"scheduling" naptimes?

[lemontree]

My baby is three months old.

He will sometimes take naps in my arms after nursing/in the stroller when we go for a walk (most of the time....)and in the car (when he isn't hating the car seat) The naps tend to be pretty short--although I have been taking him for a daily walk for an hour and he has been sleeping through it. Basically--if the kid is moving, he might fall asleep.

We live in a very hilly area and honestly I have a hard time taking multiple daily walks. I use the moby in the house but lately he only likes it if I am bouncing, dancing, walking quickly around my living room...

My question is: sometimes I like to be still. I have not stopped moving all day every day since he was 2 weeks old. Is 3 mths too young to try and organize naptimes? How many and when? I'm thinking a couple/few catnaps after nursing and one morning walk nap (an hour or so) and then trying to lay down with him around 330 and get another one?

The reason I ask is mostly because he gets super crabby around 5 and by then I am exhausted and evenings/nights end up being huge bummers for everyone. It's like he wakes up happy every morning and goes to bed sad Maybe he needs a more organized sleep schedule in the day hours? I dunno, I am at a loss. Any thoughts?

[pastrygirl]

I started putting my baby down somewhat regularly at just under 3 months. The first nap came easily -- he made it quite clear that he wants to be asleep by 8:30 every morning! He only naps for 30 minutes, but it's guaranteed.

After a few days, I quickly learned that he can only handle about an hour of awake time, so I either put him down for another 30-minute nap, or wear him for a slightly longer nap. But like you, I have to keep moving while wearing him and sometimes I just want to SIT. Most days I just do the 30-min nap, 1-hour awake, 30-min nap cycle, though I just found a carrier that doesn't hurt my back so I plan to wear him for a nice long afternoon nap. Sometimes he lets me sit in the rocker so I can snooze or read. (He will NOT co-sleep with me for naps! It's so frustrating...)

I'm still waiting for a nap longer than 30 minutes. His last nap of the day is usually at around 5. Bedtime is around 7pm.