3.5 month old suddenly not napping for more than 30 mins

[breastfeedingdrivingmecrazy]

Until last week I had a gloriously easy routine with my 3.5 month old which involved 3 naps per day - 1 hour in the morning, up to 3 hours and lunch and 30 minutes in the afternoon. It meant that I had lots of time to myself during the day and could plan something for myself at lunch.

She has suddenly stopped napping for any longer than 30 minutes at a time, so has moved to waking up later (8am ish) and 4 naps of 30 minutes each during the day. I've had to bring her bedtime forward to 6.30pm. I've tried everything to soothe her back to sleep once she wakes up but she's having none of it.

Any thoughts as to why? Is this the start of 4 month sleep regression? Will I get lunchtime to myself back ever?!

You could try taking her to a Mum and baby class or club in the morning to tire her out.

Look up the 4 month sleep regression.

I'd tell you all about it but I'm still recovering from doing in twice in two years!

Good luck.

I think when they get to around 4 months their sleep changes from newborn sleep to normal sleep. This means that they now sleep in cycles which are 30-45mins. Supposedly they're meant to link cycles for longer sleeps but doesn't always come naturally to them.

My DS has only now started to link these himself in the day at 8months but he's a rubbish sleeper.

She still sleeps through the night (I know I'm lucky), is that going to go next if it's 4 month sleep regression?!

I'm sure you'll be fine, DS did get worse for us but he never slept through the night in the first place.

I have no real useful suggestions, only empathy My DS never napped more than 30 minutes as a tiny baby. I felt that it must be my fault and was so tired. Since turning 1 he sleeps 12 hours at night and a solid 2-3 hours during the day. It will get better, you just have to go with it for now.

My DS slept for 45 minute naps 4 times a day after the 4 month sleep regression but still slept through the night. To be fair to both of mine, they've always slept at night. You could roast potatoes by my DS's sleep cycle, it was always 45 minutes to the second.

I decided to tackle it differently with DD, and she had one mammoth late morning nap and one short afternoon nap.

That may be down to their personalities and not my parenting skills though!

Normal

Mine didn't stop sleeping through the night but had a difficult napping phase - serious snooze refusing.