How can I extend the first nap?

[PetrovaFossil1]

Hi,

My 8 month old is in a tricky transition to 2 naps. By the time he's tired enough for the third nap, 7pm bedtime is ruined.

This is mostly because I cannot, and have never been able to for past 5 months, get him to sleep longer than 30mins at his first nap so the last awake period is way too long.

He sleeps 11.5-12 hrs overnight but no matter if I put him down 90mins to 3 hrs after he wakes, it's always 30mins sleep.

Lunchtime nap is 90 mins normally which is fine. Any tips?

I'd start routining naps to allow for some predictibility. You don't mention what time naps are. I'd go for for either 3 naps a day:

6-7am wake
9am nap
12pm nap
4pm (woken after 30 mins, not left to sleep longer)
7-8pm bed

Or make first two naps later and skip the third nap

6-7am wake
10.30am nap
2pm nap
7-8pm bed

Thanks Fate. I was hoping you might reply!
The first schedule is the one I've been going for but he just won't take the third nap until after 5 which wrecks bedtime (although I'd been basing it of when he wakes from sleep/naps rather than scheduling)

I hadn't thought of pushing out the first nap a bit more so I'll definitely try that, thank you.