https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 05:01:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/short-naps-nap-training-help#post-52979 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:08:29 +0000 Red 52979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, what you described sounds very familiar. My LO went through a period around 4-5 months when her naps were super short (20-30 min) and very frequent. It was so frustrating. I asked my neighbor with 5 kids for advice and she said all her kids had different sleep habits even though she trained all 5 kids the same way. In other words, some kids just take short naps. Even now @ 13 mos, my LO's average naps are about 1 hr 20 minutes compared to my friend's LO who regularly naps for 2+ hrs. Sorry if that isn't what you wanted to hear. :(</p> <p>I do, however, agree that 9-10 hrs of nighttime sleep seems a little short. My LO gets 11-12 hrs of nighttime sleep as well, I believe her bedtime around that age was 6:30pm. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/short-naps-nap-training-help#post-52959 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:15:13 +0000 ohapostrophe 52959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many naps is he taking? That sounds a lot like what my son did when he was ready to drop his evening nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/short-naps-nap-training-help#post-52950 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:36:08 +0000 tulip22 52950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks Mrs. Yoyo! can't wait to read your post with your experiences with nap training.</p> <p>We do have a nap routine and since starting sleep training, he does go down for naps ok. We also are trying to wean him from the swaddle since he's starting to roll over. We started sleep training him with his Halo swaddle sleep sack, but just started using the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit to try to transition him from the swaddle (and his naps got short even using the swaddle sack, which is why I thought I'd give the sleep suit a shot anyways!)</p> <p>I agree--I think he needs more night sleep as well, so I'll try to keep pushing back his bedtime earlier!</p> <p>I've read about nap extension techniques but other than letting him CIO when he wakes up, I haven't tried the other ones (PUPD, wake to sleep etc). For those who have done CIO to extend naps, how long do you let them go? Is it until 1 hr is reached (including the time asleep) (similar to what you would do if they don't fall asleep for a nap)?</p> <p>Hopefully i won't have to wait until he's 6 months before things improve--fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/short-naps-nap-training-help#post-52941 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:54:14 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 52941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha ... I was just writing up a post on this, so keep your eyes peeled. Unfortunately, naps are so much harder than night sleep, and about 3-4 months is often when they start having trouble soothing themselves back to sleep. </p> <p>A nap routine is definitely important if you don't already have one. There are a few Baby Whisperer methods you can try (wake to sleep, pick up/put down) and there's swaddling, etc., but I've just had to wait the short naps out, ultimately, and they're finally improving at 6 months. But maybe you're more tenacious than me!</p> <p>Also, is it possible his night/nap balance is a bit off? I think babies around 4 months should be getting at least 11-12 hours of night sleep, not including wakings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/short-naps-nap-training-help#post-52936 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:35:12 +0000 tulip22 52936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all! I've been lurking for a while, and love the site and the boards! Just wanted to ask for help with naps.</p> <p>My LO is just over 4 months now and we've been sleep training for about 10 days using CIO with checks, doing nights and naps at the same time. His night sleep improved fairly quickly, and he is pretty good at self-soothing now and falls asleep with little to no crying usually. He's getting around 9-10.5 hrs of sleep per night.</p> <p>However, in the past few days, the length of his naps have gotten worse. He used to take 1.5-2 hr naps, but now his naps are usually 20-40 mins (rarely 1 hr). Even his morning nap, which was usually the longest, is short. His naps total anywhere from 2.75-4.75 hrs per day.</p> <p>I know that his naps are expected to get shorter during sleep training, but was wondering why they got worse 7+ days into it (instead of right at the beginning when he was more tired).</p> <p> I've tried pushing his bedtime earlier in case he is overtired and catching up on sleep debt (we started with a 7:30 pm bedtime and have moved it back to about 6:45--he resisted a 6:15 bedtime when we tried.) I've also tried letting him CIO when he wakes up early from naps, but he gets so worked up he rarely falls back asleep.</p> <p>Any suggestions? thanks! </p>