napping and schedule frustrations at 5 months

[Anonymous]

I am curious as to why 5 month olds are even on nap schedules? I thought they did not need to go down at certain times at such a young age. I have a 5 month old and I just wait for cues of fatigue (i.e. eye rubbing, yawning, etc.) If I don't see any of this after 2.5-3 hours, I put her down for a nap anyhow and she usually sleeps after a few minutes of crying. Are we supposed to have our 5 month old babies on nap schedules? I thought they did not fall into nap routines until 6 or 9 or 12 months? Can someone help me with this.

[Anonymous]

PP, sounds like you're doing just fine following the cues. My guess is that if you charted the times at which your DC is going down for naps, you will realize that she actually does have you on some sort of schedule!

[Anonymous]

20:10 poster here. Thanks to 20:22 poster. There is about a 1 hour variance (at most usually) in the naps. I did not realize that was considered a schedule. Thanks. I would love to put her down at exact times, but I can't see that as working at all as she lets me know very loud and clear when I put her down for a nap if she is not ready for it.

[Anonymous]

a quick reference to the statement I made above about SIDS:

/www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T131000.asp