Napping Guideline
Author: Angela Heidt
A popular topic amongst new parents is their baby's napping schedule. How long they nap, when they nap and where they nap. By comparing notes these parents are trying to ascertain whether their own child falls into a normal range.
An important thing to remember here is that every child is different, so don't be alarmed if your child's nap schedule doesn't seem to fit in with others. However, if they are continually cranky throughout the day, you may want to try to lengthen their nap time. If your baby naps well but wakes up for long periods of time at night, you may want to consider shortening their nap time.
Another important factor in determining how much your baby needs to nap is how much they sleep at night. A child who sleeps for 12 hours overnight will likely need to nap less than one who wakes up a few times. At the same time though, some kids just like to sleep more than others.
So how much should your child be sleeping then? Here is a rough guideline:
Age |
# of Naps |
Total Length of Naps |
Overnight Sleep Hours (Avg.) |
Total Amount of Sleep |
Newborn |
Newborns sleep 16-18 hours per day over 6 or 7 sleep periods |
|||
1 month |
3 |
6-7 |
8 ½-10 |
15-16 |
3 months |
3 |
5-6 |
10-11 |
15 |
6 months |
2 |
3-4 |
10-11 |
14-15 |
9 months |
2 |
2 ½-4 |
11-12 |
14 |
12 months |
1-2 |
2-3 |
11 ½ -12 |
13-14 |
If you are having trouble getting your baby to nap enough during the day, here are some suggestions:
- Keep an eye out for signs that your little one is getting tired and get them ready for their nap immediately, keeping them up longer will not help them nap better.
- Consider introduction a pacifier if your child is over 3 months old and breastfeeding well. The use of a pacifier is hotly debated, but it is one way that your child can soothe themselves to sleep.
- Offer a snack before nap time to ensure your child does not wake up early because he is hungry.
Once you have your baby in an established nap pattern, try to keep on the same schedule. Once your child knows what to expect, they will fall into a nap routine more easily, and they will likely sleep better at night as well.
Pantley, Elizabeth. 2002. The No-Cry Sleep Solution. New York. McGraw-Hill