I am looking for suggestions to help my four month old take longer naps. She will only sleep for 40 mins max(sometimes shorter). I know she is still tired when she wakes up, but she will not go back to sleep and is then tired an hour later. She sleeps fairly well at night- bed around 8pm and up around 7am with one feeding around 2 or 3am.
I have tried darkening her room, a story and rocking routine, letting her fall asleep on her own, letting her fall asleep with me and then putting her down. Nothing seems to matter.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
When she does wake up let her lay there for a while she could fall asleep again but it might take a few and as long as she is not crying for more than 7-10 minutes she is fine. I know its tough to let her cry or have her awake and not being with her but if you do not set a pattern it gets worse as she gets older...this I know from my daughter.
Hi,
I have a 9 month old son and until about 2 months ago, his naps were also short. He would take one in the morning, reliably most of the time, for about an hour. But afternoon naps were a bear. Sometimes 30 mins, sometimes 45, sometimes not at all. I tried everything as well and was also frustrated that he'd wake up from the short naps still obviously tired. I think it was just his age -- at 4 - 6 months, they don't always take long naps apparently. We did do the Weissbluth method (leaving him to soothe himself) for naps most of the time, but until he slept through the night consistently, his naps were pretty short (1 hr to 1 hr 15 mins). He started sleeping through the night consistently at 7 months and naps have been getting better and better. 1 hr 30 mins - 1 hr 45 mins at 9 am and 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hours at 2 pm. Having said all of that, there are still occasions when one of the naps is 30 - 40 minutes for some reason. Nothing is different in the prep -- it's just short -- and I've come to the conclusion that sometimes, this is just the way it is. Especially now that he has learned to crawl, he seems more stimulated and gets into the crawling position in the crib and wakes himself up earlier than he otherwise would. So...I guess my advice is not to worry too much. 4 months is pretty young from what I understand to have long naps. They will get better. Stay consistent with your times and preparation and they will fall into place. Hope this long-winded message was somewhat helpful!
I too have a 4 month old who naps for about 20 minutes in her crib or carseat.
If I hold her she may sleep for 1-2 hours in the afternoon.
Everyday is different. Yesterday she slept for an hour in my bed.
Just wanted to let you know that I am also struggling with giving my 4month old all the sleep she needs in order to grow right now.
I would love to hear about the responses you receive to your request. Hoping they may help me and my daughter.
Thanks and take care.
Hi S.,
Have you bought the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" yet? Go get it today if you do not own it yet. It has advice about napping and sleeping through the night.
My pediatrician recommended this even before my daughter was born.
Good luck.
HI S. - I'm interested in what you hear back as I'm going through the same thing with my 3 1/2 mo old. Also, are you breastfeeding? If so, how did you get your little one to sleep through then night with only one feeding? When did that happen? Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer!
M.
Hi! I have a 3 1/2 year old and 2 year old. I got a book when my oldest was a baby because of napping issues. It is called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy child". It is a wonderful book to help you with sleep issues. I think your four month old is doing great with sleep. I really didn't get my kids into a great nap schedule until the age of 6-8 monthes. The book is a great guide from everything to naps (times to put them down and length) and sleeping at night.
