How can I get my 9mo to nap longer?

[Orlofina]

My DD has NEVER had decent naps, and will only sleep for 45mins at a time. She sleeps fairly well at night, 10-11 hours, but does wake 2 or 3 times for a feed (BFing) and/or re-settle.

We used to feed to sleep but no longer do this, but have to rock her instead. However we do have a strong routine, lots of other sleep associations: white noise, blackout blinds, in her sleeping bag and have done this since 3 months. Her afternoon nap is often in the buggy. She’s never taken a dummy despite my persistent attempts over the months, and seems to get stimulated, and then infuriated by patting.

I’m desperate to get her to sleep longer so that I can have a break in the day! Would love her to sleep through, and will probably night-wean soon, but shall tackle that another day when my sanity has returned!

I would suggest doing the afternoon nap in their cot rather than the buggy. I have a 10 month old. When he was younger he would have long naps in the buggy ok, but now it will be no longer than 30-40 mins. In his cot he will do an hour and a half - longer sometimes, if we let him!

We’ve really cracked his sleep since using Gina Ford’s timings. I don’t follow anything else of her’s, just what time to sleep and how long for. At this age she says 30-45 mins at 9-ish, then and hour and a half at 12.30/1.00 ish. Since we started doing this, he sleeps through from 6.45-6.45 each night and naps much easier

Would love to get her doing afternoon naps in the cot mnahmnah, but don’t know how! Have started to be more strict with nap times (around 9 and 12.30) but not noticed any difference yet.

I could try rocking her & transferring to the cot (do this sometimes) but she often wakes during transfer.

You may need to try weaning her off being reliant on rocking and put her down while sleepy but awake, so she gets better at settling herself. Might be hard, but worth it in the long run. Let her watch you close the curtains, shush and cuddles for a minute, maybe a little song, then ‘sleep tight’ and in the cot. Walk out. If she gets upset, just wait as she may settle. Obviously if she gets more upset I would go in after a minute, but just a quick shush and leave again. Might take a while, and a few returns, but after a day or two she should get the message! My DS1 is now 6 and I had hell with his naps. Doing all this finally cracked it. So I did it earlier with DS2 and he’s been so much easier!

Anyone else relate to our situation?

Pretty sure it’s not regression (yet) as she’s been like this for ages

My son was like this at 9 months. He's 10.5 months now and over Christmas suddenly started doing two longer naps of 1-1.5 hours each, then 12 overnight with a couple of wakes. He's also breastfed. I didn't really do anything, it just happened. He stopped feeding to sleep a while ago (his choice), so now we feed until drowsy/when he's had enough and then lie on the bed together until he just nods off. Sometimes he wants a cuddle, sometimes he rolls about, sometimes he tries to eat my nose but eventually drops off on his own and then I move him to his cot.

Might not be much help, but they do just get things in their own time. I think falling asleep by himself, rather than in my arms makes a difference though. He also doesn't cry this way which he does if I try putting him in the cot awake. And I get a nice lie down