Bad Sleeper

Updated on January 17, 2011
H.X. asks from San Clemente, CA
5 answers

my 5 month old sleeps less than my three year old. She's down by about 9:00 p.m., wakes usually twice in the night to feed, then up at 6:30. Then its three cat naps. If I'm lucky she'll take one long nap in the day, but lately, she does three 10-30 min naps. My other daughter napped like a champ (three one hour naps). I'm really missing those breaks in the day. Is it normal for such a young baby to take such short naps?

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M.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think the short answer is that Yes it is normal - as long as it doesn't last long. My son who is now 18 months and usually a champion sleeper, has gone through periods like what you're describing since he was born. Just when I think I can't take it another week because I'm exhausted and getting nothing done, his schedule changed and he would be sleeping half the day away. At about this age I let my son nap in his swing and he always napped longer there. Might be worth a try if you have one. I would place my bets on your little one's schedule changing to one that's better for you soon.

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C.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Check out the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It saved our sanity! He covers birth through teen years. You'll find a ton of suggestions for helping your baby sleep longer! Good luck!

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

They change so much over the months that it may not last too long. I would make sure she is staying full enough. Also noise...maybe she is light in sleeping due to noise. Hmmmmm..... seems so young to not sleep too much in the day. Ask the ped.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Is she feeding well, on-demand, latching on properly, and you have enough milk? If not... then this affects them and they will not be getting enough intake, daily.

And, if not, a baby will always be hungry....not satisfied even after feedings = can't sleep well.

Or if over-tired or over-stimulated (babies get over stimulated real quick), then this can affect sleep/naps too.

She's real young... babies usually nap a lot.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I don't know if it's normal, but I had two kids, a boy and a girl, 10 years apart and neither of them were day sleepers. My kids slept all night so I always just figured it was a trade off.
Sleep patterns change so much during the first year, not to mention the more they get older. The more alert they become, the less they feel the need to sleep.
Just encourage laying her down at the same time every day whether she sleeps or not and don't feel you have to rush in every time she fusses. She may get better at it as time goes on. But, maybe not.
There are little ones that easily go down and sleep like clock work, but mine didn't. They just got used to their rest time none the less.
There are two things you can't force a child to do.
One is sleep and the other is eat.
Let your little one continue to have rest time whether actual sleep is involved or not.

It worked with my kids.
Best wishes.

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