Anyone have any thoughts on how to get my six month old to nap longer? Right now he takes 3 naps a day, about 30 minutes each. I would gladly cut out one of the naps if he would sleep longer during the other two. I think he needs more sleep b/c when he wakes up he still acts tired. I have tried letting him fuss in his crib to see if he'll go back to sleep, but that hasn't worked. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!
Is he crawling? Do you play with him while he's awake.
The more active he is the longer he will sleep. He probably just isn't tired enough to sleep longer.
what are you feeding him? no sugar, veggies, goat's milk ,then he'll sleep,and not be tired.k
hi, maybe try cereal or babyfood before naps? they sleep better w/ a full belly... my son was bf & didn't sleep long naps until I quit. Not sure if he'd wake up hungry or if it was just for me :)
When my son was about this age I NEEDED him to nap. I just had to have some time for "me". I made sure he was clean, fed, burp...everything and put him in his crib. He fussed but eventually would fall asleep. After three weeks of this he stopped fussing and would sleep for 3+ hours. I made sure we were home everyday for nap time (sometimes that was hard but I wanted to keep the routine). He napped like this until he was 4 1/2. It seems mean at first but it worked and gave us both rest that we really needed.
some kids just don't nap. My son was AWESOME! Always 3+ hours. My little girl is soon to be 10 months and IF we get one one hour a week, we are very excited. Try things, but don't force anything or make him upset. I have learned to live without the break as my 4 year old son no longer naps as well. I started exercising regularly and that has really really helped. But I won't lie, there are some days I wonder how I will make it through to bedtime!
Do you have a white-noise machine? I've heard the argument that kids should get used to sleeping through anything, but a white-noise machine works for us AND our kids.
Hi L.,
Have the baby play longer and take less naps, keep him very active and have him drink a little more water, try cutting out juices and give him lot of fresh (small pieces) fruits. Lots of activities before putting him down. Also you set the times and not let him set the times.
Good luck to you and your family, let me know if what works for you, I am sure you must have gotten lots of response.
M. Lindo
When my son was that age he was taking little naps just like that through out the day.... I just waited it out and he got a sched with two long naps during the day..... I just waited it out good luck
The only thing I could recommend is increasing the amount he eats. When we were able to increase the ounces in my son's bottle at a single feeding, he was full longer and slept longer. Hope this helps.
All I can tell you is that is DOES get better. My daughter was the exact same way. Took 3 naps for 30mins or less and woke up cranky. It is very fustrating because I could not get anything done nor could I take a nap with her and since she did not yet sleep through the night I was tierd ALL the time. But by 10 mos she was doing 2 45 min naps then by 12 mos just one nap for about an hour and then by 18 mos her nap was about an hour and a half.
I actually asked her dr if she had a sleeping disorder but she does not, she would just stir, wake up and need mom because apparently I never let her learn to put herself to sleep. ( according to her dr) so maybe If you always rock him or push in a stroller or car then he does not know self soothing. But I'm going to go with normal behavior for a 6 mo old and e sure u that he'll grow out of it in a couple months
Hi L.,
Trying lying down and nursing him to sleep, then sneaking away. Or let him go to sleep in the infant swing. White noise in the room or music playing might help if he is waking up from hearing commotion.
If that doesn't work, rest assured it will come with time. I think my 1st was about 9-10 months old before she would sleep more than 45 mins at naps.
Good luck! :)
