Any tips for extending naps?

[mumofzach]

Hi!

Just wondered if anyone had any ideas how I can extend nap times for my 3 month old baby?

At the moment I can just about get him to sleep but it's usually for 20-25 minutes max. He sleeps brilliantly on a night but really fights sleep in the day even though he is very tired.

I'm not expecting him to do really long stretches at all but would feel so much better if he got at least the full 45 mins of a sleep cycle so he was getting some benefit.

Hope you can advise!

Thanks

Xxx

Naps in something which offer a rhythmic movement are best for this. I favour the bouncy chair, but pushchair, car journey, sling carrier or rocker all have much the same effect.

The idea is you use the perpetual movement to establish extended naps. After a while baby doesn't wake up between sleep cycles, only waking when has had enough sleep. At that point the constant movement won't be needed, since baby now stays asleep themself, so only needs help to get to sleep initially.

That's great to know as the only decent nap my baby has had has been in his car seat or pram, when I've managed to time it right. I was worried that I was setting him up for bad habits but if it's a means to an end I'll keep doing that until he's learnt how to settle himself back to sleep between cycles!

Thanks FATE

I didn't move to stationary cot naps until 5-6 months old, when naps were consistantly 90 minutes plus. Until then, every single nap was in the bouncer if we were at home, or pram/car if out.

Timing your nap is important, to avoid over tiredness. As an approximation baby is likely to want twice as much awake time as nap length. So if you are mostly getting 20-25 minute naps, aim for around 40-50 minutes awake time between naps. That is give or take, it's not an exact science just a guideline.

A tip I was given is 10 mins before the end of his 25 min sleep cycle. Gently and only slightly rouse him. Don't wake him - he should move / snuffle / and go back to sleep. (For the next cycle) often helps!

www.dezeen.com/2017/04/10/ford-smart-cot-recreate-feeling-rocked-sleep-car-soothe-babies-design-technology/

Not sure if this is available or at what cost! I'd have lilledforninw

KIlled for one

That looks amazing Astro55

Yes it does - about time we moved away from basic cots!

Swinging crib or reclining chair moved my baby's naps from 20 mins to 3 hrs. If he woke up after a sleep cycle the movement put him over again. Life changer. But i didn't find out until he was nearly 4 months. Next time I'll use it from day one.