My daughter will be 3 months on Sat. She sleeps GREAT at night (usually 6-7 hours then wakes to eat and sleeps another 3). But, during the day she still only takes little cat naps. Mostly they are every couple hours, for about 45-60 minutes. She used to have one good (2-3 hour) nap during the day, but this has been gone since about 2 months.
My question is what is normal at this age? Should I be working on getting less longer naps, or just go with it at this point?
I can't remember what my boys did, and, they never slept well at night, so their day time naps were longer generally.
THanks for your suggestions.
Jessica
for 3 months she is doing great! My little man moved to two longer naps at around 6 months and one long nap at about 10 months. I think at 3 months he was still taking 4 or so! just let her tell you what to do. when she is ready to take fewer long naps it will become evident to you in some way or another. Then again, my little guy has never slept well no matter what I try so my advice or opinion might be moot. :)
Hello, I am having that same thing my son just truned 3 months on the 14th, except his cat naps only last maybe a half hour orless! my other two slept at least 2 hours during a nap but they were not the best at sleeping through the night either. I know how hard it is to get anything done during the day, as soon as you start something they wake up and want to play or eat or just be held. I just keep asking my self what is better getting stuff done during the day and just wait for when they cann entertain themsevle better or do I like being able to sleep! I really think it is natures way of saying we've been there done that and lets mix it up some!
My second daughter did that, that's just the way she slept. She's a first-grader now, and she seems to have turned out just fine so far! If your baby is getting an appropriate amount of sleep (totaled up over the day), doesn't seem cranky or tired, then it's probably just her personality.
J., I would enjoy it!! Eventhough my kids are older, you never seem to forget the sleppless nights!! I'm sure most mom's would be very jealous of this;)
J.,
Try reading, Solve your childs sleep problems, by Richard Ferber. It is a great book, My three month old is sleeping 8-10 hours through the night with a two-hour morning nap and two more hour long naps. He is so happy and that makes me happier.
Just a note about the book. HE says that at three months baby should be sleeping a total of 13 hours in a 24 hour period. 8.5 at night and 4.5 during the day. that is the total. he has suggested sleep ranges, and says three naps is normal. so there is a bit from the book to get you by, but go get it, it might even help down the line, it is said to be helpful up to age 18.
good luck,
M
I would recommend reading the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". It gives all you need to know about the amount of daytime and nighttime sleep children need at all different ages and how to go about getting the right balance. It was really a helpful book for me when my kids were babies.
I would say if she is sleeping that well at night-not to worry about the short daytime naps. As she gets older the naps will be less and less anyway. I have known many young babies that do not sleep long during the day. As long as she is healthy I wouild not worry about it!
It sounds completely normal to me. As my son got older, he slept longer at night, and in turn he took fewer, but longer, naps during the day. It was a natural progression. My guess is your daughter will do the same.
Every baby's needs are different. Since you are a SAHM, you have the benefit of being flexible, vs. a more stringent daycare routine. I would roll with it.
just have patience, in a split second, her sleeping habits will change again when she learns something new, or starts teething, whatever...
:D if you need to and are comfortable, you might be able to get her to sleep longer if you put her in a sling and just go about your day! i HIGHLY recommend the moby wrap! super comfortable, but takes some practice to get right... its SO worth it!
J.,
If I remember correctly, it takes a REALLY long time for babies to settle into a real nap "routine." Instead of focusing on the length of my son's naps, I focused on the length of his awake time. At three months, he was able to stay up for about an hour and a half before showing signs of being tired. I would then go through a nap routine and put him down to sleep. If I got an hour out of him, I'd be thrilled! Then, the cycle would repeat - he'd be awake and happy for about an hour and a half and go back down for maybe an hour. His early morning and late evening span of awake time was usually longer - more like 2-3 hours. I'm pretty sure he'd end up napping about 3-4 times per day, then he would get a really good night's sleep. Just follow your daughter's sleepy cues and put her down then. Don't worry about the span of sleep, just make sure she's getting enough overall!
Good luck,
Amy K
