Sleep Schedule for Approximately 6 months old (this recommendation assumes an infant of this age, as no specific age was provided)

For newborns (0-3 months), nap schedules are often unpredictable. They typically nap 3-5 times a day, ranging from 20 minutes to 2-3 hours each. Aim for total daytime sleep of 4-7 hours, broken up. As they grow (3-6 months), naps usually consolidate to 3-4 naps a day, with morning and afternoon naps becoming more consistent, often lasting 1-2 hours. Focus on wake windows and sleep cues rather than strict adherence to a rigid schedule at first.

Absolutely, this is very normal for newborns and young infants! Predictable nap schedules typically don't emerge until 3-4 months of age, and often solidify more around 5-6 months. In the early weeks, focus on recognizing your baby's sleep cues (yawning, rubbing eyes, zoning out) and offering naps frequently (usually after 60-90 minutes of awake time for newborns). Consistency in a pre-nap routine is more important than strict timing initially.

Look for early sleep cues: yawning, rubbing eyes, staring into space, becoming quieter, losing interest in play, or a slight redness around the eyes. If your baby starts fussing, crying, arching their back, or becomes extremely difficult to soothe, they're likely overtired, making it harder to settle for their nap. Aim to put them down *before* they reach this overtired stage by observing their wake windows (e.g., 60-90 minutes for newborns, gradually increasing as they get older).

Generally, for newborns and young infants, it's often recommended to let them sleep. However, if your baby is consistently taking very long daytime naps (e.g., 3+ hours) and this is significantly impacting their night sleep (e.g., very short stretches, late bedtime, early wake-up), you might consider gently waking them after 1.5-2 hours. This is especially true after the 3-4 month mark when a more structured schedule starts to form. Always consult with your pediatrician, especially if there are feeding or weight gain concerns.

Create a consistent, calming pre-nap routine: a diaper change, a quick cuddle, reading a short book, or singing a lullaby. Ensure the sleep environment is dark, cool, and quiet (or use white noise to block out distractions). Swaddle newborns to prevent the startle reflex. Lay your baby down drowsy but awake, allowing them the chance to fall asleep independently. Consistency with these steps, along with observing their sleep cues, can greatly improve how well your baby settles into their naps.