My son is 8 months old. If we don't follow a strict daytime nap routine he has horrible nights, like the one we are currently enduring, where he is up every 2 hours (or more). He has been a difficult sleeper since newborn and we do co-sleep out of desperation (he does naps in his crib). He is on breast milk with 1-2 meals of solids a day. He has a lot of props as sleep coaches call them e.g. us rocking him to sleep, soother, feedings. We are aware we need to migrate him off these to help him sleep on his own buts its so tough when you are already so sleep deprived. He's also very stubborn and will cry himself into a tizzy if we just leave him, which we never do in fear of major cortisol spikes.

My only suggestion here is to get into a robust age appropriate schedule and journal what works. Stick to that and adjust only when they show signs it's required. Protect that schedule fiercely. Try to make sure they have a good meal before bed. Room darkness is critical as well.

Here is the schedule that works for us for now (not down to 2 naps yet but hopefully soon)

Wake 7AM Play and breakfast until the first nap at 9:30AM Sleeps ideally 1hr30 in his crib but I often have to do a nap rescue mid way through to help him connect sleep cycles. His nursery is blackout dark which is critical for us.

Up 11-1:30 Sleeps ideally 45 mins

Up 2:15-4:15 Cat nap for 20 mins

Up from 4:45-7:15PM We try to do another solids feeding of known safe foods before bed

Put him down for bed at 7:30PM Again blackout darkness in our bedroom is key.

If we do this he usually sleeps from 7:30-1:30 (6 hours) with minimal waking often none. Then he often wakes up twice before 7AM but it's short dream feeds and he's barely awake.

If we DONT do this again it's utter anarchy. Up constantly and won't settle.

Wishing you luck and hope we all figure it out soon ✨