Need Help with Naps - San Jose,CA

Well, he is a little young to transitioning him to 2 naps a day, but he should be napping for longer and more consistantly than he is now. Most babies sleep their best a short time after their feedings, so try putting him to sleep 15-20 minutes after he's had a full feeding - and at this point, you CAN keep him awake in order to ensure he'll need a longer nap.
Also, where does he nap? If the room he sleeps in is too quiet, he may need some white noise to help him fall asleep so that he can't hear all the goings on of the house (use a fan, or a white noise cd. My baby LOVES her fan). If you put him down in a place that is too noisy, he may need to sleep in a quieter room. My daughter doesnt sleep well if where she is napping is bright, natural or unnatural life - but every child is different. Try putting him down in different places and see if you can find out where he sleeps best. Try introducing a "lovie" if you haven't already (a pacifier, blanket, or stuffed animal). Also, try letting him cry for a few minutes if he wakes up too soon from a nap - he may just need to fuss for 5 minutes or so to put himself back to sleep.

i'm having the same problem with my 6 month old. any suggestions out there?

How much how often are you feeding him? One thing my baby-heper did which was an "old trick of the trade" was to feed a little more bottle in morning for a longer nap and then less of a bottle, but make the baby stay awake and play for a while for the afternoon nap.. this would then make the baby feel fuller in the morning to sleep longer and then in the afternoon she would tire herself out after eating so that she would sleep longer.. not sure if it will work for you but helped with the transition to cereal in the morning for a long morning nap.. Now my daughter sleeps from 9at night to 9am. Has breakfeast plays lays back down for an hour nap then eats lunch then takes a three hour nap int he afternoon when she wakes up from that she is alert and ready to play and for dinner when my husband and I are home to enjoy her and tire her out before she has her long night sleep.

Hi R.,

I sympathize with your situation and I'd like to share my experience with you. My daughter was so difficult to put down for a nap. She'd wake up (if she actually did fall asleep) every 15 minutes or soo. this is where I made my big mistake. I'd lie in the room with her, on the other twin bed and I'd read until she fell asleep. Sometimes that was very difficult. And as she grew up, she had the worst time putting herself to sleep and his became especially sressful. Everyone told me I had to let her "cry it out". Probably much harder for me than giving childbirth! I actually had a friend and my husband sit outside on the door stoop to keep me from going in t pick her up! I don't know who wailed loudest, her or me. She is 18 today and STILL has trouble sleeping! At 1o we finally asked our Dr. what to do and he suggested 1/2 melatonin. Geeez, I hated gettingher dependant on drugs (natural tho they are) to get to sleep.

So, to make a long story short -- gotta let Dylan find his own way. He will survive it much better than you. I'd also keep him awake during the day, except for his regular naptime. It's tough, but I found if you try to occupy her about 30 minutes before nap time it will help get the "wiggles" out. Be firm and be strong and if she comes out you've got to walk her straight back in with a firm voice (you can cry later). Best of luck to you and you lovely little family. Let me know how it works out.

V. T.

This can be very frustrating, my daughter now 18 yrs. old., was the same way. I started taking her for walks in her stroller and things like that, just trying to make a routine. I know it's hard with 2, she was my first, but sometimes it helps to try and get them out and about even if it's just for a few minutes.

The other thing is he might be ready for a bit of cereal. I don't know what they are telling mom's now, but we could give our little one's some rice cereal at about 3months old, that really helps also.

I hope I've been of some help, it can be frustrating but it is well worth the hassle and it really does go by fast, so enjoy as much of it as you can.

Kathy