11 week old naps

[Ef22]

I have an 11 week old who is thankfully a pretty good sleeper - I’ve been trying to stick to his age appropriate wake windows & he’s fallen into a pretty consistent schedule of 2 hour naps in the morning and at lunchtime.

I’m getting a bit confused about what to do in the afternoon though - sometimes he does a shorter nap at 3ish and then I try to get him down for a 4th nap before bed after that, but sometimes he does another 2 hour nap in the afternoon and I’m not sure whether I should still try and do a 4th nap after that and push bedtime back later than usual or try to move bedtime earlier? I’ve tried both and neither is ideal as he usually doesn’t want the 4th nap so ends up getting quite over tired but then if I try and put him down earlier he’s up more in the night or wakes up really early the next morning. I let him sleep up to 2 hours if he wants to but I’m wondering if maybe I should start waking him a little earlier instead?

Any thoughts on this would be really helpful!

Gosh you've done well getting so organised with his sleep by 11 weeks! Could you try a 10 minute power nap on the days when you feel he won't quite make it to bedtime? You'll need to do it in the buggy or something that will actively get him to sleep. Watch when he goes off and wake him up after 10 mins before he goes into deep sleep. It's supposed to help refresh them slightly but won't leave him having too much sleep and being awake at bedtime. Could be worth a go?

I have no advice but I think you could probably advise me on my 10 week old DD’s nap schedule! I’m watching wake windows (no longer than 1hr 30) and for signs of tiredness as she gets so overtired. She won’t nap for longer than 20-40 mins if she isn’t on me or DP, or in the car. How did you get your baby to nap for longer and more consistently? Well done!

Ooh okay this is helpful thank you I’ll give it a go!

Ah I wish I could help but honestly I think it’s pure luck we got a baby who loves sleeping. We have constant white noise on when he’s asleep which I think helps him stay asleep and I often put him down in his bassinet so if he starts stirring I give it a bit of a rock until he settles again - not sure if that’s helpful! X