3 1/2 Month Old Takes Really Long Afternoon Nap

I also have a 3 1/2 month old, and he is just settling into a routine. Short morning nap (30min-1 hr), longer afternoon nap (1-2 hrs) and a short evening nap (30 min). What I pay attention to, particularly for the longer afternoon nap is how long he's gone between feedings rather than how long he's sleeping. (I also exclusively breastfeed.)That way I can feed him more during the day so that he needs less at night. I usually feed him between 2-3 hours during the day, and I will get him up from his nap to nurse if it has been 3 hours (sometimes he will nurse & sleep more, waking him doesn't bother him at all). It might be worth trying if you want to get more feedings in during the day rather than at night. Of course, these little guys always want to keep us on our toes! Two nights ago, he woke more frequently at night, and went through a spurt of wanting to eat every hour during the day. Maybe they're going through growth spurts? Then last night he went from 7pm to 5am, his longest night yet! I don't think that will stick, but it gives me hope. :)

"Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth is an excellent resource for sleep issues. It was given to me by another mother, and has helped me through two kids now (including a colicky infant). You can find it in most bookstores, inexpensive used copies online at Amazon, and perhaps even in your local library. Your infant won't get on a better sleep routine until at least 4 months, since at that point she's developed enough to sleep at least 6 hours without needing to eat, and she's capable of self-soothing. After about 4 months, it's best to wake a baby from their afternoon nap by 5p, to help them get to bed at a better hour. We actually put our first child to bed between 530p and 6p, even after a late afternoon nap, and he would sleep forever. Our second - the colicky one - had more trouble falling asleep on his own, but he's much better now. We put him to bed around 630p and he'll sleep until 730a. Generally an early bedtime is better for babies because they'll actually sleep longer and better. :)

I have beeen caring for children for 20 yrs and since october, I have been excusivly working with the age group 3-6 months.

A 3-4 hour nap is not uncommon at that age and is not indicative of any particular problem. Remeber when babies are sleeping they are growing.

If you would like her to sleep longer at night you can pump breast milk into a bottle and add cereal to her evening feedings. Your pediatrician can help you decide which kind to start with.
As for bottles Advent, Medela, and Dr. Browns seem to work best for reusable bottles and Playtex for disposables. Medela also makes a disposable but they have a tendacy to fall out the bottom when full. If your child has a very small mouth I would start with Dr. Browns.
You may have to go through several bottles trying each kind consistantly, at every feeding for a few days at a time before you find the right fit.

Hope this is helpful!
L.

Girl let me tell you that both of my boys from birth were sleepers and nappers. My five year old still takes 2-3 hour naps every day. Some babies either nap multiple times a day and others seem like they sleep all day. I wouldnt be worried unless you realize the baby isnt getting correct sleep. I say ask your doc if you are concerned because you know your baby best. But it sounds like this baby LOVES HER SLEEP!!!

I say let her be. The more sleep she gets the better she will be at sleeping later. It sounds weird but I know loads of moms who've done this and all their kids are great nappers as toddlers.

My 3 month old is on a very similar schedule. I say let her sleep. Now I do wake my baby, if he has slept longer than 4 hours, so I can feed him. My babies always ate a lot the last couple hours before they went to sleep at night, so I think that is normal. I guess they are getting their littler tummies full so they can sleep longer.