How to Put Baby Down for a Nap

Desire to give your baby the all-time head starting time? Skilful baby nap and baby sleep through the first 12 months may be the secret. Naps are vital for encephalon evolution . Plus, they help babies go on to a bedtime routine —even if they're experiencing sleep regression. Take the quiz below, then pick your baby's age to learn

In This Article

Ideal Nap Schedule: 0-half-dozen weeks

New mom hacks you'll love(video)

Ideal Nap Schedule 2-iii months

Ideal Nap Schedule iv-half-dozen months

Ideal Nap Schedule 6-10 months

Ideal Nap Schedule 10-12 months

Mutual questions from new parents

What's happening: 0-vi weeks?

Newborns typically cycle between feeding and sleeping: from 0-six weeks, they're awake for only most an hour at a time (sometimes even less.) That's of import since almost all baby brain evolution happens during sleep.

But before the 2-month mark, problems may ascend that interfere with practiced napping, such as afternoon fussiness and Moro (startle) reflex .

Is information technology normal?

For them, yes. But y'all could probably practise without the added sleep deprivation . Learn about baby sleep cycles hither. Then check out babe's nap schedule below—and the action steps to help y'all stick to information technology.

My baby's ideal nap schedule

# of naps	Nap duration	Nap times	Bedtime	Avg. daily sleep
4-5 naps	fifteen minutes - 3 hours	Every 30 mins. - ane hr, 25 mins.	9:30-11 pm	16-twenty hrs.

How to make it happen

How do you become your infant to nap? A simple formula: (1) detect sleepiness cues, (two) add together ambience, (iii) put the babe down drowsy, and (4) stay consistent. In short: N-A-P-S. Here's how to incorporate it at 0-6 weeks.

Overtiredness

An overtired baby has raised levels of stress hormones, such equally adrenaline and cortisol. This can keep your baby awake, turning nap fourth dimension into a struggle. Acquire more about soothing an overtired babe, hither.

Action step: Notice sleep cues

Caput off fussiness by putting baby down for a nap when yous notice these sleepiness cues:

Trouble settling into a sleep schedule?

Newborns are particularly sensitive to changes in lite, noise, and temperature, and that can brand it difficult for them to fall comatose.

Action step: Add together ambiance

Choose ane consistent, safe spot for naptime, and create the right ambiance. Brand certain the room is dark, tranquility and not besides hot or cold. The right sleepwear tin as well aid babe settle faster. Acquire more about slumber ambiancehere.

Mid-nap wakeups

Newborns may startle awake with Moro reflex. So they weep, wondering where you are, considering they've non however adult object permanence: the cognition that something exists fifty-fifty if it isn't seen.

Action step: Put baby down drowsy

Put babe downwardson her back, when not fully asleep, then she can see you lot get out the room, in a Zen Ane™ swaddle, gently weighted to soothe wakeful babies.Here'southward a videowith more tips on how to become baby back to sleep.

Brusque naps

Your baby wants to wake upwards and be with you! But experts concord: staying consistent with your nap schedule is vital to creating good for you slumber patterns and ensuring your infant gets deep sleep.

Action step: Stay consistent

It's never too before long to establish positive napassociations: a warm bath, a gentle massage, and a lightly weighted swaddle can help yous define a consistent nap schedule. Help your baby look frontward to naptime.

Practiced tip

"Sometimes when slumber cues prove up information technology is too late! If yous notice your niggling ane getting sleepy, make note of how long it has been since the last nap. Then effort to get them downward 5 to 10 minutes earlier the adjacent time."

— Maggie Moore, Pediatric Sleep Consultant

New mom hacks you'll dearest

Condom kickoff

Click here for a summary of prophylactic slumber practices from The American Academy of Pediatrics.

What'due south next?

Naps change after two months. Are you set up? Read ahead to be prepared for new nap schedules.

What'southward happening: ii-3 months?

Close to the iii-month mark yous can eliminate the evening nap, move bedtime to 8 pm, and expect longer stretches of sleep at night. (Check out our bedtime nautical chart here). Ahhhh. There is a sleep goddess.

But at this stage, babies are notwithstanding startling awake , and new developments like increased alertness, growth spurts and a commencement tooth tin can trigger nap wake-ups. So, it's a practiced fourth dimension to work toward independent slumber. You'll exist glad you did, when the 4-calendar month slumber regression hits!

Is it normal?

For them, yes. Simply you lot could probably practice without the added sleep deprivation . Acquire almost baby sleep cycles here. So check out baby's nap schedule, below—and the action steps to assistance you stick to it.

My baby's platonic nap schedule

# of naps	Nap elapsing	Nap times	Bedtime	Avg. daily sleep
iv naps	thirty mins. to iii hrs.	ane forenoon nap 2 afternoon naps i evening nap	8-nine pm	xv to 17 hrs.

