Naps & Nap Schedule
Nap evolution by age:
- 0-3 months: 4-5 short naps (cat naps)
- 3-4 months: 3-4 naps (one may lengthen to 1-2 hours)
- 5-8 months: 3 naps (morning, afternoon, evening)
- 9-12 months: 2 naps (morning, afternoon)
- 15-18 months: 1 afternoon nap
Many babies resist naps even when tired - watch for sleep cues and act quickly. Overtired babies have harder time sleeping.
What to Do
- Follow age-appropriate wake windows - don't keep baby up too long
- Create consistent nap routine (shorter version of bedtime routine)
- Darken room for naps just like nighttime - helps differentiate from awake time
- Use white noise for all naps to block out household sounds
- Put baby down drowsy but awake to learn to fall asleep independently
- Don't rush in at first sound - give baby chance to resettle
- If nap is <30 minutes and baby wakes crying, try to extend (pat, shush, resettle)
- For short naps: Ensure room is dark enough and not too hot/cold
- Don't stress about naps in 'wrong' place in first 3 months - anywhere safe is fine
- Around 4 months, try to do more naps in crib to establish consistent sleep space
- Watch for nap transition signs: fighting naps, taking very long to fall asleep