Can I change my baby’s “disaster naps”? Short naps of 30-45 minutes (“disaster” naps or “cat” naps) are quite common in infants younger than 9 months. They are often completely normal, as some young babies are simply short nappers. Infants that are “short” nappers can [...]
How can I help my toddler nap? There are several things that you can do to help your child nap. Keys for a good naptime A good routine for naps will help your child to learn to sleep well and on their own. • Keep naptime at about the same time every day • It’s best to make your [...]
How do I get my child on a nap schedule? Some babies seem to fall into a sleep schedule without any problems while others struggle and tend to have very short sleeps during the day (that is, less than 1 hour per nap). We call these babies ‘cat nappers’. Around 15% of babies catnap and these [...]
My baby screams and cries every time I put her down for a nap. What can I do to change that? Many babies take time to learn to go to sleep, so first of all be patient! Try to develop a little routine so she knows what to expect and when. For example, when she first wakes up from a nap, give her a [...]
How can I help my child with autism settle down and get ready for bed? Many children with autism and other developmental conditions have difficulty calming down and preparing for sleep. The first goal is to help them understand the elements of the bedtime routine. A visual schedule and consistent [...]
How do I help him transition to one nap per day? Little ones transition from taking two naps to one nap per day by about 18-months-old. The easiest way to do that is to slowly move the morning nap a bit later every few days until he is napping at about 1:00 p.m. You will also notice that the [...]
What is a good naptime routine? A good naptime routine is typically a shortened version of the bedtime routine. So, no need to use all the steps – instead, use the last couple of steps. For example, you can go to the bathroom or change a diaper, read a book or sing a song, then have some snuggle [...]
How do I wean my baby from a pacifier? Weaning your baby from using a pacifier can be a tough choice. After all, it probably helps her calm down at sleep times or even just generally throughout the day. Using a pacifier can also protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in young babies. [...]
Where should my little one nap? Ideally, your little one should nap where they sleep at night. Choose an environment that is quiet, dark, and relaxing. If you are not home at naptime, try to find a place for your little one to nap that is similar to where he sleeps overnight – quiet and dark are [...]
My little one has an inconsistent schedule during the day because of work and childcare schedules. What are some things that I can do to keep her naps consistent? If you are able to keep your child’s naptime within an hour each day, she may be able to adjust to these differences fairly easily. [...]