Sleep guide: Age-appropriate nap times for babies
How often should your little one be napping? Find out here.
In their first weeks babies sleep around 16 hours a day. Trouble is, they don’t stay asleep much more than two or three hours at a stretch, day or night, making it exhausting for new moms and dads.
Take comfort knowing that this early pattern is linked to babies’ sleep cycles being much shorter than yours and their spending much longer in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, to facilitate the amazing developments taking place in their little brains. “It’s a vital phase for your baby and soon passes,” says Dr Diana du Plessis, an independent midwifery consultant and researcher in Gauteng.
Every baby is different and will develop different patterns, but you can encourage some that will help make life a little easier for you.
From birth to 3 months
At this age, most babies sleep whenever they need to, day or night.
Challenges:
Your baby may sleep longer during the day and be more wakeful at night, when you desperately need your shut-eye. “If you can, nap with them,” says Dr Du Plessis. Also help them learn day from night - keep the room dark and quiet for night feeds; bright by day. Have curtains open or lights on, and don’t shelter them from noise and activity such as a radio, washing machine or other children at play.
Your baby may go to sleep only if you hold or rock them, and wake the moment you put them down. Try swaddling them firmly in a soft cloth, which many babies find comforting, and waiting 15 minutes for them to slip into a deeper sleep before trying to move them.
From 3 to 6 months
Babies start to get into a pattern of two naps a day, one morning, one afternoon, and sleep longer at night, waking only for feeds.
Challenges:
Many babies like to be nursed, rocked or walked to sleep. Indulge yours if you can, or start training them to fall asleep alone. “When they're fed, try leaving baby alone for a minute or two to see if they will doze off. But don’t turn it into a war of wills,” warns Dr Du Plessis.
Many moms and dads want their babies to nap more so they can do chores. Try doing things with them in a sling or carrier or propped comfortably nearby where they can watch you.
From 6 to 12 months
By now, most babies will be napping twice a day for two to three hours in total. Introduce a sleep routine, says Dr Du Plessis: perhaps a bath, a story or song, a feed, and then put them down with a cuddly toy and turn off the light.
Challenges:
Some babies don’t want to nap if there are exciting activities going on. Help them wind down with a quiet activity like reading a story. Their nap schedule may be interrupted by visitors, travel or sickness. Be flexible, and return to the schedule gradually.
From 1 to 2 years
Many toddlers change to only one nap a day, for one to three hours.
Challenges:
If your baby naps too long or too late, they may only go to sleep later at night or sleep fitfully. Try giving them lunch early to bring naptime forward, then wake them after two or three hours, before 3pm.
From 3 to 4 years
Preschoolers start napping intermittently, then not at all.
Challenges:
• Most play schools schedule a one-hour daily nap, but if your child has outgrown napping they may become bored and disruptive. “Ask their teacher about allowing quiet play away from the others,” suggests Dr Du Plessis.
How Clicks Clinics can help you
Worried about your little one's development? Make an appointment for a baby wellness consultation at your nearest Clicks Clinic by calling 0860 254 257 or visiting Clicks Clinics online.
Shop online at Clicks.co.za for mother and baby essentials
Clicks has a wide selection of healthcare, accessories, creams and foods to help you from pregnancy to birth and beyond. If you prefer the convenience of online shopping, purchase your mother and baby products here.