Worried that my 5 month old doesn’t get enough sleep

[Sunflower160]

My gorgeous DS is 5.5 months old. Nighttime is generally good, he sleeps from around 8pm-6am with a couple of quick breastfeeds during the night and goes straight back off to sleep (most of the time!). As for naps, he only ever catnaps. He has 3 a day. These naps only last for 30 minutes, sometimes less at 20 mins and very occasionally around 45 mins. This is regardless of whether he sleeps in his crib, car, pram or on me. I try and look out for his tired cues, when he yawns and rubs his eyes I try and get him down for a nap at that point. He struggles with self settling and has to be fed or cuddled or rocked/bounced until he’s on the brink of sleep and then I try and put him down when he’s still very slightly awake and then he nuzzles on a small piece of muslin until he drifts off. He hasn’t slept for more than 45 mins during the day since being a newborn and on average he only gets 11.5 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Is this really enough for him? Other mums I’ve spoken to have said their little one around the same age naps for much longer. When I asked the health visitor a couple of weeks ago if this was normal she said he does need more sleep than that and it’s crucial that he does ‘for his development’ So now I’m worried that he isn’t getting enough sleep and the impact it’s having on him. He is a very happy, placid chap so as long as he’s happy then I’m happy. Does this sound like something I should be worried about? I really have tried to get him to sleep for longer but it feels impossible! Will his naps naturally lengthen in time?

Can't offer any advice but I'm in the same position. I have a 5 month old who won't sleep for very long either and I'm worried about him as he always seems to be tired but never wants to sleep. At night he will sleep 9-7 but wakes up about every hour and a half and has to be fed or rocked back to sleep.

My health visitor gave me very different information- she said some need a lot less than others. Is your baby happy? If so, I wouldn't worry. You'd know if you had an over tired baby on your hands!x

Chuck your health visitor in the bin, your DS sounds fine! Your nights would be a lot worse if he wasn't. From what friends tell me, their naps do lengthen over time. My daughter currently does 20-30 minute naps and then pops awake but she's always happy when she does so I've stopped worrying.

Barring medical issues or you actively trying to prevent sleep with espresso and disco lights, babies are going to get the right amount of sleep for them otherwise the human race would go tits up.

You're not alone! Whilst my 5 month old DD sleeps through the night (8-6.30) she is terrible at napping in the daytime. 35 minutes is the most she manages, usually 3 or 4 times per day. I'm just grateful for the night sleeping after the first 8 weeks of pure hell - she barely slept and screeched a lot! Hoping after 6 months she naps for longer.