Sleep Schedule for 6-18 months (infants/toddlers)

For newborns (0-3 months), focus less on a strict schedule and more on 'wake windows' (the time they are awake between sleeps) and sleepy cues (yawning, eye rubbing, staring into space). A typical newborn wake window is 60-90 minutes. Start by offering a nap opportunity around these times. As your baby gets a bit older (3-6 months), you can introduce a more predictable routine, but still prioritize their individual sleepy cues over a rigid clock time. Consistency in the pre-nap routine (e.g., dimming lights, a quick cuddle, reading a book) can signal that it's sleep time. Remember, flexibility is key in the early months.

Short naps are incredibly common, especially in babies under 6 months! This is often due to their developing sleep cycles, which are shorter than an adult's. When they wake after one cycle, they might struggle to connect to the next. To encourage longer naps, ensure a dark sleep environment, use white noise, and try to put them down 'drowsy but awake' so they learn to fall asleep independently. Make sure their wake window wasn't too long or too short, as overtired or undertired babies can struggle. If they wake happy and rested from a short nap, it might be enough for them at that stage, and trying to force it can cause more stress.

Contact naps and 'naps on the go' are perfectly normal and can be lovely for bonding. However, if you'd like to encourage crib naps, start by trying one crib nap a day consistently. Ensure the crib environment is dark, quiet (with white noise), and at a comfortable temperature. Try putting your baby down 'drowsy but awake' after a calming pre-nap routine. If they protest, you can offer gentle comfort (patting, shushing) in the crib. It takes consistency and patience. If a crib nap isn't happening, don't force it to the point of overtiredness; an 'on the go' nap is better than no nap at all.

Babies typically drop naps around certain ages (e.g., 3-2 naps around 6-9 months, 2-1 nap around 12-18 months). Signs they might be ready include consistently resisting a particular nap, taking significantly longer to fall asleep for that nap, waking earlier from that nap, or if their current nap schedule starts to interfere with nighttime sleep (e.g., bedtime resistance, late waking). To manage the transition, gradually extend the wake windows around the dropped nap, and shift the remaining naps slightly later. Often, an earlier bedtime is needed temporarily to prevent overtiredness as their body adjusts to longer awake periods.

It's completely normal for a baby's nap schedule to be inconsistent, especially in the early months or during developmental leaps, illness, or travel. Don't worry if a day's naps don't go as planned, or if your baby skips a nap entirely. The goal isn't perfection, but rather to ensure your baby gets enough overall rest. If a nap is missed or very short, compensate by offering an earlier bedtime to prevent overtiredness, which can actually lead to more night wakings. Focus on the next nap or bedtime opportunity, and try to get back on track the following day. Every day is a fresh start!