How
can you tell if your child needs a nap?
Here
are some of the signs that your child needs a daily
nap:
- Wakes up in a good mood, but gets whiny and cranky
as the day progresses
- Has more patience early in the day, but is easily
aggravated later on
- Cries more easily in the afternoon and evening
than earlier in the day
- Has an afternoon or early evening slump, but gets
a second wind afterwards
- Yawns, rubs eyes, or fusses while getting ready
for bed
- Often falls asleep in the car or when watching
a movie
How much naptime does your child need?
Children
differ in their sleep needs, some needing more or
less than shown here but what follows is a general
guide that applies to most of them. Even if your child’s
sleep hours add up to the right amount, his or her
behavior tells you more than any chart possibly could.
When in doubt – always try for a nap, since
even a period of quiet time can help a child feel
more refreshed.
Average
hours of daytime and nighttime sleep |
| Age |
Number
of naps |
Total
length of naptime hours |
Nighttime
sleep hours** |
Total
of nighttime and naptime sleep |
| Newborn* |
|
|
|
|
| 3
months |
3 |
5
– 6 |
10
– 11 |
15 |
| 6
months |
2 |
3
– 4 |
10
– 11 |
14
– 15 |
| 9
months |
2 |
2
½ - 4 |
11
- 12 |
14 |
| 12
months |
1–2 |
2
– 3 |
11
½ –12 |
13
½ –14 |
| 18
months |
1–2 |
2
– 3 |
11
¼ -12 |
13
– 14 |
| 2
years |
1 |
1–2
½ |
11–12 |
13
– 13 ½ |
| 2
½ years |
1 |
1
½ -2 |
11–11
½ |
13
– 13 ½ |
| 3
years |
1 |
1–1
½ |
11
–11 ½ |
12
– 13 |
| 4
years |
0
-1 |
0
-1 |
11–11
½ |
11
– 12 ½ |
| 5-6
years |
0
-1 |
0
-1 |
11 |
11
– 12 |
*Newborns
sleep 16-18 hours daily, spread over 6-7 sleep periods.
** These averages don’t signify unbroken stretches
of sleep. © Elizabeth Pantley, The No-Cry Sleep
Solution and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers
& Preschoolers (McGraw-Hill)
When
should your child nap?
The
timing of your child’s naps is important since
a nap that occurs too late in the day will prevent
your child from being tired at bedtime. Generally,
the best nap times are:
- If your child takes two naps: midmorning (around
9:00 to 11:00) and early afternoon (around 12:00
to 2:30)
- If your child takes one nap: early afternoon (around
12:00 to 2:30); after lunch
If your child tends towards short naps, don’t
give in and assume that it’s all the nap time
that she needs. Try some of these tips for increasing
the length of naps:
- Give your child lunch or a snack a half hour before
nap.
- Keep the sleeping room dark.
- Play soothing music or white noise during the
entire nap.
- Make certain that discomfort from teething, allergies,
asthma, ear infection or other health issues aren’t
preventing your child from taking a good nap. If
you suspect any of these, schedule a visit to your
health care professional.
Watch for signs of tiredness
Tired
children fall asleep easily. If he isn’t tired
he’ll resist sleep, but if you miss his signals,
he can become overtired and be unable to fall asleep
when you finally do put him to bed. Your child may
demonstrate one or more of these signs that tell you
he is tired and ready to nap - now:
- losing interest in playtime
- rubbing his eyes
- looking glazed or unfocused
- becoming whiny, cranky or fussy
- losing patience with toys, activities or playmates
- having tantrums
- yawning
- lying down or slumping in his seat
- caressing a lovey or blanket
- asking for a pacifier, bottle or to nurse
The nap routine
Once
you have created a nap schedule that works with your
child’s daily periods of tiredness, follow a
simple but specific nap routine. Your child will be
most comfortable if there is a pattern to his day.
He may come to predict when his naptime approaches
and willingly cooperate with you.
Nap
routines change
Children’s
sleep needs change over time, so remember that the
routine that you set up today won’t be the same
one you’re using a year from now. Be adaptable!
Excerpted
with permission by McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Publishing
from The
No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby
Sleep Through the Night
by Elizabeth Pantley, copyright 2002 http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
