did a good 45min/hour but was hard work to get her down for lunch time nap. She stretched the lunch nap over time. it helped to have the room pitch black.

Thanks for the input. He is very cranky if he only gets 20 mins, that's the problem. And it makes the next nap(s) very difficult and even shorter. It's a self fulfilling circle thingy (too tired to thing of right terminology!). I am also exhausted - I am on my own with a 4 year old too and cannot sleep when baby sleeps as he sleeps so very little

Even if he's lying next to me in bed he'll still wake after 20 mins and need cuddling/pacing to go back to sleep. It's like he gets too wired in the daytimes

very interesting that it may get better at 6ish months, thanks nethunsreject

hectorthestandbyhawk that sounds very familiar - first nap can go OK if I catch him early enough. When did your DD start going a bit longer - was it 6 months too? I've tried total blackout room but it doesn't make any difference, it's something internal that's waking him and he just can't/wont self settle even though he does at other times, it's like he's in such a panic he forgets he could suck his thumb (have tried 4 types dummy, they are just ejected)

I'm glad to know I'm not alone but shame there's no magic solution! Might an electric swing work do you think? Any other ideas? I have tried outdoor time, lots of stimulation, not much stimulation, feeding to sleep, everything I can think of really.

I think their sleep rhythms mature as they get older and they then start taking longer naps. My DD did 30m naps on the dot from 8 weeks old. When she was 5mo she suddenly started napping for longer. I would just go with it for the time being, annoying as it is.

Yes it was after 6 months. How long is his night sleep? I used to find the baby whisperer site useful. Google 'baby whisperer' then go to the naps forum. The moderators give excellent advice if you detail your baby's schedule. Site is free and simple to use.