AM and PM nap question

so at what age does DC get into a routine with regards to AM and PM naptimes. right now my son is 5 1/2 weeks and he still eats and sleep pretty much whenever he wants (although eating is consistent with him getting a bottle every 3 -3 1/2 hours during the day and between 4-5 hours at night so i am more asking about naptimes), i know he is to young for a schedule yet, but i wasnt sure at what age it happens. also did you dictate it or did they just adjust and make their own schedule?
Thanks!

Re: AM and PM nap question

At that age DS was too young for me to see a pattern.

At 12 weeks, he sleeps abput 9 hrs at night and takes about 3-4 45 minute naps during the day.

I read somewhere that they are usually ready for an AM nap about 2 hrs after they wake up.

Re: AM and PM nap question

I always and still do feed on demand, both girls.

For my oldest-she set her schedule, I noticed a pattern prob around 4-5 months old.

I also have a 4 week old and she pretty much eats/sleeps every 2-3 hours during the day and goes a bit longer at night.

Message edited 8/6/2007 1:53:34 PM.

Re: AM and PM nap question

At 9 weeks my DS started to have a routine that seems to be preparing us for a schedule.

He wakes up at 6am - eats and by 9am goes down for a nap. At around 12 he goes down for another nap and then we try at 3pm as well. We try to have him awake at 5/5:30 since we start the bedtime routine at 7pm.

But prior to 9 weeks we were going by the signs...for feeding and sleep. When he seemed tired we put him down whenever it was. We just started noticing by 9 weeks that he seemed tired around the same time each day and so we are now trying to keep that time consistent and help him to sleep.

Re: AM and PM nap question

It's still too early.

Babies real a milestone in brain development at 3 months where the sleeping becomes even more important than the feeding.

At about that time, babies lose the ability to just drop off like newborns do. Due to their newfound love os socialization they would rather spend time with you but this can lead to overstimulation and the ever dreaded meltdowns... witching hour, fussiness etc. which is just very often overtiredness.

At about 3-5 months 3 naps should develop.
Wake
1-2 hours later nap approx 9 am
wake
1-2 hours later long early afternoon nap around noon, give or take an hour
wake
1-2 hours later, late afternoon nap of short duration about 45 minutes.

I found "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" to be very helpful in guiding me on this. The book was right on about my kids... 3 naps a day, for now