Baby naps and daytime sleeps: what to expect and when
Louisa Sherlock
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Sleep plays a huge role in your baby’s mental and physical development. But as well as getting enough sleep at night, your little one needs plenty of daytime sleep, too. Here's what you need to know about naps...
It's no secret that babies need sleep – and a lot of it! This means that they spend a lot of time napping during the day, as well as sleeping (albeit intermittently) at night.
Still, as a parent, the thought of introducing a daytime nap schedule for your baby might fill you with worry ... what if it stops your little one sleeping at night?!
But there's no need to worry. Children’s sleep expert Andrea Grace says:
FREE NEWBORN NAPPIES
‘As a parent, your baby’s daytime naps can be a real source of stress – from worries over how many sleeps your little one should have through to where your baby should nap and for how long.
‘Every baby is different and you need to manage naps and daytime sleeps in a way that works for you both.’
Follow Andrea’s advice for introducing a successful nap and daytime sleep schedule for your baby below, and find out more about your baby's sleep here.
When should I introduce nap time for my baby?
When your baby is past the newborn stage of sleeping all the time, you might want to think about introducing a bit more of a daytime nap routine.
Babies start to recognise the difference between night and day at around six to eight weeks old, meaning this could be a good time to start.
Andrea says: 'After the first six weeks or so, you'll begin to notice your baby getting sleepy around the same time every day. Rather than trying to impose a strict napping schedule on your baby, it's better to watch for the signs that she's becoming tired and follow her lead.’
By now, you’ll probably recognise lots of your baby's individual sleepy cues, which will tell you they're getting tired. These might include your baby:
- rubbing their eyes
- pulling at their ears
- yawning
- crying
- looking away from you and refusing to engage
It's a good idea to try to put your baby down for a nap as soon as you notice the early signs that they're sleepy; if they get themselves too worked up, they may find it harder to drop off.
How many naps does my baby need?
How much sleep your baby needs will depend on their age. According to the NHS, newborn babies can sleep from anywhere between eight hours up to 16 or 18 hours in a 24-hour period.
Between three and six months, they will be spending around twice as long sleeping at night as they do during the day. And from six to 12 months, they can sleep for up to 12 hours at night.
Similarly, how long your baby naps for during the day will depend on their age and on their own sleep patterns. They might prefer longer naps or be better suited to shorter, more frequent naps. Find out more about your baby's sleep patterns here.
Every baby is different, but here is Andrea's guide of what you can typically expect at each stage of your baby's development...
Baby naps from newborn to six weeks
Your baby will need to nap at least every two hours and will typically have between four and eight naps a day.
Their total nap time can be anything from seven-and-a-half to nine hours a day.
Find out more about your newborn baby's sleep here.
Baby naps from six to eight weeks
You can expect your baby to have four naps a day, totalling around six hours.
This is usually made up of two or three short naps of between 30 to 60 minutes and one longer nap of up to two hours.
Baby naps from four to six months
Your baby will be sleeping much less in the day by now.
Around this age they'll most likely be having three naps a day, totalling around three to four hours. These naps are usually arranged as a short morning nap, a long nap during the middle of the day and another short nap late in the afternoon.
Baby naps between six and 12 months
By this age your baby will be having most of their sleep at night. They're likely to have two naps a day, totalling between two and three-and-a-half hours.
If your baby is over six-months-old, avoid very late afternoon sleeps if they have difficulty going to sleep at night.
Baby naps between 12 months and two years
Your baby will typically be having one big nap, usually in the middle of the day and lasting around one-and-a-half hours.
They may also have a second shorter 'power' nap in the morning or late afternoon.
Tips for helping your baby to nap
Your baby's daytime nap routine doesn't need to involve as many steps as their bedtime routine, which might include a bath, a book and a story, for example.
Instead, Andrea recommends a few simple things you can do to prepare for your baby for their daytime sleep...
1 Recreate the feeling of bedtime. If you're putting your baby for a nap in their cot, then do a condensed version of your bedtime routine.
2 If your baby is crying, it's OK to stay beside them, with your hand resting gently on them. Be aware that patting your baby may irritate them if they are very tired.
3 Try to be fairly consistent with naps, but also be open to being flexible. Your baby's nap needs can change from week to week.
4 Avoid rocking your baby to sleep in your arms for their naps.
5 Be aware of your nap timings. Sometimes over-napping during the day or too late in the afternoon can cause problems with your baby's sleep at night.
Read more tips on how to help your baby sleep better here.
Using blackout blinds can help babies to sleep better during the day or in the summer months. This clever blind by the Gro Company will fit most windows and will block out light really effectively. See more details here at Amazon.
Will my baby's naps affect their sleep at night?
If your baby is not sleeping well at night, it's a good idea to look at their daytime nap routine. There's an old saying, 'sleep breeds sleep', and parents often find that babies that nap well also sleep better at night, too.
Having too little sleep in the day can actually make your baby overtired and harder to settle at night. It's also thought to make them more likely to wake up in the night.
Meanwhile, too much sleep during the day can mean your baby isn't as tired at bedtime. For example, if your baby is having a long nap at 4pm, it can make it harder for them to fall asleep at bedtime.
Plus, if your baby is an early riser, watch out if they seem to be wanting morning naps. Andrea says:
'Make sure your baby isn't compensating for her early wake up by taking a very early daytime nap. This is often just an extension of the night’s sleep and allowing it to continue will set the early waking in place.'
Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are online Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
What if my baby starts refusing their daytime nap?
As your baby grows, they'll need less sleep – which is why it's a good idea to be mindful of their sleep routine and to adapt it as they get older.
Up until three months your baby may need anything from eight hours up to 16 to 18 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, according to NHS advice. Then, in the run-up to them turning one, that can drop to as little as 12 hours.
Other reasons your baby won't nap may be down to one or more of the following:
- The room is too bright – Invest in some blackout blinds for their daytime naps if this is the case.
- They're overtired. ... or not tired enough – Keep an eye on your baby's sleep signals to work out when they're ready for a nap. It might be slightly earlier or later than you usually put them down. Try to be as consistent as possible if you can.
- They don't WANT to nap – The older your baby gets, the more stimulated they will be by the world around them ... especially their toys! It might be an idea to stash all their toys away as part of their winding down ritual before a nap, and then cuddle up with a book before putting them down.
- They might be hungry – Your baby will have lots of growth spurts, and their reluctance to sleep might simply be down to them wanting more milk or food before going for a nap.
- They may be teething – If your little one is in pain or discomfort from teething then it could also disrupt their sleep.
Looking for more information and advice on your baby's sleep? Read our articles below or exchange ideas with other parents in the forum.
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