How to prolong daytime naps?

Ann - posted on 11/01/2008

My Son was the same at that age and it did get better with age. He did sleep longer sleeping on me so I would sleep with him. We has a recliner chair and i'd put my legs up and sleep. I know its not what you want to hear but some babies don't need as much sleep. I did however get a shock with my daughter who would sleep most of the night with waking once for a feed then during the day sometimes she would sleep for 3 -4 hours!! I had to call my granny to ask if I should wake her up as sometimes it was 6 hrs since she last feed. But her advice was if she is sleeping at night just leave her. It does get better with age and just nap when he naps. The housework will wait until you have more time and energy to deal with it.
I hope this has helped.

Sarah - posted on 10/31/2008

My son hated to swadled when he was this age, but have you tried maybe rolling up blankets long ways on each side of him so he is cuddled? Why can't you just sleep when he is napping, too? I would take advantage of any extra sleep I could. It does get better, though, especially when he starts to get more active. My 11 month old started taking longer naps when he started sitting up and crawling, etc. I found that if I tried to keep him up longer, it only made matters worse.

Charlie - posted on 10/31/2008

i no it sounds wierd most people thinks it is but have u tried tightly wrapping them in a blanket tight enough that they think ur holding them and play music not lullabys but everyday music that has slight bass to it start of with it quit low then slowly turn it up at somepoint baby will settle. the bass of the music vibrates thru their chest so to them they think your holding them and talking to them dont have it so loud itll blow ur ear drums off but load enough to give the right effect.babys love their cuddles and the sound of ur voice there not to no ur decieving them by doing this. it works trust me i have no probs n my son is only 4 weeks old.

Nicole - posted on 10/29/2008

I have the same problem. My 6 week old will sleep 5-6 hours straight at night, then wake up, eat, and sleep 4 more hours. But, during the day, if she's not in the car, stroller, or being held she'll only sleep for 15-45 minutes. I've tried a lot of things including crying it out. She cried for 2 hours and never fell asleep. I'm honestly at the end of my rope. I like the boppy idea, and I will try that one, but does anyone else have any suggestions? I swaddle at night and have tried doing in during the day, but it doesn't help. I was following a routine and trying to schedule, but she still doesn't sleep when I want her too. The swing doesn't work either, and before she was 3 1/2 weeks old she was doing great... Help, please...

Kerra - posted on 10/29/2008

If he takes a pacifier pretty well put him down with it in his mouth then as soon as he starts to wake quickly and quietly put it back in his mouth and he should settle down and go back to sleep.

Katie - posted on 10/29/2008

Try and wake the baby up earlier then usual and keep him up and entertained then by early afternoon he will be exhausted and then lay him down. My daughter would only sleep in 20-30 minute intervals during the day and she would be so exhausted and grouchy come evening so i started keeping her up when i got up around 7 and then she would go down at 10 and sleep for 2-3 hours, then she was much happier the rest of the day. she would also take about an hour nap around 4ish before i put her to bed at 8. it worked for me and she seems much happier which means i am much happier....hope it does the same for you

Tiffany - posted on 10/28/2008

ok i had a similar problem my one month old wouldnt sleep for nothing but if your breastfeeding that could be it i was too. after eating he should sleep for about two hours at least if he is not then he may not be getting enough you may have to supplement formula or pump more that helped me. also try laying him in a Boppy it makes them feel like some one is still holding them.

Amy - posted on 10/26/2008

Going for a walk is a good idea... Fresh air can help a child fall asleep, and sleep longer. Just make sure that your little one is warm enough. That is something else that could be interrupting a longer nap; if the room where he is sleeping is too warm or too cold for him.

Charlie - posted on 10/26/2008

sorry to say but my 3 week old boy seems to sleep all day literally i would like it so he was awake a bit more lol. when hes having a bad day n not settling i normally put him in his swinging chair n play loudish music the bass helps big time.

Korin - posted on 10/25/2008

I had the same problem. My daughter would only do 15 min naps during the day. Honestly, it gets better I swear. The swaddle blanket worked for us starting around 2 1/2 months. Good luck, stay strong, it gets better.

Soffia - posted on 10/25/2008

Hi suzanne

My 2 month old will also sleep from 10pm to 7am. The best way i have found to have her have a long nap is to take her for a walk in her pram. Then she can sleep for up to 3 hours easily. But if I take the pram inside she has a tendency to wake up very quickly. I think the fesh air is so good for babies and it really makes them tired. Before i did this she would also only have shorts naps which was really difficult for me as I had no time to rest or do the housework.....