How to Get Your Baby to Nap – Daytime Sleep Tips

Becoming a parent, especially for the first time, can be an ordeal. The newborn becomes the crux of your life, and you find that you have questions and concerns about each and everything that affects the child. While some of these concerns may just be due to confusion and a sense of emotional overload, others do need deeper thought – like napping.

Video: How to Get Your Baby to Nap – Daytime Sleep Tips

As a parent, you will be aware that naps are good for your child and his development. You will see that babies love napping, but how much time should a baby actually sleep? In this article, let us take a deeper look at the sleeping patterns of a child in his first year.

Why Naps are Essential for Babies?

Naps are essential for babies, especially in their first few years. They can help improve your child’s mood, reduce tantrums, crying and other kinds of whining. During naptimes, the brain develops more than it would when the child is awake. Naps help your child grow faster and understand his environment better. Another common misconception is that skipping naps can improve the quality of sleep your child has at night time – this is not proven, so choosing daytime naps is better for your child’s general health.

Where Should Your Baby Nap?

The best place for your baby to have his daytime naps in his crib; this makes him feel secure and safe, sleeping in a known environment. If you lead an active lifestyle, you need to practice putting your child to sleep in a stroller or carriers so that he gets used to it – if that is not possible, at least carry one or two items that will remind him of his bed, so that he feels secure. If your room is a bright one, you can use blackout curtains so that your baby settles in well.

How Many Naps Does a Baby Need?

The amount of time a baby needs to nap depends on how old he is and on his behavioural pattern. A table that indicates the required amount of time, according to his age has been given below.

Tips to Get Your Baby to Nap

As a new parent, the answer to how to get your baby to nap will not be clear – the process can be quite taxing. He might end up throwing tantrums at the slightest provocations or just refuse to go to sleep altogether. However, there are a few things which can help you get your child settled into his baby nap times.

• Try to construct baby nap routines that fit your child. Think of his energy levels around the day, and set up the nap times when he is tired so that he is more willing to go to sleep. It has been proven that two naps, one in the mid-morning and one in the afternoon, can help your child rest better.
• Children like to have consistent timings, and this applies in the case of naps too. Establish correct timing for his naps so that he sleeps readily when it is time.
• If your child is showing reluctance to nap, try to lull him into it. You can sing a lullaby, draw him a warm bath or even massage his tummy so that he becomes relaxed easily.
• Your baby is sure to show signs of fatigue and tiredness, so look out for those. This can help you better understand when your child wants to sleep, and construct a routine based on these signs.
• Naps are important, but activities are equally important – there must be a balance struck between the two. If your child has been energetic always, he is sure to tire out when his naptime comes – a nap also gives him the energy to be a part of more activities. The right activities can help your child develop and grow mentally and physically.
• Long naps are not great, either – if you see your child asleep for more than three hours in a stretch, wake him up gently and help him burn off energy with a few activities.
• If your child is adamantly against napping, do not be frustrated – in some cases, it is normal for children to have only one nap or even no nap during the daytime. Ensure that he is sleeping well at night, though.
• If you are ever in doubt about anything, the best thing to do would be to consult a doctor.

Is It Okay to Limit the Length of Baby’s Nap?

If your child has slept for the appropriate amount for his naps during daytime it is okay to wake him up. This ensures that he does not sleep too much during the daytime, and his night sleep is not affected. If he is in danger of missing a feed, it is not wrong to wake your child up – also, ensure that he is taking part in some engaging activities when he is awake so that he becomes tired enough.

The answer to how much sleep a baby needs is a confusing one, as it depends upon the personality, energy levels and what he does when he is awake. Although general guidelines for the amount of sleep he requires are given above, do not fret if he does not follow it accurately. Also, do consult the doctor if you feel that something is wrong with the sleep pattern of your child.

Also Read:

How to Get a Baby to Sleep Through Night?
Baby Sleep Training
SIDS In Babies