Thanks so much for responding. Our baby is all over the map. After 10 minutes of sound sleeping in the wrap, I transfer her to the swing with white noise and vibration. I feel like I'm doing everything right. Yesterday, no longer than 40 minute naps. Today, 90!!! Who knows...
Here's what I got from the website and thanks for posting the link - I wouldn't have even known where to look!
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The fact that your baby falls asleep with your help and then sleeps between 30 to 50 minutes are two factors that combine to define the main cause of these mini-naps: an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep without aid. Your baby wakes fully at the end of the first sleep cycle, resulting in a too-short nap. I refer to this problem as One-Cycle Sleep Syndrome (OCSS) and most common among young babies.
There are a number of ways to fix OCSS. One way to help your baby sleep longer is to put her for a nap in a setting that will lull her back to sleep when she wakes between sleep cycles. Cycle-Blender naps occur in slings, cradle-swings, rocking cradles, strollers, or baby hammocks. Any of these can help cat-nappers extend their sleep time because when Baby begins to awaken the rhythmic motion can lull her back to sleep.
Once your baby gets used to taking a longer nap with movement, you can make a transition to bed naps. Start by reducing the movement -- less intensity and for less time. After your baby is asleep, you can stop the motion. Resume movement if she begins to wake up mid-nap. Over time, you can start to let your baby fall asleep in the stationary cradle, swing or stroller, and soon, the nap habit will be in place.
When it is time to make the move to putting your baby for naps in the crib, there are steps you can take to help your baby accept this new location. Use a padded crib mattress pad and soft flannel sheets to make the surface more welcoming. Play soft music or white noise, such as recordings of ocean waves, and keep the room darkened during naps. All this will encourage sleep.
