Short Napper

Don't even worry about it. I was exactly like you and read all these books about nap times and how many times and how many hours based on age. What it comes down to is every baby is different. And although it doesn't seem like it, a LOT of babies are short nappers. They start napping longer when they get older. My daughter only napped for 25 minutes 3-4 times a day for a long time, but she started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks. She now takes an hour to 2 hour naps in the day 2-3 times a day and sleeps 11 hours straight at night. Also, the person who wrote, put them down right at the first signs of being tired is right. And put her down EARLY at night. You'd think she'll sleep through better if you put her down at 10pm, but in all honesty, I put my baby down at 7:30 or 8pm and she wakes up at 7am or later. Don't worry about it. The only thing that's happening is that you may be a little tired in the day, but have a family member watch her while you nap. She's fine!

Seriously, I think it's such a myth that babies take these long, great naps. My son didn't until he was about 9 months old and so many of my friends tell me the same thing! If your baby seems happy and is growing, relax and go with the flow.

If she wasn't fussy and cranky when she woke up I would say your baby is a short napper and don't worry (up until a week ago, my 3 month old son only took 45 min naps but wakes up fine). Try going in right before she normally wakes up and sooth her back to sleep with binky or similar. Give her 10 or so mins to have a chance to fall back asleep. Sometimes that's worked for us. They go thru sleep cycles and sometimes wake up in between them. 2 hrs of naps a day is ok as longs as she is sleeping around 10-12 hrs at night. Mine takes about 3 hours worth of naps and sleep almost 12 hours at night. Also, make sure you put her down at the FIRST signs of being tired, you'd think they'd sleep longer if they are super tired but its the opposite. Hope that helped!! :)

My daughter had trouble napping since she was born too. You can try solid foods, age appropriate, of course or some kind of relaxation sound; fan, water trikle ect.
But to be honest, my daughter never took naps. Only when she was tired she would (that seemed to not be too often) and still at age 5, she has never been a napper. Children are all so different and books are guidelines so don't be worried. I'm a napper and have been since I was born but my daughter isn't and it's ok. Just make sure you can get one in here and there so you can keep up with your little one! :) Take care

Buy the book Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. It is really rigid but it helps get babies on an optimum sleep schedule.

I agree with the last post.

From 3mo to now 6mo old, my baby usually takes 30 min naps. I think its GREAT b/c I can run errands and still get out of the house w/o being trapped for hours if she were napping for longer. There is nothing abnormal or wrong w/short nappers. If your baby seems overtired, put her down sooner--as soon as she starts acting fussy--no matter what time of day. My 6mo old will only be up for 1-3 hours before going down for her first nap, and at 4-5mo, was on a 3 hour cycle of wake-nap-eat...

I don't know how your babe sleeps at night, but try to make sure she goes to bed early enough (early to sleep is late to rise).

When my son napped for 10 minutes(!!) at a time and I was determined to keep him in that crib for at least an hour, I just kept putting him back to sleep when he woke up. I would go in, pop the binkie back in his mouth (LOVE the binkie) rewrap/reposition him on his side (with the bolsters, putting him on his side really calmed him down...he still sleeps on his side!) and DID NOT pick him up. I read somewhere about not picking them up but just rubbing/patting their backs. This all took some work and didn't necessarily happen in a day or two. I think moms get frustrated very quickly and don't ever want the babies to be in distress for any length of time. We have to train them to be good sleepers. The sooner baby girl figures out that you won't get her out of bed (esp when she crabs), the sooner she'll calm down (fingers crossed). Don't give in or give up :)