Your baby's naps and the overall balance of daytime sleep directly affect how well they will sleep at night.
Depending on their age, they may be having 1, 2, 3 or more naps, but these are the things that are important when it comes to naps...
How long?
We recommend for the longest nap to be happening around the middle of the day. If their longest nap is in the morning it can mean they are not tired enough to take a long afternoon nap, and then are overtired by bedtime.If the longest nap happens too late in the afternoon, it can mean that they don’t build up enough “sleep pressure” before bedtime to actually sleep soundly after bedtime. So working on your longest nap being in the middle of the day tends to compliment night time sleep the best.
Where?
Having your baby’s nap taking place in their crib or cot isn't essential. What it does allow though is a much needed, arms-free break each day...which can be a total game-changer for your mental health.
But naps can take place in the cot, sling, pram, car or in your arms - they all count.
The best quality of sleep is when your baby is horizontal. So thinking about either the cot or the pram for at least some of their naps so that they are lying down horizontally is a good idea, particularly for their longest nap.
Should you wake a sleeping baby?
In a word: yes!
Capping your baby’s nap lengths in order to “protect” their next nap or protect bedtime is something we recommend to families regularly.
It may seem a little mean but you are not taking sleep away from them, merely nudging it a bit later in the day or evening when it will benefit them (and you!) more.
Where to start?
When and how long your baby should nap is totally dependent on their age. From newborn up to 4 years your little one's daytime sleep needs decrease from around 6 hours each day to 0 hours, so it's constantly changing as they get older.
A top tip is to stay ahead of their needs and tweak as you go along whenever you notice their night time sleep or morning wake up time is starting to be negatively affected.
Grab our free Extending Naps Guide below and let’s get those long, predictable naps happening on the daily:
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