Nap? What nap?

[Notmummy]

Our son is now nearly 8 months and has never napped reliably during the day - He was briefly in a routine of sleeping for about 30-45 minutes 2 hours after he woke up and then the same again about 3 hours later, but that stopped about two months ago and now he has no pattern during the day.

He suffered with silent reflux for a couple of months after he was born (before getting some medication) which has meant that we've never been able to just put him down in a cot at nap time - initially it was uncomfortable for him and so he never got used to it.

I'd like to get him into some sort of routine as I'm sure a lack of daytime sleep is affecting him at night, so wondered what people use as cues for nap time?

Are you me???

I'm in the EXACT same position with my 8 m/o DS.

I'm currently staring at my video monitor and watching DS go a bit mental in his cot whilst I'm inwardly begging him to go to sleep

Naps can be non-existent. So far today he's only slept for 50 minutes (two naps of 25 minutes) despite having been up for over 8 hours.

He also had silent reflux as a baby do had to be rocked or fed to sleep as being on his back was really distressing for him. He's on ranitidine now.

He is so, so, so tired but he just will not nap.

I know he will nap in the morning about 2.5 hours after waking and the sleep can sometimes last 2 hours but other times in only 20 minutes. It's then hit and miss whether I get a second nap out of him. Usually not.

He's really upset in his cot - I'm going to have to go up.

DD had silent reflux. It wasn't until 9 months that she settled into 45 mins in the morning and two hours after lunch. Happened very suddenly and with no help from me. No help now, I know, but the morning nap then lasted til 15 months and she still sleeps after lunch at 2.3

Does he sleep well at night? If so why does he need to nap?

Ds had reflux.
For his first year he usually had 2 20 minute naps a day plus very interrupted sleep at night. It was grim.
Once he got moving he suddenly started 1 massive 2 or 3 hour nap. And a whole night's sleep.
He is nearly 4 and still needs several naps a week :) so don't despair. Respite may be round the corner!