How to make it happen

How do you become your baby to nap? A uncomplicated formula: (1) find sleepiness cues, (2) add together ambiance, (three) put babe down drowsy, and (4) stay consistent. In brusque: N-A-P-S. Here's how to incorporate it at two-3 months.

Overtiredness

An overtired baby has raised levels of stress hormones, such every bit adrenaline and cortisol, which create fussiness. Switch bedtime to 8PM for longer night slumber. Learn more almost soothing a tired infant, here .

Action step: Notice sleep cues

Caput off fussiness by putting infant down for a nap when you notice thesesleepiness cues:

• Yawning
• Rubbing optics
• Fluttering eyelids
• Crying
• Lack of interest in feeding

Trouble settling

At 2-3 months, babies become much more than alert to their environment, so changes in calorie-free, racket and temperature, can get in hard for them to fall asleep at naptime.

Action step: Add ambiance

Choose one, consistent spot for naps and create the right ambiance. Make sure the room is nighttime, quiet and not too hot or cold.The right sleepwear can also help infant settle faster. Learn more almost adding sleep ambiance here .

Mid-nap wakeups

At 2 to three months, babies even so often startle awake with Moro reflex . Then they panic, wondering where y'all are, because they've not even so adult object permanence : the knowledge that something exists even if it isn't seen.

Activeness step: Put baby down drowsy

Put baby downwardly drowsy, but non fully asleep, so she can encounter you lot leave the room, and begin learning to self-soothe to slumber. Put her downwards in aZen Ane™ swaddle,  gently weighted to calm wakeful babies. Here's a video  that may help.

Oversleeping at naptime

Babies between ii-iii months of historic period experience growth spurts, which can brand them nap longer, throwing naps and bedtimes off schedule. Counterintuitive equally it seems, that tin can crusade overtiredness .

Activeness pace: Stay consistent

Be flexible, merely endeavour to stick to your nap schedule: the routine will be comforting. Continue to reinforce positive associations  with napping: a soothing,lightly weighted swaddle can assist provide more than restorative sleep.

New mom hacks you lot'll love

Safety first

Click hither for a summary of safe slumber practices from The American University of Pediatrics.

What'southward happening: 4-6 months?

Finally: your baby'south internal clock has kicked in, and so setting a nap routine is a whole lot easier. Your baby should exist downward to iv naps and moving to 3 naps at five-months. She should be sleeping nearly 10 to 11 hours at dark.

This is good news—Simply when babies nap less they can get overtired, which can bear upon nap schedules and good naps are more important than always at present. These are also the months many babies start to experience teething , swaddle transitioning issues and sleep regression . Fun!

Is it normal?

For them, yes. But y'all could probably do without the added sleep impecuniousness . Bank check out baby's nap schedule, beneath—and the action steps that can help you lot stick to it.

My infant's ideal nap schedule

# of naps	Nap duration	Nap times	Bedtime	Avg. daily sleep
iii to 4 naps	90 minutes	1 morning nap 2 afternoon naps (perhaps one evening nap)	8 pm	15 to 17 hours

How to get in happen

How do yous become your baby to nap? A elementary formula: (ane)notice sleepiness cues, (ii) add ambiance, (3) put baby down drowsy, and (four) stay consequent. In short: N-A-P-S. If yous're headed back to work, you lot'll likewise want to exist certain your caregiver knows how to incorporate it.

Overtiredness

An overtired baby has raised levels of stress hormones, such equally adrenaline and cortisol. This can keep your baby awake, turning nap fourth dimension into a struggle. Learn more about soothing an overtired infant, here.

Action step: Notice sleep cues

Head off fussiness by putting infant down for a nap as soon as you lot observe thesesleepiness cues:

• Yawning
• Rubbing eyes
• Fluttering eyelids
• Crying
• Lack of involvement in feeding

Problem settling

At four-6 months, babies can tell the difference between day and night. So, they're peculiarly sensitive to daylight, noise and temperature, and that can make it difficult for them to fall asleep at naptime.

Action step: Add ambiance

Choose 1, consistent spot for naps (the crib is best) and create the right ambiance. Brand certain the room is dark, quiet and not likewise hot or cold.The right sleepwear tin can help baby settle faster. Learn more about adding sleep ambiance here .

Mid-nap wakeups

At this stage, babies may experience a 4-month sleep regression—nighttime wakeups due to developmental leaps— that tin can actually mess with nap duration. At the same time, babies starting to roll may be transitioning from the swaddle, which is a strange new feeling.

Action step: Put baby down drowsy

At this phase, the correct sleep associations  are cardinal. Avoid feeding to slumber, simply put her down drowsy then she learns to soothe herself to sleep—and dorsum  to sleep, mid-nap. Dressing her in theright sleepwear tin as well foreclose wakeups.

