Scheduled nap time for infants

My triplets turn 7 mo. old this Friday. Is it possible to have them on a
nap schedule? (e.g. It's 10 o'clock, time for nap) Currently, I let them
get up in the morning whenever the wake up, unless it's after 9, then I wake
them up. I then put them down throughout the day whenever they display
tiredness. Of course, they are rarely all down at the same time, but the do
usually go to bed at night pretty close together. But even when they take
naps, their duration is different. Ben can sleep for hours, while I
consider myself lucky if Elena sleeps longer than 1/2 hour.

If it's possible, do you have any suggestions on how to accomplish this? Or
is it not worth it until they are older?

--

Gayle
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/d/datriplets/

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 12:19:38 GMT, "The Huwe Family"
wrote:

My triplets turn 7 mo. old this Friday. Is it possible to have them on a
nap schedule?

I only have a second -- if I find time later, I'll come back and try
to give you some info on what we did (and I've got two great nappers).

The best advice I can give you is to get a copy of the book Healthy
Sleep Habits, Healthy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. That book was
invaluable to us, in realizing that our twins were chronically
sleep-deprived and then fixing the situation.

I'll try to write more later.... crying baby beckons :-)

--
Paula
Mom to Olivia and Cassie (b. 4/8/03)
^Grace^ (b. 5/16/02 d. 5/17/02) and ^Adam^ (b/d. 5/17/02)

I can't remember when I started them on a scheduled nap, when they wake
up from their na in a little bit I will check their baby books, but
anyway, I just started putting them down right after lunch. In the
beginning they cried a bit, but eventually they understood and fell
asleep. Now, at 18 mos. they talk to each other for about an hour then
drift off for up to 2 hrs. Gives me a very nice 2-3 hour "break" in the
afternoon!

Megan~
Mommy to A & A
18 months old!!!

www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aidannalexis
***New Pictures 02/04***

I can't remember when I started them on a scheduled nap, when they wake
up from their na in a little bit I will check their baby books, but
anyway, I just started putting them down right after lunch. In the
beginning they cried a bit, but eventually they understood and fell
asleep. Now, at 18 mos. they talk to each other for about an hour then
drift off for up to 2 hrs. Gives me a very nice 2-3 hour "break" in the
afternoon!

Megan~
Mommy to A & A
18 months old!!!

www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aidannalexis
***New Pictures 02/04***

OK, now I have a little time. We recently went through this, so I know
how desperate you're probably feeling. My life has been so much nicer
since we got onto a good napping schedule.

We started the girls on a sleep schedule when they were 9 months/6
months adjusted. I realized after reading Weissbluth's book that they
weren't sleeping well because they were overtired ("sleep begets
sleep" is a favorite phrase of his).

To get the girls on a decent schedule, we had to move everything
earlier: wake time, nap times, bedtime. They get up no later than 7:00
am (usually they are awake around 6:30). If they're not up at 7, I get
them up to "protect" the morning nap, which is between 9-9:30. They
usually sleep until 10:30 or 11:00. Afternoon nap starts from 1-1:30,
and they generally sleep until 2:30 or 3:00. Bedtime is 7:00-7:30.

The most important things we've found -- a bit of protest crying is to
be expected, as the kids realize that it's much more fun to be *up*.
A routine before naps and bed, like reading, nursing/bottle, singing,
rocking -- whatever helps the kids relax -- can help signal them that
it's sleep time. Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Good luck!

--
Paula
Mom to Olivia and Cassie (b. 4/8/03)
^Grace^ (b. 5/16/02 d. 5/17/02) and ^Adam^ (b/d. 5/17/02)

Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Good point, Paula, that I forgot to mention. We did the same thing for
naps...one in his crib and one in the Pack 'n Play in another room.

Ellen
--------
Erin 6/26/95
Bradley & Alex 10/5/00

Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Good point, Paula, that I forgot to mention. We did the same thing for
naps...one in his crib and one in the Pack 'n Play in another room.

Ellen
--------
Erin 6/26/95
Bradley & Alex 10/5/00

In message on 20 Apr 2004, Paula
Johnson said to all at alt.parenting.twins-triplets

OK, now I have a little time. We recently went through this, so I know
how desperate you're probably feeling. My life has been so much nicer
since we got onto a good napping schedule.

We started the girls on a sleep schedule when they were 9 months/6
months adjusted. I realized after reading Weissbluth's book that they
weren't sleeping well because they were overtired ("sleep begets
sleep" is a favorite phrase of his).

To get the girls on a decent schedule, we had to move everything
earlier: wake time, nap times, bedtime. They get up no later than 7:00
am (usually they are awake around 6:30). If they're not up at 7, I get
them up to "protect" the morning nap, which is between 9-9:30. They
usually sleep until 10:30 or 11:00. Afternoon nap starts from 1-1:30,
and they generally sleep until 2:30 or 3:00. Bedtime is 7:00-7:30.

