Can anyone help with a nap routine for my second child??

[Twobigbabies]

I am currently on mat leave with my 2.5 yr old and 8.5 month old. Due to always needing to get out with the toddler (especially in the mornings) my youngest is not in a good nap routine and is miserable and overtired as a result -cue major mummy guilt. She normally wakes 6.30-7ish, gets 45mins-1hr in the morning before we go out then another 1-1.5 hrs at lunchtime while the 2.5 yr old naps. The afternoon is where I struggle as she cannot do more than a 3 hr awake time so either bedtime is 5pm or she gets a short catnap then goes to bed 7-7.30. My son was on a solid 2x 1.5 hr nap schedule by now and happily went to bed at 7 but she screams and screams at bedtime and seems overtired whatever I do. I was thinking of trying to get her on some kind of Gina Ford routine but she can't possibly last from 2.30-6.30. She wakes multiple times and is breast fed back to sleep- this is nothing new but not improving. So exhausted and guilty :-( Can anyone suggest a solution?

I would suggest your youngest needs a solid 3-nap routine. I'd go for 2h-2h30m awake time (flexible depending on how knackered baby is at the time) with a slightly longer awake time before bed.

I would suggest:

○ 6.30-7am wake
○ 2-2h30m awake time
○ 9am waking naturally, you mentioned 45m-1h so until 10am ish.
○ 2h-2h30m awake time
○ 12pm nap waking naturally, you mention 1-1.5h so until 1-1.30pm
○ 2h-2h30m awake time
○ 3.30pm nap waking at 4.30pm if not already awake
○ 2h30m-3h awake time
○ 7pm-7.30pm bedtime

Thank you that's really helpful haven't tried that one. Will give it a go!

A. Can you afford to get a babysitter to take your toddler out in the mornings while you get a routine established with the younger one?

B. Will the baby sleep in the pram/buggy/sling and if yes can you fit one daytime nap around that? I.e leave the house just before nap time.