Can someone please teach my son to nap well?

mrs.magoo

He's never been a good napper. Has to be at home in his crib to nap...and his wake periods are still only about an hour between naps...he still wakes an hour sleeps 30 minutes to an hour, up another hour...etc. Through the entire day. Sometimes, out of the blue he'll consolidate a nap and nap for 2 hours, but it's rare. I just keep telling myself: "stick it out, he'll get the hang of it..." Even his pedi said that her daughter was a cat-napper and then by 9 months became the best napper out of all 3 of her kids - every one I talk to keeps saying "he'll get better at it" I've tried everything, letting him cry a while, I've tried soothing him back to sleep, feeding him solids...nothing works. He's great at getting himself back to sleep at night (even though he wakes to eat) and great at getting himself down for a nap, but then he doesn't nap long....I've tried extending his wake periods for more than an hour, but then he just gets overtired...I don't even know what I'm getting at....it's just all very daunting at times and completely frustrating and I hate feeling like I'm the one doing something wrong. Thanks for reading if you got this far.
 

FLA2005NH

Aww Lisa... huge loads of nap dust to Austin! I know I'm not a mom, but try to hang in there, I'm sure it will get better at some point! Hugs to you!!!!!

MrsNich

That stinks Lisa!!!  Babies are mysterious little joys..huh!  Just don't think you are doing anything wrong.  Who knows...maybe that is "who he is"?  Maybe it will change later on down the road....hopefully!!  Jack doesn't nap very well out and about either.  He will close his eyes and sleep for 30 minutes and then he is up.  It makes it harder....someone once said to me "This too shall pass"....eventually!!! 

mrs.magoo

I know...before I know it he'll be dropping naps! I always figure some sleep is better than no sleep and even though he wakes at night to eat still, I count my blessings that he goes right back to sleep after he is done - and he goes to bed really well too...it's just so hard to run errands and what not with him...I guess as long as he is as happy as he is, I'm doing something right!

Mrs. Nicolian

Ugh! Sleep problems are the worst for moms!!

It sounds like he's doing very well, imo.. aside form still waking at night. If you really want to "cure" it and learn more about how he "should" be sleeping, I HIGHLY suggest the book "Good Night, Sleep Tight" by Kim West. It is a godsend! I have a copy I would even be happy to lend you if you're anywhere close to me. You can also buy the e-book on Kim West's website for $10.

My son sleeps 12 - 15 hours a night and still naps 2-3 times a day at almost 15 months. It's GREAT! Good luck.

mrs.magoo

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not too concerned about him waking at night to eat, since he goes right back to sleep after from what I've read it's totally normal for BFd babies to do so - up to 9 months or longer...the pedi isn't worried either, since he's not waking up to play or for my company or anything...he usually sleeps an 8 hour stretch, wakes to eat, sleeps 3-4 hours, wakes to eat and sleeps another 1-2 hours before starting the day...

Mrs. Nicolian

Cool. The book will also teach you how to get on a good nap scehdule. It's not just for nighttime.

mrs.magoo

I will keep the book in mind - I did check out the website - it seems like a lot of info is really similar to Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - which I currently have...thank you for the info!