Nap time is one of the most important moments for your baby’s life and health. In the first few weeks, it’s very normal for your little one to fall asleep during or after breastfeeding, and this can become a problem for mom, as the baby gets used to napping in her arms. The correct way is to put them in the crib to sleep while they are still awake. But pay attention, nap time as well as nap duration differs from baby to baby, and it’s very common for new moms and dads to have questions or worries about this subject.

Benefits of Napping for Babies

Nap time is of great importance for babies, being essential for their physical and psychological development. For this moment to be peaceful and bring benefits1 to your little one’s health, check out a few tips that can help your baby during this special time.

  • Pay attention to whether your baby is signaling that it’s time to sleep: rubbing eyes, ears, yawning, becoming restless and irritable, crying, searching for the breast, or making faces. The important thing is to notice these signs, as this is the ideal moment to put them to sleep.
  • Be careful not to wait until your baby is too tired, as they may fight against sleep, causing a lot of stress for both of you.
  • It’s important to have a routine: nap time should be respected. Always do it at the same time and accommodate your child’s needs. If they’re used to sleeping with a little blanket, a stuffed animal, or with two pacifiers, these familiar objects give them comfort and make them feel safe.
  • The sleeping environment should be very peaceful—close the curtains, leave a little light coming in, and play a soft lullaby. That way, your baby will feel calm and soon fall asleep.
  • Bright lights and playtime should be avoided hours before getting your child to sleep.
  • A warm bath before bed helps your baby relax and feel calmer.
  • It’s important, as soon as you notice your baby is sleepy, to lay them in the crib and begin soothing them to sleep. Delaying can cause agitation and irritability, making it harder for your baby to settle down.

My Baby Sleeps a Lot – Is This Normal?

Many moms worry that “my baby sleeps a lot,” and get scared about how many hours their baby sleeps, but this is totally normal, especially in the first days and months of life. A newborn typically sleeps about sixteen to twenty hours a day2. They wake up for diaper changes, to feed, cry, and then go right back to sleep. This stage is very important for your baby’s growth and development. While sleeping, your baby’s physical and psychological aspects are working, activating their central nervous system and strengthening their memory.

How Many Hours of Sleep Are Needed

  • A newborn needs 16 to 20 hours of sleep per day.
  • One-month-old babies need 16 to 18 hours of sleep per day.
  • Two-month-olds need 15 to 16 hours of sleep per day.
  • Four months old: 9 to 12 hours of sleep at night and two naps during the day, ranging from 2 to 3 hours each.
  • Six months old: sleeps 11 hours at night and takes two naps during the day, 2 to 3 hours each.
  • Nine months old: eleven hours at night, with two naps during the day, 1 to 2 hours each.
  • Children at one year sleep ten to eleven hours at night, with two naps during the day, 1 to 2 hours each.
  • Two years: sleep eleven hours at night, with one nap during the day for two hours.
  • Three years: sleep ten to eleven hours at night, with one two-hour nap during the day.

At this stage, nap time can be different from one baby to another; one baby may sleep a lot for longer periods, while another may have trouble falling asleep or sleep for shorter times. The ideal is to keep a nap routine, but always respecting your baby’s own pace.

Does a Good Night’s Sleep Replace Nap Time?

A good night’s sleep does not replace nap time, because this moment contributes to your child’s development and growth. During nap time, the brain releases growth hormone. Of course, a good night’s sleep is necessary for your child’s health. However, nap time is very important for their development. Missing daytime naps can affect your child’s behavior, causing anxiety, irritability, excessive crying, and difficulty falling asleep3. Nap time is essential for children up to three years old, helping them become more energetic, improving their mood, allowing them to relax and better participate in play and activities. As we saw, nap time varies depending on your child’s age and should be respected. It is different from nighttime sleep, but be careful not to let nap time stretch out for too long. If your child doesn’t wake up on their own, you should gently wake them up; what’s important is to consider their rest time according to their rhythm so as not to harm their development. Also see: Find Out Why Your Baby Isn’t Sleeping Photo: Alessandro Zangrilli