As per the experts, a growing baby needs to have proper sleep for its overall development. Initially, you would have noticed that your baby keeps sleeping and only asks for breastfeeding. Naps are normal during that time and are quite predictable. When things suddenly start falling out of place like, your baby is not willing to take the second nap, or if their sleep time is shrinking during the night, you must understand that it’s time to transition your baby from two naps to one nap.
It is common for babies to take two naps every day, but as your baby grows, their wake time increases reducing the nap times or even dropping one nap in a day. This is normal for your growing baby, and the transition from two to one nap won’t negatively impact your baby’s growth.
In This Article
- When Should a Baby Go From 2 to 1 Nap?
- Signs to Look For When Transitioning From Two Naps to One Nap
- How Do I Transition My Baby From Two Naps to One Nap?
- When Should You Avoid Switching Your Baby to a 1 Nap Schedule?
- FAQ’s
When Should a Baby Go From 2 to 1 Nap?
In the initial phase of their life, a baby tends to take two naps during the entire day, that is, one nap in the morning and the other in the afternoon or sometimes in the evening.
Ideally, you must understand that your baby is ready for transition if you observe sudden or gradual changes in their routine nap times like
- Reduced nap time
- Waking at night or not sleeping well at night
- Being consistent in skipping their nap
[Read : Establishing a Bedtime Routine For Babies]
Signs to Look For When Transitioning From Two Naps to One Nap
When your baby goes through a 2-to-1 nap transition, they give certain hints.
Here are some of the top signs which you might notice in your baby when they face a transition from 2 to 1
1. Staying up
Many babies in their early stages usually need sleep after meals or when they feel lethargic, probably in the afternoon. But if your baby stays up for 4 hours non-stop, then this hints that your baby is ready. When your baby is ready to transition, you will notice that they remain awake for multiple hours and don’t sleep well at night.
2. Refusing to Take The Second Nap
If you try to put your baby to sleep for the second nap and face rejection from the other side, it indicates that your baby is up for a transition. Rejection can come either during the morning nap or the afternoon nap. But do not take it this way. Your baby will not have rest time if they don’t sleep. Hence, you should help them rest by turning on some light music to help them relax.
How Do I Transition My Baby From Two Naps to One Nap?
If you are looking to transition your baby from 2 to 1 nap per day, you may first face a bit of struggle. You need to be very patient as your baby might not settle for it immediately. But as you move ahead, if you manage it right, they can move on comfortably with the new routine.
It’s a fight, we understand! There can be situations where your baby slips back into the old routine, but it is completely okay. But ensure that they are not used to it as it may reduce and disturb their good night’s sleep. Read books, sing some rhythms for them, or play with them to distract them from sleeping.
[Read : Top Best Baby Songs to Sing to Your Baby With Videos]
When Should You Avoid Switching Your Baby to a 1 Nap Schedule?
If you are preparing to switch your baby from 2 naps to 1 nap daily and if your baby is disinterested in the same, it is better to avoid it. A forced transition can make them cranky and fussy. If you did it way before your baby is ready, it might take longer for babies to adjust to their new sleep schedules. Hence, it is always better to go for it when you feel your baby is ready.
Once a mother, your whole world revolves around the baby and its schedules. As your baby grows, the routine changes. They are awake more and their sleep time during the day comes down. If you notice any such signs, get ready to transition them from 2 naps to 1 nap. However, the sleep cycles of each baby differ and as they grow, not going to sleep during the day can also help them sleep well and longer during the night.
FAQ’s
1. Are Morning and Afternoon Naps Longer For Babies?
Morning nap is shorter, and your baby can have the same schedule until six months old. Morning naps are usually 90 minutes long, but they may come down to 30 minutes with their growing age.
2. How Long After the Last Nap is Bedtime For Baby?
The gap keeps varying depending on their age. A 4-5 hour gap is ideal after their last nap.
Read Also: 12 Month Old Baby Sleep Schedule – Sample Schedule, Problems and Tips
