5 month old cries every night

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Can someone pls suggest something, currently at my wits end 😭😭
My 5 month old cries every single night. Day time naps are fine and whilst not super regular we do have somewhat of a routine and his last nap ends at 5.30. Tried putting DC to bed at 7.30 after a bath and then it's tears usually for about 30 mins before they knock out for the night. Sometimes DC's eyes are closed whilst crying, so clearly tired. Tried earlier and later bedtimes and it's the same thing. Sometimes the only thing that'll quieten DC is coming back out until they fall asleep in front of the TV which I'm trying to avoid watching. Am I doing something wrong?

I've attached our schedule (ignore today as I haven't the logged naps yet)

Someone please help. Pleaseee

How do you actually put DC to bed? What does the bedtime routine bit look like? Do you stay in the room while they fall asleep? Any music/white noise? Are they on a cot/crib or on you? I think understating that will help posters make suggestions for you.

It's been a while since I had one that small, but 5.30 sounds like it might be quite late for finishing a nap if you're trying for a 7.30 bedtime.

DD is 13 and its been a while but I suspect the problem is the 5:30 nap.

It's easy when you only have one to over think everything, once people have another you tend to find the baby fits in with everyone else's routine instead of your world revolving around the PFB. Why can't your baby be with you downstairs? There are so many changes in sleep pattern it really won't matter if they are down with you whilst they are small then take them upto bed with you after a nappy change if they have one.

Im sure there was also a sleep regression around that age too as they have a developmental leap whilst learning to sit up. There used to be a book that was recommended it was called some thing like Wonder Weeks.

A 2 hour wake window seems very short to me.

I would also try a later bedtime. Try 8pm to 830pm bedtime.

Thanks everyone. @SatinHeart I take him up to bathe then pat him to sleep before putting him in his cot (even for daytime naps) with his noise machine on.The drowsy but awake thing has never worked for him . We tried an 8pm bedtime today and he cried until 8.30, we brought him back into the living room and he stared at the TV until he fell asleep at 8.45.

What time should we be stopping his 5.30 nap for a 7pm bedtime? We were aiming for a 2hr wake window but perhaps he needs less?

He may need up to 2.5 hours awake before his bedtime. So you might want to work back from there.

If your baby needs the extra sensory input from light before he goes to sleep then what about a cot mobile like this DD had an earlier model and liked it.

Thank you @Singleandproud I might try this actually. Fingers crossed