Jenny and I have been having lots of success with getting her daytime napping into a better rhythm over the last few weeks.
Several weeks ago I was at my wits end with holding Jenny through her unhealthy catnaps.
She was tired and grumpy from being overtired because she was not getting the daytime rest that her little body needs.
I felt terrible complaining about her, though, because she is a wonderful sleeper at night (most nights, anyway). She usually sleeps completely through the night and I am very thankful for that. BUT healthy sleep for babies includes two components that are both important.
1. Nighttime sleep
and
2. Daytime naps
Having regular daytime naps are important for babies to get the rest they desperately need and also for their cognitive development.
Also, getting the needed daytime naps helps promote better nighttime sleep.
It seems that as soon as my babies are born I become a student constantly studying them. I watch them for what works and what doesn’t work. When something isn’t working, I begin to research how to make it better. I look online. I ask friends and family. And I read books.
Then I set to work to make a change.
Over the last few weeks I have gone from having a baby who is tired and fussy, wanting to be held for every single 30 minute catnap throughout the day to having a baby who is happy and well rested and is taking naps in her crib lasting up to an hour and a half.
Here are some things that worked for us to achieve better naps for Jenny.
Eat, Play, Sleep Routine
Having a routine that you follow each day is of utmost importance. The use of a routine is significantly better than trying to follow a schedule. A routine is a pattern that you follow. For babies, the ultimate routine which promotes better sleep is Eat, Play and Sleep. So, when Jenny wakes up in the morning, I feed her, she plays, and when signals that she is sleepy, then she goes down for a nap. When she wakes from her nap, I feed her, she plays, and then the goes down for another nap when she’s tired. This pattern continues throughout the day.
Watch for Tired Signs
It is important that you know when your baby is tired in order to put them to sleep before they reach the point of becoming overtired. When a baby is overtired, they take much longer and put up a much bigger fight before nodding off to sleep. After Jenny has been awake for about 45 minutes I begin to watch her for signs that she is tired and start to put her down at that point. Some signs to look for are slowing down in activity level, getting quiet, losing interest in whatever they have been playing with, rubbing their eyes, zoning out, and beginning to fuss.
Naptime Routine
There’s that word routine again! Routines are so very important to babies. They crave sameness just like we do. Have a routine of doing the same exact calming things before every nap. For us, I carry Jenny into her room, turn off the lights, turn on her lullaby music, and sway or rock her just a bit. Then I lay her down in the crib with her paci and her lovey.
Lay Down Awake
This was so hard for me to do and points out one of the biggest mistakes that I was making with Jenny. For continuous sleep, babies need to actually fall asleep in the same place where they will wake up. That means that if your goal is for them to sleep in their crib for their naps, you need to lay them down when they’re still awake in the crib and allow them to fall asleep there.
Now, I haven’t been doing Cry It Out with Jenny. If you’re not in favor of this method, they’re are ways that you can help your baby to sleep without it. I don’t think it’s terrible, I do believe that it should be a last resort, though, and should be used on babies that can soothe themselves and are older than 4 months.
Once I give Jenny her paci and lovey and she is settled with those, I leave the room. If she begins crying, I return to pat her and usually replace the paci for her. But I don’t pick her up unless she is just absolutely refusing to settle.
Know What to Expect
This one is a biggie for me. It helps me to know “the norm†of what babies are expected to do during each stage. For example, at around 3 to 4 months of age, it is perfectly normal for babies to have around 4 naps. The naps are starting to lengthen and get more regular at this point. It would be completely unreasonable for me to expect Jenny (at three and a half months old) to have only two day time naps, lasting two hours each. A resource I trust for this information is Family Sleep.
Naps are getting better for us, although some days {today} are still a struggle. I just keep reminding myself that things are getting better each day and they’ll probably never be perfect. Perfection doesn’t allow us to learn and grow.
I’m learning to love and cherish each day, each moment I have not only with Jenny, but with each of my children….nap or no nap!
Post linked to: Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family
Kimberly says
{ stopping by from Hip Homeschool Hop }
Yeah! on getting a good nap routine! It sure makes the day happier. I know I’m happy when I get a good nap.
Amy Steiner says
It is so nice when little ones nap! My oldest was always an excellent napper. My youngest…well, it’s been hit or miss! 🙂
Hopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop to say “hi”! Have a great day!!
.-= Amy Steiner´s last blog ..Gratituesday- The Cross =-.
Jessica says
Hurray on getting sweet Jenny to sleep in her crib for daytime naps! 🙂 We have found the Eat, Play, Sleep Routine to be SO very helpful here too… & I completely agree on watching for those tired signs, laying baby down AWAKE & having a nap-time routine!!
Blessings,
Jessica
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Baby Charts…Keeping Track of All My Babies =-.
Larri at Seams Inspired says
Glad she’s napping for you! Don’t forget to take a nap yourself. 🙂 The laundry and dishes will wait on you. 😉 Visiting from iFellowship. Happy Wednesday! 🙂 Larri at Seams Inspired
Penny says
Monica, you are so wise!!! We did the eat, play, sleep routine and it gives them such a sense of security and you a sense of stability!
Way to go!
Visiting from iFellowship! Have a great Wednesday!
your sis in the faith,
pen
.-= Penny´s last blog ..Becoming a Woman of Refinement =-.
Bonni says
I am your newest follower! Would love for you to check out my blog and do the same! I’m also going to Relevant 10!
.-= Bonni´s last blog ..Is Gods arm too short =-.
Steph says
What good tips for moms! Thanks for sharing. I am stopping by from ifellowship. =)
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Pictures From The Pages =-.
Muthering Heights says
I’m glad you’re making progress with her! 🙂
Angela Mackey says
This is exactly what I did with my kids and they are still all great sleepers. They are 7, 4, and 2. Glad you found something that works for you!