Does This Sound Right to You?

Updated on August 27, 2007
M.R. asks from Fairfield, OH
12 answers

Although I realize that different babies have different sleep patterns, I was under the impression that by about 6 months most babies work out a nap schedule where they take a decent nap in the morning and a longer nap in the afternoon. I've not seen this yet with my 5 1/2 month old child.

Here's what he typically does:
wake at 5:30-6:30 am, eat (bottle), then right back into the crib to sleep
wake at 8:00-9:10 am, eat (bottle and cereal), awake and playing
**between this 'breakfast' and 'lunch' he'll take 1 or 2 45 minute naps, never longer than 45 mins
lunch at 1:00 - 1:30 pm, eat (bottle and veggies), awake and playing
**between this 'lunch' and 'dinner' he'll take 2 45 minute naps
dinner at 5:00ish (bottle and cereal)
**almost always takes a little 20-30 minute catnap between dinner and bedtime, which never affects his ability to go to sleep
bedtime at 8:00-8:30 pm, bottle and into the crib (he's awake and falls asleep on his own)

A few other factors - he sleeps from 8:30 pm to 5:30 am without waking up. Also, his temperament between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm is pretty good (a measuring stick for "is he napping enough").

Any of you moms experience this? Did it ever change or did your child eventually consolidate the sleeping sessions? Any other suggestions or advice (except for co-sleeping or family bed; while I recognize this works for many families it is not a practical or desired option for us). If this is the routine he has chosen to follow, I'm not going to try to switch it up as it seems like he's happy and getting enough sleep - "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it!".

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the information, especially from those of you who could confirm that your child or children did this as well. He's happy during the day, he's sleeping 10+ hours during the night without waking, and he's thriving so I think I'm just going to keep following his cues and doing what we've been doing. Having him sleep longer in the morning really isn't a desirable option since once I go back to work in October he'll have to get up around 6:00 anyway, so we're satisfied with keeping that wake time as is. Heaven knows he'll probably change the rest of his schedule on his own anyway!

More Answers

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L.C.

answers from Canton on

My son did practically the same thing. It was about 7 - 8 months before he got into a schedule of a morning nap (1-2 hours) and an afternoon nap (1-1/2 - 2-1/2 hours). He used to take 20-30 minute cat naps during the day. My son is now 13 months. I just follow his lead for naps. He is at daycare 3 days a week and when he is there, he only takes one nap (too much going on - he might miss something!). Just follow your childs lead. They seem to let you know when it is time for a change.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

some children just like adults need diferent amounts of sleep and have different sleep patterns, it's been a long time since i had to deal with this personally, my baby is now 4 but i babysit and have a 13 month old little girl here every day that i have had since 6 weeks old. she will nap from 1-3 here for me most days nad be perfectly happy, at home she naps in 45 minute spurts 3 times a day, morning afternoon and evening, she is a rock me to sleep baby and does not put ehrself to sleep, aso with the other kids in the house and all the activity i don't have any trouble keeping her up most days, so she will sleep for a longer stretch here, i do notice though that she wakes up about halfway through and i have to rock her back to sleep, she is still so tired having missed her morning nap but her body says hey you've been asleep long enough wake up, you could try keeping him busy and seeing if he will skip that nap, part of it is habit for both of you, otherwise i think you said it, he's happy, leave it be untill it interferes with yur schedual or he isn't. good luck. oh and it jsut occured to me part of why children start taking fewer naps is because of how active they are, if he isn't crawling and getting around yet it could just be a developmental milestone he isn't ready for.

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C.J.

answers from Youngstown on

Hello ! I would not be alarmed.. I have 2 children, my daughter as a baby didnt sleep at all !! She is 6 and she is still an insomiac. My daughter can take a one hour power nap and be up half the night, and if for some reason she wakes up in the middle of the night, shes up for the duration. She was born like that, 6 years later she is still that way. When I asked the ped he said everyone has different sleeping patterns. My son on the other hand is 4 now, he slept a long time as a baby, and at 4, he still requires 12 hours of sleep.. or else he is grouchy !! If your baby is happy, I would not be worried.

