Visitor here w/a question about scheduling naps

JenniferM · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 12:29 PM

Hey girls! I know some of you

but I am new for posting over here. I am looking for some feedback. Oliver is 5 weeks old; i go to work when he turns 3 mos old. I want him on a pretty good nap/eating schedule (at least during my work hours) so my au pair can have him be predictable and know when he is hungry vs. sleepy. He is a very easy baby and doesn't really fuss unless he is hungry or tired. That said~ I am wondering, am i rediculously crazy for trying to get him to nap at 9AM and 1PM (more naps at night if he chooses to, which he will)? I am currently using the swing right now to help aid in this process (not worried about him not sleeping in the crib b/c he does this too). The swing kind of helps induce him into a sleep when on this timeline. My other boys nap at 1 as well.

Also~ does anyone know anything about babies sleeping in 45 minute increments? Someone told me this and it seems to be pretty true from what i have experienced with Jack and Oliver. Any thoughts/advice...would be great! Thank you ladies!!!

Kristen02 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 07:21 PM

Hi Jennifer, Welcome to the board! I read your post, and can understand you wanting a consistent nap/feeding routine for Oliver to make life easier for the au pair. The under 4 month age range, really doesn't fit into the spectrum of this board because newborns under the age of 4 months old have unpredictable sleep patterns, and may sleep in long stretches or take short naps more frequently. This is mentioned in Weissbluth's book, "Happy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child", along with other sleep training books. The sleep part of the brain is still developing until 4 months of age. Oliver may need a nap every hour at this age. And while it's great that he is such a laid back baby (we all want one of those

), he may need you to coax more sleep into him, not less.

When he gets older, babies who are 4-6 months old can usually stay awake about an hour and a half between waking and the first nap, and 2 hours between additional naps. This translates into three naps a day, and is the earliest age that most babies can become scheduled.

Babies who are 6-8 months old can often stretch 2 hours in the morning and two and a half hours between naps. This would be the two naps a day at 9am and 1pm. This stretch is way too long for a baby Oliver's age, or even for a three month old. He can become chronically overtired and overstimulated during the day with these naptimes until he (along with his brain) is physically ready.

As long as the au pair knows this information, she should be able to put Oliver down for naps at the appropriate times as he reaches each new age range. I don't know if you agree with this advice, but it's what I've learned and experienced. You can take it or not take it

. I wish you all the best!

JenniferM · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 07:25 PM

That totally makes sense. I expect that he will be sleeping way more than just those 2 naps a day, but i want to try to make sure that the 2 of those many naps are at 9 and 1. I certainly dont' want to try to keep him awake or anything, if he falls asleep, well then, i can't fight that. But, i certainly can avoid some things that will induce sleep, like putting him in the swing or a long car ride, kwim?

Kristen02 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 07:23 PM

Got it

. I had misunderstood you, and I'm sorry about that. My son had his days and nights confused at that age, and I do remember having to keep him awake at certain times, so he would know it was daytime. It was near impossible though. You would need to be home an hour or so before those 9 and 1 times. You could keep him awake an hour beforehand with a light sponge bath, or playtime.

Rachel · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005, 03:10 PM

Kristen covered everything I think already....

You asked about 45 minutes of sleep, and yes that is the typical sleep cycle that a baby goes through. That's why many babies wake after 45 minutes... During nap times, when they are older, you can sleep train and that will help them stretch that nap to 60 - 90 minutes.