The most important things we've found -- a bit of protest crying is to
be expected, as the kids realize that it's much more fun to be *up*.
A routine before naps and bed, like reading, nursing/bottle, singing,
rocking -- whatever helps the kids relax -- can help signal them that
it's sleep time. Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Paula, I completely agree with your post! This sounds like what we did!

--

I'm Jonathan Wolgamuth and I approved this message.

"Come join me in my daily struggle for adequacity."

I agree with Paula too *except* I don't think you need a book and I have
known triplets who did just great getting up at 9am and going to bed at 10
at night ... I don't really think the time of day matters, it's the routine
that is the clincher -- and again, for us as for many others, separating
them at naptime (though only one was separated out for bedtime) was key.

At 7 months, we did:

7am up, bottle, food
9:15 or 9:30 or so nap
11am bottle, lunch
1:15 or 1:30 pm or so nap
3pm snack (dropped at about 9 months when they started to have "dinner" at
5pm instead)
5:15pm nap
7pm bottle and bed by about 9.

The precise hours may vary, and all kids are different, but we had ours on a
schedule, all napping at the same time, from birth, so I certainly don't
think that *with effort* and sticking to a new routine, 7 months could be
too young. And I think it has to be worth the effort, for your sanity's
sake.

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"Jonathan Wolgamuth" wrote in message
. 1...
In message on 20 Apr 2004, Paula
Johnson said to all at alt.parenting.twins-triplets

OK, now I have a little time. We recently went through this, so I know
how desperate you're probably feeling. My life has been so much nicer
since we got onto a good napping schedule.

We started the girls on a sleep schedule when they were 9 months/6
months adjusted. I realized after reading Weissbluth's book that they
weren't sleeping well because they were overtired ("sleep begets
sleep" is a favorite phrase of his).

To get the girls on a decent schedule, we had to move everything
earlier: wake time, nap times, bedtime. They get up no later than 7:00
am (usually they are awake around 6:30). If they're not up at 7, I get
them up to "protect" the morning nap, which is between 9-9:30. They
usually sleep until 10:30 or 11:00. Afternoon nap starts from 1-1:30,
and they generally sleep until 2:30 or 3:00. Bedtime is 7:00-7:30.

The most important things we've found -- a bit of protest crying is to
be expected, as the kids realize that it's much more fun to be *up*.
A routine before naps and bed, like reading, nursing/bottle, singing,
rocking -- whatever helps the kids relax -- can help signal them that
it's sleep time. Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Paula, I completely agree with your post! This sounds like what we did!

--

I'm Jonathan Wolgamuth and I approved this message.

"Come join me in my daily struggle for adequacity."

I agree with Paula too *except* I don't think you need a book and I have
known triplets who did just great getting up at 9am and going to bed at 10
at night ... I don't really think the time of day matters, it's the routine
that is the clincher -- and again, for us as for many others, separating
them at naptime (though only one was separated out for bedtime) was key.

At 7 months, we did:

7am up, bottle, food
9:15 or 9:30 or so nap
11am bottle, lunch
1:15 or 1:30 pm or so nap
3pm snack (dropped at about 9 months when they started to have "dinner" at
5pm instead)
5:15pm nap
7pm bottle and bed by about 9.

The precise hours may vary, and all kids are different, but we had ours on a
schedule, all napping at the same time, from birth, so I certainly don't
think that *with effort* and sticking to a new routine, 7 months could be
too young. And I think it has to be worth the effort, for your sanity's
sake.

--Janet
Elliot, Hanna, Connor (10/21/96)
and Holly (4/4/01)

"Jonathan Wolgamuth" wrote in message
. 1...
In message on 20 Apr 2004, Paula
Johnson said to all at alt.parenting.twins-triplets

OK, now I have a little time. We recently went through this, so I know
how desperate you're probably feeling. My life has been so much nicer
since we got onto a good napping schedule.

We started the girls on a sleep schedule when they were 9 months/6
months adjusted. I realized after reading Weissbluth's book that they
weren't sleeping well because they were overtired ("sleep begets
sleep" is a favorite phrase of his).

To get the girls on a decent schedule, we had to move everything
earlier: wake time, nap times, bedtime. They get up no later than 7:00
am (usually they are awake around 6:30). If they're not up at 7, I get
them up to "protect" the morning nap, which is between 9-9:30. They
usually sleep until 10:30 or 11:00. Afternoon nap starts from 1-1:30,
and they generally sleep until 2:30 or 3:00. Bedtime is 7:00-7:30.

The most important things we've found -- a bit of protest crying is to
be expected, as the kids realize that it's much more fun to be *up*.
A routine before naps and bed, like reading, nursing/bottle, singing,
rocking -- whatever helps the kids relax -- can help signal them that
it's sleep time. Also, if you need to, put them each in a different
room. Mine sleep overnight in the same room, but one naps in a Pack N
Play in my bedroom -- they were just winding each other up at naptime.

Paula, I completely agree with your post! This sounds like what we did!

--

I'm Jonathan Wolgamuth and I approved this message.

"Come join me in my daily struggle for adequacity."