We’ve put together basic guidelines of what nap schedules might look like for your child’s age. However, please take into consideration that these are general guidelines. When we work with families we look at what the individual baby needs and match that with family rhythm. We work with you to fine tune your baby’s nap schedule to be similar to below, but more individualized. It’s impossible for us to tell you what your baby really needs without working with you.
Newborns to 3 months:
Newborns don’t follow much of a schedule. They nap the majority of the time, waking long enough to eat and maybe be awake for under 30 minutes. By two weeks of age they are hopefully sleeping at least one 4-hour stretch at night.
As your baby gets closer to 3-4 months they will usually be taking 4-5 naps per day.
This is the time to be practicing putting baby down close to sleep but awake when possible to help fostering falling asleep on their own, not actual sleep training.
4 months through 7 months
Transition to 3 naps, occasionally still a 4th
7:00 wake up: nurse/bottle/ play
8:30 nap time
Nurse, bottle/tummy time
11:30 nap time
Nurse, bottle, play
3:00 nap time (cat nap, awake by 4)
Nurse, bottle play
6:30/7:00 bedtime
7 months through 15 months (approximately)
Two Naps
7:00 wake up
Nurse/bottle/play
9:30/10:00 nap time
Wake, nurse/bottle play
Lunch
2:30 nap- awake by 4pm
7:00 Bedtime
15 months and older:
Most toddlers will settle into one nap that starts mid-day and lasts between 1.5-3 hours. We encourage you to keep offering your child a nap as long as possible for your family and schedule, even if they just have quiet time in their room.
The transition to two naps may occur before this age or hold on to the second nap until 18 months. You’ll know it’s time to transition to one nap because they frequently/continually refuse the later nap. During all nap transitions they will need an earlier bedtime until they have settled into their new daytime routine.