Swaddle transitioning

When rolling starts, swaddling stops—and information technology's time for a sack. This may make your baby anxious, after being wrapped as snug as a problems.

Activity step: Stay consistent

Have a swaddle transition program  to assistance you stick to your sleep routine. Clothes your baby in a lightly weightedZen Sack™, designed with soothing Cuddle Pads™ for uninterrupted sleep, to make the transition seamless.

Expert tip

"4-months is a great age to teach your little ane the importance of independent sleep. Work on making sure your little one is more and more awake when you put her downward. Start this at night, then use it to naps."

— Maggie Moore, Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Rubber first

Click here for a summary of safe slumber practices from The American Academy of Pediatrics.

What's next?

Naps modify a lot later on half-dozen months. Are you ready? Test your noesis—then read ahead to be prepared.

What's happening: half dozen-ten months?

You lot're getting there! At half dozen-x months, many babies sleep through the night (if your definition is flexible), and just need three-3.5 hours of maximum daily sleep (twice a 24-hour interval, plus an optional 'catnap' before 5 pm.) But new skills are boot in—babies tin scroll, prop themselves up—and at that place's lots to run across and do!

With so much new stimulation, naptime may be a struggle: babies may wake likewise early, and losing that third nap can be an adjustment. Some babies also experience an 8-month sleep regression.

Is information technology normal?

For them, yeah. For you, not so much. At this phase, sleep training at night is key to maintaining naps and staving off sleep deprivation. Check out baby's nap schedule below—and the action steps to stick to information technology.

My baby's ideal nap schedule

# of naps	Nap duration	Nap times	Bedtime	Avg. daily slumber
ii to 3 naps	1.five to two hours	1 morning time nap ane afternoon nap 1 catnap	8 pm	14-fifteen hours

How to make it happen

How exercise yous get your baby to nap? A simple formula: (1)notice sleepiness cues, (2) add ambiance, (3) put babe downwards drowsy, and (4) stay consistent. In brusk: N-A-P-S. Here's how to incorporate it at half-dozen-ten months.

Overtiredness

An overtired baby has raised levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This can keep your babe awake, turning nap fourth dimension into a struggle. Learn more virtually soothing an overtired baby, here.

Activeness step: Notice sleep cues

Head off fussiness past putting babe downward for a nap equally soon as you discover thesesleepiness cues:

• Yawning
• Rubbing eyes
• Fluttering eyelids
• Crying
• Lack of interest in feeding

Trouble settling

At 6-10 months of age babies are very alert and developing lots of new motor skills—and sometimes this can be overstimulating for babies, making information technology difficult for them to settle at naptime.

Activity step: Add ambiance

Cull 1, consistent spot for naps (the crib is all-time) and create the correct ambiance : a dark, quiet room that'southward not likewise hot or cold.The right sleepwear can soothe infant to sleep. If wakefulness persists, try eliminating the 'catnap.'

Separation anxiety

Developmental leaps tin trigger separation feet. If yous wait until your baby is asleep to put her down for a nap, she may cry if she wakes upwardly mid-nap and doesn't run into you lot.

Action footstep: Put infant downwardly drowsy

Start sleep training  to develop positive associations  with 'sleep time'. Dress her inZen Sleepwear™, lightly weighted to assist babies settle and prevent wakeups. And then put her down drowsy, so she can see you exit the room.

Mid-nap wakeups

An eight-month sleep regression, due to a surge in encephalon evolution, may cause nighttime slumber interruptions and shorter naps during the day.

Activity footstep: Stay consistent

Exist flexible, merely try to stick to your nap schedule as much every bit possible then y'all don't backslide: the regression lasts only well-nigh 2 weeks. A soothing,lightly weighted sack tin assistance provide more restorative slumber in the concurrently.

Adept tip

"At this age, it'south common for babies to practice new skills similar crawling, sitting and rolling—when they should be sleeping. Information technology's very of import to stay consequent with your routine, to assist your little one focus on slumber."

— Maggie Moore, Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Safety get-go

Click here for a summary of safe sleep practices from The American University of Pediatrics.

What's next?

Naps modify a lot afterward ten months. Are you set up? Read ahead to be prepared.

What's happening: 10-12 months?

The hardest part is behind yous! At x-12 months, your baby is downward to 2 long naps, tin can settle herself to slumber and is sleeping 'through' the nighttime. It's all nearly sleep grooming, now.

Easier said than done. Your baby has been going through a surge of motor skill development, and naptime is when she wants to practice her new moves. Oh, and she wants to practise them—with you lot in the room.

Is it normal?

For your baby, yes. For you, not so much. Bank check out baby'due south nap schedule below—and the activity steps to help you stick to it.

