How to get my boys to take longer

Oh where oh where did the 2-3 hr naps go. It is very rare that I can get my boys to nap for longer than an hr at a time. I feel like I am always laying them down for a nap. Once they wake up in the AM they stay awake for an hour and a half usually then are ready for a nap, usually this one last 45mins to an hour. Then for the rest of the day I lay them down as soon as they start to get fussy they have no problem going down for a nap but they may only sleep for 1/2 hr to an hr. Sometimes one will sleep for 2hrs and the other only 30 mins, so then they are all out of whack. Then it seems like in no time they are fussy again and I lay them back down for another 30 mins nap. We have an excellent night time routine and sometimes they wake around 4-5am to eat then back to bed until 7-8am or sometimes they sleep straight through til 6:30am. They go to sleep between 8:30 and 9pm. I know most people put their babies to sleep way earlier, but w/ dh and I both working this just works out better for us, but do you think maybe that's why they are not taking longer naps. When they wake in the morning they seem well rested and are all smiles and ready to play.

Are they still a bit young to get into a nap routine?? Will they always nap like this since this is what they have been accustomed to for weeks now? Sometimes when they wake after a short 45min nap I try to rock them back to sleep, sometimes it works other times not. I have also tried putting them in different places to nap, does not seem to matter.

Anyone elses babies like this?? Anything we can do?

 

At that age the night time was really the biggest concern for me. If the night times were working out great then I didn't touch their day schedule. I pretty much let them sleep anywhere, anytime they wanted during the day. I had a couple months where one would always be awake, they hardly ever napped together but I just tried to enjoy the time with each baby. K&K were probably about 7-8 months before we got a set in stone, this is the time you go into your crib and nap.

 

Thanks for your quick reply. That makes me feel better. I was thinking maybe I was doing something wrong or missing a step somewhere. So I guess at this age they will sleep as needed.

 

We have had this EXACT same issue since around 2.5mo (except that the boys go to sleep between 6:30 and 7pm). I know the books might tell you differently, but honestly, I don't feel like their earlier bedtime has had any effect whatsoever on naps. My boys are also great night sleepers, and we have no issues there, but naps have been a different story... it's been 45mins or less, and they tend to wake up tired.

I will say this though, in the last couple weeks they have started to stretch their naps here and there, and yesterday they took an almost 2 hour nap! I'm starting to be able to put them back to sleep if they stir a little and get them to go back down more consistently. It seems to be age/developmentally related (to me at least), so hang in there another couple months and hopefully you'll see better napping. Sounds like you're doing a great job!

 

BTDT!! I tried and tried and TRRRRRRRRRRIED to establish a nap schedule. They didn't get into a routine until they were ready - about 6-6.5 months old. :nea: We had the same exact situation as you: up for a while, down for a little while, up for a while, down for a little while. Just be consistent and it will all fall into place when they are ready.

 

Our naps were a mess until 5 or 6 months!

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Apr 16 2007, 03:28 PM) [snapback]221881[/snapback]
Our naps were a mess until 5 or 6 months!



Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

at that age they usually slept wherever, whenever. they are still young and need a lot of sleep. i didn't start trying to get into some routine until around 4-5 months. mine are just about 7 months and we still aren't in any kind of set routine. i put them down when i see the tired signs; fussy, crying, rubbing eyes. mine do about 3-4 naps a day...sometimes all short ones (about 45 min.-1hr.) and sometimes i might get a long one in there 1 1/2 - 2 hrs.

you might have to wait a little bit for them to get into some routine...but right now, i'd let them sleep wherever they are. good luck!

Lois

 

Our girls still take VERY short naps (no more than 30 minutes). They are great night sleepers though (sleep from 10-12 hours straight). I just figure they will start taking longer naps when they are ready. Hopefully that is soon so I can get more done around the house!

 

I'm in the same EXACT boat!! no more than an hour and it's about naps a day which is exhausting when they cry and whine before falling asleep..ugghhh...they are great night sleepers but this napping is a pain in the you know where...I'm hoping it gets better...when ours were your age I just let them sleep whenever and whereever.