6 month old only having 1-1.5 hours of nap

[katlong86]

Any tips on how to get baby to lengthen naps. He will go down with about 15mins of protest but wakes inconsolable after 30mins- I have spent up to an hour trying to get him back to sleep with no success. He cannot seem to link sleep cycles and I’m at a loss at what to do. He’s barely getting an hour and a half throughout the day 🤦‍♀️
I don’t give him a lot of awake time, put him in a dark room with white noise but he just doesn’t seem to be able to do it?! I’m going mad as it then makes bedtime a nightmare as he’s so overtired.

Maybe he doesn’t need more? Mine is low sleep needs and has been napping less than 3 hours total since around 6 months and less than 2 hours since 7 months. And cat naps are still completely normal for that age! When he wakes try to offer a fun activity it change of scenery and see if that makes him happier, it might be that he’s upset about being forced to sleep when he wants to be doing important baby things 🙂

But if he’s upset about it and you obviously tired have you tried contact napping him? I’ve only just now at 9 months moved to putting mine down for a nap in his bed because before he’d wake up so soon but still be clearly tired, but would have nice long naps when held / in a carrier or if I lay next to him.

Hiya, yeah he definitely seems as though he needs more. He will sleep longer with a contact nap but I have a 2 year old so can’t sit with him for long stretches as she needs my attention too. He’s too heavy for the carrier and my back now as well 🤦‍♀️

What about the buggy? Lay him in it in a dark room and wheel him back and forth. After about 30mins asleep, sneak back in and rock him for another 15mins (put something on via headphones for you) and this should push him into another sleep cycle.

Alternatively, would he sleep in the buggy longer on a walk? Take dc1 to the swings or to feed the ducks.

My DD at that age would not nap on her own for any length of time and needed contact nap. Many babies at that age need contact naps and we can't force them into not needing them, that just comes as they develop.
At 6 months your DS shouldnt be be too heavy for your to carry, I think you may need to invest in a better more supportive carrier. I was able to still comfortably carry my DD until she was 4 with ours and front carry till she was about 2.5. I used the lillebaby which is amazing. It's not cheap but it's awesome, you can probably pick up second hand/has good resale value. Or approach a local baby wearing group and they will be able to talk you through options.
www.homeloft.uk/products/lllbaby-complete-all-seasons-sixposition-baby-carrier-black?gclid=Cj0KCQiAxbefBhDfARIsAL4XLRr9mYgQTMG2HDx3UbvtCeLKQyyERqLGF-9IYi6hpdwuPvRT-f_cUh4aAgCCEALw_wcB

Two naps that ranged from 20-40 minutes was the norm here at that age, naps got much longer as they got more active..

I’m afraid my Dd was like this.
To get around the over tiredness at nighttime, I’d start getting her ready for bed at 5.30 and she was asleep by 6. She’d then sleep through until 5-6 am. So whilst daytime was exhausting, at least we all got a decent nights sleep!

Have you tried a nap in the buggy? The only way I could get my daughter to nap was a buggy walk which would then lull her into a deep sleep. Same with my son. Only problem was I could never have a nap at the same time. Neither slept for more than 1.5 hours on the whole though. It just meant earlier bed times. Good luck.

Mine cat napped until we sleep trained her. Once she was able to link sleep cycles at night she started doing it in the day.

Thank you for the carrier advice but I have exhausted that option, have seen a sling consultant and tried a multitude but sadly they all aggravate an existing back injury for me (I exercise regularly and am a physio so pretty sure in the conclusion baby wearing is too much for me for any length of time)
I do sometimes get longer in the pram but only when we’re outside on the move and I can only persuade the toddler she wants to be out for so long!
Good to know I’m not the only one that’s experienced it though - will try bringing bedtime earlier and see if we can do better at night at least.

Hi what method is you use?

That sounds so tough! It might help to experiment with slightly longer wake windows to see if he’s just not tired enough to link sleep cycles. You could also try a contact nap after the first wake up to gently guide him back to sleep. Hang in there, you’re doing a great job! ❤️
https://merithome.co.uk/shop/