Advice for 30 Minute Napper

If you haven't already, develop some sort of pre-nap routine, so she'll start to recognize the actions as naptime. Read a book, rock in the rocker, quiet time in the darkened bedroom. Just some ideas. Both my kids went through this stage of 30 minute napping, and I don't remember how long it lasted, but like the other poster stated, consistency is helpful. Once she gets into a routine and starts to recognize the cues that this is nap time, she'll get into long sleep patterns.

My daughter took 2 twenty minute naps as a baby, then dropped one. Yes, one twenty minute nap and she was set. She'd sleep great at night though. When she was 3, she stopped napping at all. She's now 10 and a good night sleeper.

Some kids are just like that, is my opinion.

Hi D., my almost 8 month old son is very similar. He will often wake from naps or during the night after about an hour. According to Pantley's "No Cry Sleep Solution", all babies (and adults!) wake periodically during sleep--adults have learned to just roll over and go right back to sleep, but babies take time to learn this skill. So what has been working for us has been teaching him to fall back asleep on his own. It is not easy. Pretty much it involves watching the baby so that you are there right as they wake up, and you can help them fall back asleep whatever way works (e.g. pacifier, nursing, rocking). Gradually, you shorten the time that you give this help, so they are more awake when you leave them and they will gradually learn to fall back asleep on their own. Also, having a strict "nap" routine that is different from (but still similar to) the bedtime routine, that will help (e.g. always eat lunch, quietly read a book, then nurse and go down to nap in a dark room with ocean sounds on). Try to keep her on a schedule so she knows that after lunch she always naps, or whatever your schedule is. We've also tried introducing a "lovey" stuffed animal that the baby associates with sleep. Again, it comes down to routine and association. In a couple of months we have seen a bit of improvement with our son, following this advice. Good luck! I feel your pain!!

Hi D.

Ugh, I feel your pain!! I have 11 month old twins who use to be the exact same way! I hope this doesn't upset you but it wasn't until recently (about 1 month ago) that they finally started to get out of the cat napping phase. Like you, I tried everything! For some reason they both just only liked to sleep for 30 min. Unfortunatly, I don't have any magical advice for you - my babies just kind of out grew it. But I will say, I just recently started reading the book "The Sleep Lady. Good Night, Sleep Tight." By Kim West. This book was recommended to me by several friends who swear by the book. I feel like a dummy because I wish I started reading it earlier - it is a GREAT book!!! She has a great (gentle) method to help babies/children sleep better. I recommend you purchase this book and try her suggestions. Best wishes! ;) S.

D.,
Here are some things I focused on with my little guy who was an awful napper as an infant but at around 10 mos. started to nap well.

Music and a fan (just for white noise) in his room.

We introduced a lovey which we had slept with for a couple of nights so it smelled like us and he would have in bed with him always.

Letting him cry it out a little more. We found that if he cried for more than 10 minutes he was't going back to sleep.

Making sure he had something in his stomach shortly before the nap helped him nap longer too.

Really focusing on being home for naps in his crib for the consistency. This was easy for me as he is my first but I know it's harder with two.

Good luck with the sleeping.

H.

I know exactly what it is like to have a short napper. My son (now 11 yrs) was JUST like that. I could set my watch by his 30 min. naps. At this point I cannot remember when they got longer, but they did. (He is my only child so I do not have another to compare to) To this day he is not a long sleeper, except now when he has to wake up early for school!! Almost daily I read posts from Moms with sleeping issues. I remember those days and nights when it seemed he never slept. My only words of wisdom are that it just takes time (in my case years) for sleep patterns to improve. I guess the fact that I cannot remember too many details is good because as they age there are so many other issues and sleep seems to take care of itself over time. I wish I could give you the perfect answer..take care.
M.