My 8 month old will not take a long nap during the day

Amy - posted on 07/26/2009

Dakota will not take a nap during the day! She might fall asleep for about 10min thats it. My toddler on the other hand will sleep all day if you let him.

Charlotte - posted on 07/24/2009

Same My son will only sleep for bout 20 mins during day he goes bed at 7 wakes at 6am or 7 i am so tired how can i get him to sleep longer xxx

Kylie - posted on 07/24/2009

My son is exactly the same.He will only have 2 half an hour naps during the day.It does get annoying at times when you r busy.I cant complain though because he sleeps 12 - 13 hrs at night.He has done this since he was 5 weeks old.I am just glad i get a good nights sleep.

Amber - posted on 07/23/2009

Oh - and if you do want suggestions for napping... try being really active with him for about and hour or so before you want him to nap. Feed him a full bottle so his belly is nice and full. Rock with him while you feed him. Then put him down for a nap with light music playing (if you have a swing - those work wonders!). Sometimes my little one will cry when I put him down, but I leave the room (as long as he's not wailing) and after a few minutes he's asleep. Good luck!

Amber - posted on 07/23/2009

I read on Babycenter.com that the "average" sleep time for babies in their 8th month is 11 hours through the night and 2-3 short naps during the day. A total of about 13-14 hours per day of sleeping. It sounds like your little one is pretty on track! I think it all depends on their activity level and how well they sleep at night. If he's getting good nighttime sleep, those few short naps are all he needs. I think we all just remember the "good old days" when they slept 19 hours a day! LOL! Just think... soon you'll be down to one short nap during the day and then the rest of the time you'll be chasing him around all day as he gets into things while crawling/cruising/walking!

Regina - posted on 07/22/2009

We have been very lucky. Kaden has always loved to sleep. At night he sleeps between 12 and 14 hours. He has always only taken one nap in the middle of the day. His nappers are about 3 hours long. We also have two teen boys so, in no way are we tip toeing around so the baby can sleep.

Joanna - posted on 07/20/2009

My 8 month old son is the same 2 short naps a day seem to be enough for him but I wish he would sleep longer in the afternoon as can be very grumpy at dinner time. I remember my 3 year old son had a similar pattern at this age but at some point (think about 12-18 months) he started taking one nap a day for 1 1/2 - 2 hours which was much better for him and for me, hope this happens with his little brother too!

Susan - posted on 07/20/2009

I have also noticed the naps getting sorter... My son does sleep 10 hours at night too. He will sometimes get in a good hour and a half in the morning and afternoon... but more and more frequently they are only an hour. I guess it's the progress to one nap a day.

Cathelijn - posted on 07/20/2009

same here. she used to sleep about 1 hour and 1/2 in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon but lately I am happy if she sleeps 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon. Some day she will sleep longer during the day but then she will sleep less at night. On a day of short naps she will sleep about 12 hours at night if she naps more she will fall a sleep later at night so I guess she is getting enough sleep. I just can't get anything done in 30 minutes !!

Kelly - posted on 07/19/2009

My son has recently started not taking long naps.....he used to take 1 nap in the morning that was about 1-1 1/2 hours and then in the afternoon he would take his 2nd nap and that would generally be about 2 hours and then sometimes even an evenin nap that was only about 30 mins......now he is only napping about an hour and then is up...he is still takin 2 naps but they are shorter and i never seem to get anything done, and with him crawling now......it seems like i always have something that needs to be done.....i would say as long as he is happy and will play than i wouldn't worry...he will let you know when he is tired and ready to nap.......

Katie - posted on 07/19/2009

Lately, after a big lunch, Molly has been sleeping 2 hours in the afternoon. Jumping in her Jolly Jumper also tires her out and she loves to sleep after a good jump! If you have a generally happy baby during the day he might not need more than a few power naps. Sleep is always good for babies, but it seems yours gets plenty at night. So, I wouldn't worry to much...as long as he is happy-you should be too! Good luck!