How Many Baby Naps : Sleep Quick Tip
In the beginning, your newborn sleeps most of the time and you don’t have to worry too much about naps. Your newborn’s sleep schedule and patterns are highly unpredictable, usually, so it’s hard to tell if she will have 5 naps or 8 on any given day. You’ve just given birth (or partnered the birth), so as long as she sorts out the difference between day and night, you probably won’t stress too much about it, unless she isn’t “sleeping like a baby.”
Once the fog lifts, you most likely want more predictability in your day and so you start focusing on getting your baby on a schedule and getting your baby to nap better, especially if your baby won’t nap. Just when you succeed, things change again and you wonder where you went wrong. It’s a good idea to know just when your baby will start to transition to fewer naps, so you know just how long you can enjoy good sleep before he changes on you again.
Here are your guidelines to the number of baby naps by age:
From 1-4 months, the number of naps your baby takes will be variable, but will hover around 4-5 naps per day, depending on how long his naps are and how long he can stay up between naps. By 3 or 4 months old, she will lean towards just 4 naps, rather than 5.
From 5-8 months, most babies will have three naps per day (though my son had four until after 7 months) . They will start to resist the fourth nap, no matter how tired they are. There are a few babies who will only have two naps at a very young age, but those naps are usually long.
From 9-15 or 18 months, on average, your baby will nap two times a day. Although many people believe most babies transition to one nap at 12 months, the average age is actually 15 to 18 months.
From 18 months to 4 years, toddlers will nap once a day. The age to transition away from all naps varies a lot, from 2 to 5+ years old.
You may want to view and bookmark our sample baby sleep and feeding schedules by age. And, if you’re looking for ways to get your baby or toddler into a healthy sleeping routine during the day, I encourage you to explore Mastering Naps and Schedules, a comprehensive guide to napping routines, nap transitions, and all the other important “how-tos†of good baby sleep. With over 40 sample sleep schedules and planning worksheets, Mastering Naps and Schedules is a hands-on tool ideal for any parenting style. Or, join our Members Area packed with exclusive content and resources: e-Books, assessments, detailed case studies, expert advice, discounts, peer support, and more! It actually costs less to join than buying products separately! For those looking for a more customized solution for your unique situation with support along the way, please consider one-on-one baby and toddler sleep consultations.
Happy napping!
Category: Naps
Tags: babies naps, baby feeding schedule, baby nap, baby on schedule, baby schedule, baby to nap, baby wont nap, infant nap, month old baby schedule, nap ez, nap length, nap roll, nap times, no nap, to nap, toddler wont nap, wont nap
Incoming search terms for the article:
- select comfort quick connector
- baby 45 minute naps sleep babywise baby whisperer
- sleep aid tip toddler sleep routine
- overtired baby and naps
- getting your baby to transition through naps
Similar articles
- Your Toddler’s Schedule
This article outlines the average toddler schedule, including feedings, naps and night sleep. If your toddler is having trouble napping, you may be interested in my toddler nap tips. And, for good ideas on feeding your toddler, check out Wholesome Toddler Food. You may also want to encourage your toddler to get involved in his
... - Baby Daily Schedule
Many people wonder when they can put their baby on a schedule. Today’s sleep quick tip is that babies will vary, but the average age that I recommend to start trying a sleep schedule is around 6 months old. Depending on how consistent they are, how sensitive they are to becoming overtired and how over-tiredness
... - 6 Month Old Baby Schedule
This article outlines the average 6 month old baby schedule, including feedings, solids, naps and night sleep. Skip to the schedule 6 month old baby’s sleep At this age, if you are not lucky enough to have a baby who sleeps through the night, many 6 month olds are still waking 1-2 times
... - 8 Month Old Baby Schedule
This article outlines the average 8 month old baby schedule, including feedings, solids, naps and night sleep. Skip to the schedule 8 month old’s sleep At this age, many 8 month olds can sleep through the night, without a feeding, but some won’t and will continue to need 1-2 feedings up through 9+
... - How Much Should My Toddler Be Sleeping?
Toddlers need a lot of sleep. They don’t need as much sleep as an infant, but they need a great deal more than many parents realize. Frequently, sleepy toddlers are the reason for tantrums and bad behavior. So, make sure your toddler is getting the recommended amount of sleep, which is 14 hours per day.
...