Trouble with 10 Week Old Napping

Hi

I'm not sure I am reading your post correctly. Are you saying that she is tired and ready for a nap within an hour of waking from the previous nap? This seems like a lot of sleep in a short space of time and not enough wake time. She may have been doing this in the early weeks but it would seem to me that she is not ready to go back to sleep, her routine/nap time could be changing as she is approaching the 3 month stage. A yawn doesn't always mean they want/need to go back to sleep , I would wait it out for a bit longer and have her spend some time on her playmat while you play with your son.

Good luck

K.

At 10 weeks, a baby is not ready for a nap within an hour of waking.

I don't have a good answer about how you can get her to sleep, but I want to offer a few words of encouragement.

An hour of wakefulness seems about right to me. My son could last only 45 minutes at that age. I had a really hard time when he was 8-10 weeks old because it seemed like his naps were getting harder, not easier--he seemed to resist napping even though it was pretty clear he was tired. I was frustrated and couldn't figure out what to do, but it resolved itself within a few weeks as I continued to get better at reading his cues. I don't fully remember, but I think his wake periods got a little longer as the day went on.

My son also had a harder time settling himself to sleep for his naps late in the day. That, too, eventually got better.

Good for you for watching for her signs and putting her down when she's drowsy. At that age, my son was probably up for about an hour and a half at a time. A lot of people thought I was crazy for putting him down so soon after waking, but ultimately I had a very happy and well rested baby, so I knew I was doing the right thing. I think the wake time was shorter in the morning, and probably longer in the afternoon (closer to two hours?). And I do remember the resistance of the afternoon naps. This isn't really helpful, is it? Just wanted you to know that I think you're doing a great job, what you're experiencing is normal, and will probably work itself out just after you finish going crazy trying to figure it out! :) If she cries and you pick her up and she misses the nap....is she then tired and cranky? If so, that tells you she NEEDED the nap, even though she resisted. Just continue to be persistent and consistent....she'll get the hang of it eventually. Good luck!

She is only 10 weeks old! A new person to the world doesn't know what's going on....and at 10 weeks, I would give her the attention and time she needs - if she cries, pick her up - it shouldn't interfere with your two year old - you can have them in the same room if the 10 week old isn't sleepy...just give the toddler something to play with - a craft, a snack, some crayons or something and you can hold baby and sit with him while he does his activity. If the 2 year old is also trying to nap, then keep them in separate areas - have him nap in his room and then take the baby out and have her somewhere else not to disturb him. Really, at 10 weeks, you're lucky the baby is sleeping at night, and she is just forming her own schedule, so it will take some adjustments during the day, but I would just hang in there...she probably needs ess sleep time and more mommy time. :)