4 Month Old Only Takes Frequent and Short Naps

I would suggest trying some days of putting her down to nap even faster, because often if she is already tired and cranky when she's going down then she's overtired. Overtired babies have a chemical released in their brains to keep them up and it's hard for them to get good sleep. It's possible that she is having these short naps precisely because she is too tired. So although only an hour and a half of awake time seems really short, maybe she needs a smaller window of awake time, especially for the first and last naps of the day. I used the Weissbluth book, but what's best to take away from him are a few choice nuggets: sleep begets sleep, put them down earlier than you think, and learn to catch your baby's wave of sleep. My two kids were a little different: my son could stay up for longer and my daughter was toast after 90 minutes. Each kid is different and the book is only a guideline. Try nudging her naps a little sooner, say by 10 or 15 minutes, so you're putting her down when she is just starting to get drowsy, NOT when she's cranky. I hope it helps, good luck! Also remember that she could change her sleeping habits on her own one day no matter what you do, so try to shake off that feeling of failure!

Throw the book away. No book should make you feel like a failure as a mother. Your daughter hasn't read the book, therefore doesn't know how she "should" be sleeping. If that's how she naps, then so be it. What can you do to change it? The fact that she's only getting up
once at night is amazing and you should consider yourself incredibly lucky. I never used the CIO method and still don't, not for me at all and my daughter is incredibly sensitive so I don't think she would have handled it well either. At 4 months old, I don't think naps are really very long anyway, i don't remember. Do what your gut tells you and trust your instincts, not a doctor who doesn't know you or your daughter. You are doing great.

Many people have found success using the techniques while others have not. If it isn't working for you, then perhaps try a different approach or wait a little bit.

Personally, I love the book. It's been exceptionally helpful. At 4 months, my baby would sleep 30-45 minutes for naps and that's it! We didn't try the techniques described in the book until around 6 months and within 3 days, our baby was taking two fantastic naps per day (morning for about 90 minutes and afternoon for 2+ hours, with bedtime at about 6:30 and morning wake at around 6:00).

Try starting your nap-soothing routine a bit earlier, looking for cues and clues of sleep (rubbing eyes, yawning, etc.). My baby seems to get clumsy and slightly whiny, so whenever that happens, we start "the nap train". I pick him up, put him in my lap in "nap position", and sit there for about 5 minutes. If we have been downstairs playing, I also turn out the lights to dim the room a bit to signal the onset of sleep. After 5 minutes, we go upstairs to his room and it is time for napping.

All that being said, I totally get the "what works for one might not for another". If it isn't working out for you or if you are not comfortable with it, then try something new!

I took until 6 months old for my son to take any naps longer than 45 min at a time. He is now at 12 months an awesome sleeper (11-12 hours straight) and 2 2 hour naps a day. When he was little the only way he would nap well was in the baby sling with me, while breastfeeding (which was not good for getting anything done!), or in the baby swing. We just kept trying the crib and letting him cry for 10 min like you, never much more than that. Try having a mini routine of night time like book or feeding. Maybe give a paci or burp cloth that smells like you to help relax her and play the same music or white noise each time. We try to make everything as close to the same. If she is doing well at night she just needs to figure it out during the day. Don't worry!

You are not a failure! I didn't follow that book and I certainly didn't let my 4 months old cry for an hour - I couldn't do it with either child. It just wasn't for me.

Everybody has a different approach and it should be what you feel most comfortable with. For some people, they can do the cry it out at 4 months.

One thing you might one try is when she wakes up after the short nap, let her fuss for a bit, she might fall back asleep. I know with my first, my response was to respond right away. If she then starts to cry, go in rub her back and soothe her, but put her back down.

Good luck. And it is amazing at 4 months she only gets up once during the night!

I know this is not what is recommended, but my daughter would sleep no longer than 30 minutes at a time until I started positioning her on her side. She is just not comfortable on her back. She is six months now and immediately flips herself onto her stomach no matter how she is laid down. Might be something to discuss with your ped.

At that age my son napped 3 times a day for 40 min. each. That was simply what his body needed. Now, at 19mo., he takes one 3 hour nap per day!! Don't worry, her naps will lengthen. Some babies need shorter naps at that age, some longer. I read parts of Dr. W's book & decided I did not agree with most of his methods, but that is a personal decision. Just go w/ your gut & as long as your baby is napping & is playful/energetic while awake, is growing on schedule & sleeping well at night, then you shouldn't worry. Dr. W. is not the end-all, be-all of children's sleep methods! If things don't go quite as he says, so be it! Every child & parent is different! Good luck!