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W.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Not exactly, my dd took 45 min naps but not 2 of them...otherwise it sounds familiar. I agree that you shouldn't try to change it, it sounds like heaven to me compared to the little amount my dd slept at that age. As your baby gets older you'll find that the "average" description is just that--average. It doesn't even come close to describing most babies/children. No one is perfectly average in every area. Your baby is well within "normal" and healthy, which is the more important measure. I hope that helps, I know I always worried if my dd was different somehow but I've learned (she's 5) that only leads to unnecessary concern and stress on the both of you.
Blessings,
Lynn

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N.K.

answers from Toledo on

Every child (especialy 0-12 months) will have their own unique schedule. I noticed he is sleeping through the night and still taking cat naps through out the day so that is a good thing! Right around 12 months most infants start taking either 2 full naps or 3 short naps. Then at about 18 months most will only take one long nap.
I definitely think the schedule your son is on seems great for now! As long as he is happy and as long as it is at least somewhat working out for you then allow him to stick with it. He will consolidate his naps on his own, eventually.

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M.S.

answers from Columbus on

Hi,

It sounds like your baby is doing really well! The only advice I would give is this, try putting your baby asleep earlier. Research shows (as well as first hand experience) that if your baby goes show somewhat earlier, they will sleep better and longer. Gradually try moving his sleep up to about 7-7:30PM. When I tried that with my daughter (who would also take an after dinner nap) she would actually sleep from 7-7! Since he is going right back to sleep after that first early morning bottle, I think he could go without it until 7:30-8AM., so I would try giving him more to eat either later at night (say a final bottle with cereal around 7pm, then off to bed). When he awakes at 5:30, instead of a bottle, try a pacifier. He should be able to bypass that first bottle soon. You could also try making him stay awake longer during the day. Instead of getting in those 45 min. naps, try keeping him awake (if possible) until either lunch or dinner. Somehow try to cut some of those back so that he takes a longer nap in the afternoon. I would try the nap between early morning and lunch and then feed him a little earlier than 1pm (like 11:30-12) then put him down.

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R.B.

answers from Columbus on

Hello M.,

Boy does that sound familiar. My son never took more than 1/2 hour naps. When he was little until around 1 he took 3 half hour naps. Around age one he gave up one nap and I thought he would sleep longer...nope! He then went to two, half hour naps. When he was about 18 months and went down to one nap, he finally started taking one GOOD nap. He naps anywhere from 1hr15mins to sometimes up to two hours.

Hope this helps. Good luck. I know it can be frustrating when they only take short naps.

R.

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S.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

You know, I think that it is working for him. If his temperment is fine at the end of the day then he is getting the sleep he needs for him. I think there are alot of kids out there that take shorter naps here and there throughout the day. I wish that my kids where that easy!! Neither of them like to take naps or sleep!! I think they are affraid they are going to miss something. Although my one kid is only 7 weeks so he really dosen't have a schedule yet!!

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H.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

That doesn't sound too terrible, the only suggestion I have is try to keep him up a little longer before the first nap and that first afternoon nap to help him sleep longer and sort of consolidate them. My son usually took a long morning nap (like from 10-2) and a very little if any afternoon nap, he slept long and hard, my daughter did the 45 minute thing for quite awhile before consolidating to one 45 minute am nap and a 1 1/2-2 1/2 hour pm nap. So it's really hard to say. That's the only real suggestion I have if you want him to nap a little longer, just try to keep him up a few minutes later each day and see if that helps, just avoid letting him get overtired. Good luck

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D.H.

answers from Cleveland on

My daughter showed no signs of consolidating her crazy schedule on her own. After reading the no cry sleep solution i realized how important long naps were to her nighttime sleep and decided to do whatever it took to keep her asleep for longer intervals.
I knew that nursing upon awaking would put her right back to sleep. So at 5 months old for about 2 weeks straight i sat there with her on my lap ready to nurse her back to sleep if she woke up before 2 hours had passed. By the end of the month she was taking 2 two hour naps. (Then I had to get her to stop associating sleeping with nursing, which was a whole nother feat, but it happened and) now she's a great napper! She's 1 year old now and i could set a watch by her nap times. Good luck and just be consistant!

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C.

answers from Cleveland on

What you described sounds normal to me. My son, now 21 months old never had a schedule until around 12 months. It's really too early for that. My daughter, now 6 months old sleeps pretty much like your son. Sometimes she will sleep a little longer than 45 min. but during the day she will take about 5 naps and she also sleeps through the night. Enjoy!

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P.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hello M.. I've come to the conclusion that each child is different. Between my child, my nieces, nephews, and babysitting for 5 yrs. each of the children somewhat did their own thing. If your baby is happy I think it's just fine. When he is 1yr. old and wants to stick to this kind of schedule, then it may be cause for alarm. You could always check with your pediatrician if you feel concerned, he/she could tell you if anything needs to be modified. I hope this might have helped. Take care and good luck.

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