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Anyone have success with crib hour for lengthening naps?

9 replies

SleepdeprivedMummy123 · 07/04/2023 16:45

Currently sleep training 9mo for naps. First two days baby did 30 mins - 1 hour naps but by day 3, he wakes after 15-20 mins crying. Clearly still tired. I started crib hour to see if he goes back to sleep and within 30 mins of comfort checks, he does eventually go back to sleep. He can then sleep up to another 1.5 hours. But it’s sad and frustrating that he won’t do that first time. He goes to sleep independently at the start of the nap fine and fairly quickly but I don’t know why he keeps waking after 15-20 mins - is he just getting used to sleep training??

I’ve tried shorter and longer wake windows, made sure he’s not too drowsy when I put him down etc and so far it’s made zero difference.

Has anyone had success with crib hour in helping their baby learn to link sleep cycles or is it a load of rubbish and he’ll just learn to do it eventually, developmentally? it’s just weird that is short naps used to be minimum 30 mins but now 15-20!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LapinR0se · 07/04/2023 16:48

What are the current timings of the naps?

SleepdeprivedMummy123 · 07/04/2023 16:52

@LapinR0se

Times vary as follow wake windows and sleepy cues but roughly

Wake: 6.30-7
Nap 1: 2.5-2.25 hours after waking
Nap 2: 3-3.25 hours after waking from nap 1
Bedtime: Sometime between 7-7.30 (normally 3-3.5 hours after waking from nap 2)

If all naps are short, we sometimes have to squeeze in a 3rd catnap which pushes bedtime back a bit

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 07/04/2023 16:56

Ok I would switch a bit so you have a shorter morning nap and a longer lunchtime one. This helps to make sure your baby is really tired for the lunchtime nap.

suggested timings:

6.30-7am wake
9.20-10 nap one
1-3 nap two
7pm bed

SleepdeprivedMummy123 · 07/04/2023 17:00

@LapinR0se thanks, I can’t do a 40 min AM nap if he wakes after 15 mins though. If I try to see if he goes back to sleep, it then feels mean to wake after another 20 if he’s cried on and off for 30 mins to go back to sleep. If I just left him after a 15 min nap, he’s miserable!

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 07/04/2023 17:08

Is there any chance it is hunger?

SleepdeprivedMummy123 · 07/04/2023 17:09

@LapinR0se definitely not. Today he’d had a decent solid lunch and then a BF 30 mins before his nap.

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 07/04/2023 17:12

is he definitely going down wide awake?

SleepdeprivedMummy123 · 07/04/2023 18:26

@LapinR0se yes, he normally whinges/cries for about 5 mins first so definitely awake

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 07/04/2023 18:36

Ok. So I would do a feed and make sure he is wide awake after the feed and put him down wide awake. If he cries, try a top up feed but do not let him start falling asleep during it. in case of hunger or thirst offer substantial meals like the ones below and plenty of water to drink.

Meals at 9 months: any of these
breakfast
scrambled egg with buttered toast fingers
porridge made with milk served with blueberries
banana and avocado mashed together with some rice cakes

lunch
baked fillet of salmon with sweet potato mash and peas
chicken and butternut squash risotto
spaghetti booognese
fish pie

dinner
baby pasta with 7-veg sauce
mash potato with broccoli and grated cheese
lentil hotpot

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