5 Month Old Fighting Naps

I would try to keep her awake it was been over 1 1/2 years since my last one was that little so im a little rusty but try keeping her wake for a longer time. This is what I did and it helped. Hope it helps.

My 5-1/2 mo. old started taking less naps too. He wakes up at 6:30 am back to bed and then he is up at 8:30 am. He does not nap again till 1 or 2 but then he sleeps for 2-3 hrs. He might take a 30 min nap after his 6pm feeding but then goes to bed around 9:30pm. He is also still waking up at 3 am, I think he is just stuck on that.

If she seems more fussy when she wakes up, maybe she has started teething. Or, it could be that she is transitioning to a schedule where she will take fewer naps during the day, but longer naps...in other words, a 2 hour nap before lunch and another 2 hour nap in the late afternoon. My 5 month old has also recently started waking up at night around 2AM & 4AM but he will just fuss for a few minutes and then go back to sleep. I don't pick him up and don't let him see me checking on him (unless he is getting really fired up). I'm a first time mom, and all I've learned so far is that every time I think I have my baby's patterns & schedules figured out, he changes again! Also, if you are breast feeding, try to think if you have changed anything in your diet recently.

Hi J.. I have a 3 yr old who has always fought me on the nap thing! Try putting her to bed a little later at night. If she is waking up around 11 p.m., she might just be not quite ready to go to sleep for the night. See if this works, then maybe she will put herslef on a sleep schedule that includes a nap and fewer wake-up times at night. It's worth a try, but kids at this age have their own little way of doing things so be patient. It may take a while. Good Luck.

My guess is that she needs fewer naps. Generally if they don't sleep as long and wake up happy, are hard to get down to sleep, they need a change in schedule. Then again, it is normal for them to go through weird phases where they sleep weird and then go back to normal! Maybe try cutting back on naps a little bit. How many is she taking during the day? Maybe try to cut out a nap or something. If she's really fussy or agitated, I would bet she is teething. Doesn't mean she'll actually cut teeth, but when the teeth move in their gums, it can make it really uncomfortable for them.

hi J.-
Well I don't know if I have advice or sympathy for you. My son is 7 months old and has never really taken good naps. Up until about a week ago he would cry and fight sleep ALL DAY LONG. he would be so sleepy he would be out a like 5 in the afternoon. It has gotten a little better lately he now will take about 2 15- 20 minute naps in morning and afternoon and 1 hour to hour and half nap about noon. Unfortunately for some reason now he wakes up two and three times a nigth again when before he only woke up once. I wish I could tell you a trick but from my experince there is always a catch.

I experienced the same thing with both of my daughters around the same age. Right now your little girl is between growth spurts & feeling good, so enjoy her happiness while you can. When she hits another growth spurt and/or starts teething in a few months she will want to sleep alot again. As for her nighttime sleeping troubles, you should consider her sleeping conditions. If the temperature in her room is just right, and she has clean comfy pajamas and still wakes several times, maybe you should try letting her sleep between mommy & daddy. I know many people don't like to do it, but both of my children have slept in our bed since their births, and they've ALWAYS slept through the night. And if the thought of YOU waking your daughter for a nighttime feeding isn't amazing enough, think about waking up with your precious bundle in the mornings. It really is the sweetest experience in the world, not to mention a wonderful bonding experience. We all sleep so well at night that waking up together is our favorite part of the day.

Hi J.,

I highly recommend the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth. I read it all the time, and it has really helped me know what's going on with the babies and their sleep.

Good luck!
C.

OH my gosh J., I just had to tell you that you are not alone!!! I was relieved to read your post actually, because my daughter turned 5 months a few days ago, and for about a week I have not been able to get her to stay asleep!! She is also waking up more at night too, I think I am going to go crazy here!! Although it could be more about her whiny 20 month old brother, but who can say:)! Anyway, I dont have any suggestions, just wanted you to know that this is apparently common..either that or our little angels were cut from the same mold!! Lets keep each other posted if we figure out something that will work! Maybe it will be short lived...lets hope:) ~A.~