DD also usually wakes between 5 and 6 (after 10-11 hours of sleep, with one feed at around 1am). I then take her into my bed where she gets a BF and then sleeps for another hour or two. So you could try that.
And I also have to say that if she doesn't wanna go to sleep, I don't persist anymore. Not now that she's older. If she seems to resist sleep, I try and distract her, go for a walk around the block, then try again. Otherwise I just get too frustrated.
I second the recommendations for those 2 books. I love Pinky McKay's advice, very gentle, but tangible suggestions.
And I also second the sling idea. Your DS might be a little old to introduce them, though. So just try it out and see how you go. I'm not sure how strong you are. I could imagine if you haven't been doing babywearing regularly, starting with a heavy 9 months old might be tough. So make sure you get a really comfy one like a HAB or an Ergo. Especially the Ergo seems to be great with older bubs.
Does he sleep in his car seat?
Don't listen to the CC brigade. You have stuck it out for this long. An end is in sight. It might just need some gentle tweaking to your routines to make a difference.
And for what it's worth, I don't personally know ANY baby that you can just put into their cots and they roll over and sleep. Upon further questioning, even the mums who insist on having ideal sleepers, admit to either a few night settling moments, or to continued crying or to the baby using props that they have been taught to use as mummy substitutes (like being extremely attached to a certain Teddy, or not being able to go anywhere without a dummy).
I hope sleep will improve in your household soon.
Sasa
Thanks ladies for your advise. I have both sleeping like a baby and no cry sleep solution books and have tried everything but it does not change his habbits. He isnt too bad at night, he will sleep 12 hours with between 2-6 wake ups, but soon as I put the dummy in he usually rolls over and goes to sleep, unless he is teething. So Im not too sure if putting him down earlier for his first nap would work, as he has just had 12 hours, although Im willing to give anything a try!
When he was little, he would only sleep in a sling but now there is no way he would stay in one of those, and he is also 11.6kgs!!
I just get so frustrated during the day beacuse I know he should be getting 2 x 1.5 hours of naps and he only has 2 x 30 mins ( which takes me an hour or so to actually get him to sleep ) He cries when he wakes beacause he is so tired but he just refuses to go back to sleep. I know he can self settle as he sometimes does this at night time when I put him down, although it is proberly because he is so exhausted from the day. I have had his ear pressure checked and is all clear. The child health nurse doesnt know what else to suggest either. Some people say it is behavioural, but I wonder how can it be if he has been like this since 4 weeks old?
Lots of hugs your way! It does sound like a difficult situation.
My DD often sleeps for 13 o3 14 hours at night (with the extra couple of hours in the morning), so it is not impossible. Especially if she had a night where she woke up more than once or twice.
In the daytime, at his age, she would sleep 2x 2-3 hours . So some babies just seem to need more sleep than others. But, when I took the luxury and had a nap with her, she'd sleep for up to 3.5 hours. By herself, she'd go for 2 hours max, and even that meant resettling her once. So could you try lying down with him every now and then (might be good for you, too).
Some babies are easier aroused than others. So I wonder whether his short naps have anything to do with more noise around him (birds, cars, you washing dishes, etc.) and more light.
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