Long lunchtime nap in 2 parts

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Have a 16 week old who has just started doing 4 short naps a day (previously much longer naps). I have just been going with it but today after an hour awake I thought he looked tired so popped him down again and he seems to be asleep. Anyone else experienced this?

I had just been thinking how 4 short naps meant less sleep than a 9 month old on 2 long naps and have been experiencing early wake ups (when he falls asleep very quickly when in bed with us) which I think is a sign of overtiredness? So thought I would try this. Intrigued if thus has worked with anyone else...

And now has slept beyond the dreaded 40 minutes! I hope this actually works rather than being a one off....

Why is it the dreaded 40 minutes? Honestly I'd say just to go with the flow. You're right in 4 month sleep regression territory which generally sends everything to pot so just offer naps when he's tired and for as long as he needs. 1 hour awake him at that age though is absolutely fine :)

Your awake times sound too long.

Generally your awake time wants to be approximately double the previous nap length, plus or minus 15 minutes. With a maximum of 2h awake time (until sleeping 90m plus).

So 40 minute nap = 80 minute awake window (in the range of 65-95 minutes).

Thank you. Thing is since he was about 6 weeks old he's had 1 wake up with gradually increasing awake time to 1h 45 but in last week the short naps and early wake ups have happened. Last night he woke 3 times and I fed him every time then up at 6am. My toddler woke twice and then up at 7am just when baby went to sleep.... feels like it's all going wrong

Newborn sleep, up to around 14 weeks (trimester length) is completely different to sleep after that. You absolutely cannot say "well he used to do XYZ, so should continue". Sleep development isn't linear, especially over the 4 month sleep regression.

You'll need to lower awake windows as naps (inevitably) get shorter. Otherwise adding over tiredness will make everything even harder.