My baby's ideal nap schedule

# of naps	Nap duration	Nap times	Bedtime	Avg. daily sleep
2 naps	upwardly to 3 hours	1 morning time nap 1 afternoon nap	7 to 9 pm	10 to 12 hours

How to brand it happen

How practice you get your baby to nap? A unproblematic formula: (1) notice sleepiness cues, (ii) add ambiance, (3) put babe down drowsy, and (iv) stay consequent. In short: N-A-P-S. Here's how to contain it at 10-12 months.

Overtiredness

An overtired baby has raised levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This can keep your babe awake, turning nap time into a struggle. Larn more than about soothing an overtired baby, here.

Activeness pace: Find sleep cues

Head off fussiness by putting baby down for a nap equally soon as you observe thesesleepiness cues:

• Yawning
• Rubbing optics
• Fluttering eyelids
• Crying
• Lack of interest in feeding

Problem settling

At ten-12 your infant is active, super alarm, playful and newly focused on social cues: faces, words, interactions. This tin brand information technology difficult for her to settle down at naptime.

Action step: Add ambiance

Reduce distractions: put baby in her crib, make sure the room is nighttime and quiet, and remove toys and stimulating objects. Dressing her in lightly weighted Zen Sleepwear™ will also help her settle faster.

Separation feet

Your baby is still learning 'object permanence'—the concept that things exist fifty-fifty when unseen—and then she may feel separation anxiety when you lot leave the room, fearing you are actually gone.

Action pace: Put infant down drowsy

Put her downwards drowsy, so she tin can see you leave the room; requite her one consistent 'lovie' to reinforcethe routine, and leave smiling so she isn't anxious. (Note: playing peek-a-boo volition helps with object permanence.)

Sleep preparation issues

At this stage, learning to cocky-soothe is key. Almost babies struggle with this off and on for the kickoff 2 years—merely a consistent nap schedule, a sleep grooming regimen and the correct sleepwear tin can aid.

Action footstep: Stay consequent

MakeZen Sleepwear™ a regular part of your nap and sleep training  regimen; its lightly weighted Cuddle Pads™  assistance babies settle faster, soothe themselves to slumber more easily, and stay asleep longer.

Skilful tip

"Your infant needs 2 naps until 15-eighteen months—simply she infant may first trying to transition to ane nap before she's ready (refusing a second nap, waking upward too early, etc.) To keep her on schedule, wake your baby by 7 am and cap the first nap and then there's enough fourth dimension for nap #two."

— Maggie Moore, Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Safety offset

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following safe slumber practices at naptime:

• Sleep position: Make certain your baby naps on her dorsum until 12 months old to reduce the hazard of SIDS; side or belly slumber is not considered safe. Babies nether 4 months old napping in a seated position (automobile seat, stroller) should exist advisedly monitored to prevent suffocation from blankets, etc.

• Sleep surface: Use a firm slumber surface or canvass that fits the crib or bassinet perfectly. A mattress is firm enough when information technology does not conform to your baby's head.

• Crib objects: Keep soft objects abroad; pillows, blankets and toys should not exist present in your infant's crib or bassinet for the first year, as these items increase the risk of suffocation.

Common questions from new parents

We asked Maggie Moore and Lindsey Hennigar, Pediatric Sleep Consultants, for her answers to napping questions she hears most from new parents. For more than info, check out the nap resource at the finish of this blog.

• When practise babies terminate napping?

• When should I transition to 1 nap?

• How practice I transition to one nap?

• Can my baby be napping also much?

• How exercise I know if my baby is getting enough sleep?

• How many naps should my infant be taking?

• How long should my baby nap?

• How exercise I get my babe to nap?

• What should I practice if my baby won't nap?

• Why are naps harder than nighttime slumber?

• Can my babe nap in the car seat or stroller?

• Should I utilize white racket?

Other nap time resources

Mayo Dispensary: Daytime Sleep Tips

American Academy Of Pediatrics: Childhood Sleep Guidelines

Healthychildren.Org: Healthy Slumber Habits

Zerotothree.Org: Slumber

Blogs you might similar

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When Will My Baby Sleep Through The Night

Simplifying Baby Sleep

Inquire the Experts: Rubber Co-sleeping

10 Tips For Surviving 4-Month Sleep Regression

Bedtime Chart By Age

3-Month-Onetime Sleep

Sleep information for this article was drawn from leading medical journals and wellness organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, and reviewed by Pediatric Sleep Consultants Maggie Moore, Possessor of Moore Sleep and Lindsey Hennigar, Owner of The Slumber Ranch.

Meet our experts

Maggie Moore Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Founder & Head Sleeper of Moore Sleep

Lindsey Hennigar Certified Baby and Child Slumber Consultant, owner of The Slumber Ranch

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