6 m.o. Started Waking 30 Minutes into Each Nap

Updated on December 13, 2006
C.P. asks from Dallas, TX
5 answers

My now 6 month old son has always been a great napper...sometimes taking 3+ hour naps and always getting at least 3-4 hours of naps in each day. Suddenly, he has started waking at exactly 30 minutes into his naps, morning and afternoon. He sleeps well at night, going down at 7:15-7:30pm and waking at 7:30am, with one feeding around 2am or 3am. He did use to wake up anywhere from 6:30 to 7:00, but has since started sleeping a little later in the morning. He has just started to get on all fours and rock, so I think he may try to crawl soon. Is this developmental milestone something that can change the naps? Sometimes, after 30 minutes, he is just awake and cooing and ready to get up, other times, he is crying/fussing and seems to still want to sleep. I can pick him up and rock him and get him to go back to sleep, but he usually wakes when I try to put him back down in his crib and he acts as if he is wide awake and ready to get up. He can get cranky between naps and seems to need more sleep, but he won't stay asleep for nap time. This has been going on for over a week and I truly feel that he is cheating himself out of much-needed sleep.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.L.

answers from Dallas on

C. - you didn't say whether he takes 2 or 3 naps. It's probably time to start the 2 nap a day plan. with the first nap starting 2 hours after waking(likely 9). Then, wake him from first nap after no more than 2 hours (11-ish). Put him down at 2 for the second nap (waking no later than 4). If he wakes during a nap and cries, he needs to know how to put himself back down. Does he know how to put himself back to sleep at night or do you need to put him back down? It may be time for some sleep training to teach him to calm himself back down if not. I found from that age on, it was better to not go in. Because there's no light cue (darkness at night) to tell them it's time to get up, your even entrance to the room says it's ok to wake up. Does that make any sense? If that deosn't work, it may make sense to try a 3 nap schedule instead (even if it's going backwards) until he can stay asleep longer).

If you haven't read it, I can't say enough about Weissbluth's book.

Other random thoughts - is he putting himself down or are you rocking him down. And do you have a "nap routine" either a song, prayer, "goodnight bear" stuff, etc. to give him the cues that it's time to wind down and go to sleep?

He may also be teething. Have you tried some tylenol at nap time? I don't think the anbesol lasts more than a minute.

So sorry. May just be phase, but don't be afraid to knock the routine around a little. I know it's scary to mess with when you have a such a good night sleeper! Good luck!

(I think I know you C. P. If so, call me to discuss. It SUX - just when you think you've got it all figured out..)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

Wow, looks like you already got some great advice. I also can't say enough great things about Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weisbluth. I started reading his book at about the age/stage your at and it helped me a lot. I will also say that some kids just don't nap more than 30-45 min at this stage. My son didn't start taking 1-2 hour naps until we actually dropped to one nap a day at around 10 months. Prior to that I just had to deal with short naps which was hard when you hear about other kids taking 2-3 hour naps. I bet it really hard for you considering he used to take long naps. It got better for us, and hopefully it will for you too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Dallas on

You might want to get his ears checked. Waking soon after going to sleep (being laid down) can be a sign of an ear infection, especially if he if fussy/crying when he wakes up.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Actually that sounds pretty normal to me. They go through fases like everything else. He just wants to experience the world. I wouldn't worry unless he is awake all day and all night.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Dallas on

She could be feeling bad. I would look for others signs/symptoms, such as changes in diapers and/or eating. This is exactly what my DD did when she was feeling poorly (with GERD). Basically, she would sleep for half an hour cuz she HAD to get some sleep but she felt to bad to sleep anymore. I could also get her back to sleep at times, but rarely could lay her down. Once we got her GERD treated, she sleept like a champ.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches