4 month old - naps getting worse

[Sunflower160]

DS is 4 months old this week. I know it could be developmental leap related or regression, but his naps are getting worse. His naps used to last around 45 mins but now they only last 20-30 minutes and he only has three a day. Surely this is not enough? If I let him nap on me then he would snooze all day but it’s not possible with another little one to look after. By evening time he is very cranky from overtiredness but I can’t get him to nap longer. I have tried gently waking him before his sleep cycle ends to comfort him and get him back off to sleep but he ends up wide awake. He sleeps for 11 hours at night with a couple of feeds in between so can’t complain there, but surely 1 and a half hours (or less) in a day isn’t enough for his age? Or is this just how he is? Anyone similar?

Bumping this for you, OP. I was going to suggest the waking him before the end of his sleep cycle too but can see you've tried that!

It's not the weather is it? It has been hotter than normal. Can you try a fan in his room? The noise of it might drown out any other noises downstairs perhaps, too, and keep him asleep longer.

Hopefully someone else will be along with some other ideas soon.

I have no answers but I'm in a very similar position. My DS is fine at night but I really struggle to get him to nap in the day if we are at home! If we are out he is fine. Hopefully someone will be along with some advice soon!!

Thanks both - I’m wondering if he’s just getting what he needs and if he’s getting a good chunk at night just doesn’t need that much in the day. But others I know with babies seems to nap so much more!

No advice op, but just wanted to assure you you’re not alone. My twins barely napped for more than twenty minutes twice a day between four and nine months!
They had to be in bed by 5.30pm or it was meltdown city! They are a year next month and usually have an hour morning and afternoon now. Some of my friends babies are on two hours twice a day. I couldn’t even imagine mine sleeping that long!

Yep, as soon as mine woke from the newborn sleepy stage at about 10 weeks, she napped for exactly 29 minutes each time until last week (she’s nearly 8 months) and now she’s throwing in the odd hour. Oddly, she’s now sleeping a little better at night, no idea if that’s linked. And I’m touching ALL THE WOOD while I type this.

Baby sleep is a mystery to me.

Also in the same position so no helpful advice sadly. My DS will sleep if we're out but catnaps at home. I'm wondering if I need to be stricter with a routine but it's so had as I also have a 2.5 yo.
Yesterday I sat in the park about 100m from my house and he slept. No logic 🤦‍♀️

@RKaz my DS is the same. If we are out he will sleep for 2/3 hours!! If we are at home it's 20 minutes if I'm lucky.

@Leaf19 I hear ya!! We managed 45 mins today and then he wakes up so cross as he's clearly still tired.
Someone on another thread reckons wake them up just before 1 sleep cycle and settle them back to sleep. Anyone tried this?? I think it sounds crazy but am willing to try it if it works for others...

Shows how tired I am....it's on this thread that it's been suggested 😂
@HebeMumsnet does this really work? My LB is not very transferable so if he falls asleep in the car or buggy I can't move him anywhere so wonder if waking him would just make him fully awake...

@RKaz I’ve tried it, gently woke him about two mins before he would usually wake and tried to rock him back to sleep but he just ended up wide awake and wanted to play!