Last wake window hell

[whiskerblush]

My baby is 6.5 months old and has never been a good napper. He will nap around 3 times a day and we’re lucky to get over 30 minutes each nap, and even luckier if it’s not a contact nap.
What I’m really struggling with, though, is his final wake window of the day. We usually have his last nap around 3pm and will start his bedtime routine at 6pm, he’ll be asleep by 7. However, this wake window literally just consists of him super grumpy. I struggle to entertain him or do anything with him out of my arms. It’s hard because my partner works long shifts and is very rarely home for this time and I struggle to do anything.
What could I be doing wrong? Is he legitimately just picking up on my fear and dread of the last wake window and feeding off that😂 any other babies the same??

I’ve used napper and huckleberry to help with naps and tried EVERYTHING to extend nap lengths, he genuinely seems overtired and I can’t get him out of the cycle😢

Sounds like a normal baby. Both of mine were grumps after their last nap until they fell asleep on me on the sofa. I think this is why we are so fried by the time partners get back from work. You're not doing anything wrong, this is just baby life.

It's called " the witching hour" or 3!
Notorious for grumpy babies

Early tea, then a long walk, then a long bath, then bed!

Both my kids have been the same! We just grind it out untill bed time and get through with snacks, cuddles and distracting games. On bad days when i need to get stuff done i use our carrier for DC2 who is 9 months now.