nap problems for 3 month old

[Sassyfrassy]

I have just recently managed to get my 3month old dd to sleep in her cot. I put her down when she's on the verge of falling asleep and she usually falls asleep fine in the cot. In the day though she always wakes after 45 minutes unable to get back to sleep. The only way she'll sleep longer is on my nap with the breast in her mouth. I know she needs longer as she gets very grumpy and needs another nap within an hour. In the evening she sleeps fine from 5.30 to 11 so I know she's able. Does anyone have any suggestion on how to help her nap for longer?

my dd at this age used to nap for 30 mins evey 2 hours at that age sorry have no advice

No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley has ideas for this - iirc, it's something like sitting outside the room she's in for the few mins before you think she's going to wake, and then settling her back as soon as you hear her stir, before she wakes properly.

I've never tried it - she says that it eventually develops into a habit - you're tipping them over from the end of one sleep cycle to the next is the theory. Might be worth a go.

hmm, I remember reading that a babies sleep goes in cycles of 45 minutes. Sounds like she's waking when in period of light sleep.
I have no advice as both of mine are poor sleepers-am sure someone will come along with soem good advice.

Thanks for the sympathy =)

I know that babies have a 45 minute sleepcycle and Katie is regular as anything, I can set the clock by it. I like the idea of going in to soothe the baby just as they are about to wake. I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm having a similar problem. 11 week old wakes after either 30 or 45 mins. Tends to get overstimulated so I've increased wind down time to 30 mins but seems to be a habit now so I tried NCSS today (like Habbibu mentioned). I managed to get him to go to one hour by settling him back as he was stirring. Unfortunately I think he then wet his nappy which leaked and he woke after one hour...I'll be trying again tomorrow...

Hi, just to let you know - I am in the same boat. I read somewhere that you need to get them out of the habit of catnapping so try and extend the periods they are awake between naps each day, for eg. 10mins, then 15mins etc. At 3 months, they should be able to stay awake for at least 1.5 hours. It's very stressful isn't it? I find myself getting into such a state 30mins after they've gone down as you can bet your life they will stir at exactly 30mins! I've decided just to relax and watch my LO for tired signs.

How did the waiting outside the room go? Is hard to settle them back down though, I go in and she starts grinning and is wide awake!! Is it bad just to let them nap like this as mine seems fine and is sleeping at night quite well. This is my first time doing this!!!

The problem with doing nothing is that they may not grow out of if and will be sleep deprived in the day for 3 more years or so.

Is the room she's in dark- like really dark? Mine sleep for ages in the dark but 30mins otherwise.

Yeah, room is dark but like to keep day and night noticeably different, know what I mean? Will start darkening the room though as am getting confused myself with the sleep thing.....oh yeah, she sleeps for about 2 hours in afternoon though...weird...