Sleep Schedule for 3-6 months old

The number and length of naps for qJYNKtCd depend heavily on their age. Newborns (0-3 months) typically nap frequently throughout the day (4-6 times, 30 minutes to 2 hours each). By 4-6 months, they usually settle into 3 naps (morning, afternoon, late afternoon). From 6-12 months, most babies take 2 predictable naps (morning and afternoon, 1-2 hours each). Around 12-18 months, qJYNKtCd will likely transition to a single, longer afternoon nap. Focus on their 'awake windows' – the amount of time they can comfortably stay awake between sleeps – rather than rigid timings initially.

Consistency is key. Start by observing qJYNKtCd's natural sleep cues (yawning, eye rubbing, fussiness) and their awake windows. Aim to put them down for a nap *before* they become overtired. Create a calming pre-nap routine (e.g., dimming lights, quiet story, a lullaby) to signal that it's sleep time. Maintain a consistent nap environment that is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. While newborns can be unpredictable, by 4-6 months, you can gently guide them towards a more regular pattern by offering naps at similar times each day.

Short naps (often less than 30-45 minutes) are very common, especially in younger babies, as they learn to connect sleep cycles. If qJYNKtCd fights naps, first check if they might be overtired or, conversely, not tired enough. Ensure their awake window is appropriate for their age. Review the nap environment – is it dark enough? Quiet enough? Is the temperature comfortable? If they consistently take short naps, try offering an earlier bedtime to compensate for lost daytime sleep. Consistency in offering the nap opportunity, even if it's short, is more important than forcing a long nap.

Learning qJYNKtCd's individual sleep cues is crucial. Common signs include yawning, eye rubbing, staring blankly into space, decreased activity or interest in play, fussiness, pulling ears, or turning away from stimulation. For newborns, these cues might appear after only 45-60 minutes of wakefulness. As qJYNKtCd gets older, their awake windows will lengthen. The goal is to put them down drowsy but awake, *before* they become overtired and irritable, which can make it harder for them to settle.

Generally, it's best to let qJYNKtCd wake naturally from naps, especially in the early months. However, there are exceptions. If naps are excessively long (e.g., over 2 hours for babies 6+ months) and are significantly impacting night sleep (making it hard to fall asleep at bedtime or causing very early morning wake-ups), you might consider gently waking them after a reasonable duration to protect nighttime sleep. For very young newborns, ensuring they feed frequently is paramount, so waking them if a nap extends past 2.5-3 hours might be necessary to ensure adequate feeding.