All babies sleep in the car! At least, that’s what I was told as a new mom. The problem was, neither of my daughters got that memo! They weren't lulled to peaceful dreamland by the soft hum of my ’08 Toyota. Instead, both babies would stay awake and cry, as they got more and more overtired. The well-meaning comments by other parents that my daughters should be able to sleep in the car drove me batty! What was wrong with them or me or our car seat, etc, etc, etc? Having a baby who doesn’t sleep
baby napping
Baby Nap Chart: Learn How Long Baby Should Nap, and How Many Naps Baby Needs
We get nap questions really frequently from our clients - particularly these two questions: How many naps does my baby need? How long should my baby's naps be? Well, we're answering both in today's article. We hope you'll use this chart as an ongoing reference tool, since it covers nap totals and lengths from the newborn stage all the way through age 3. Print off a copy for yourself and use it as an easy reference tool - and consider printing off a few for your friends or family
Baby Won’t Nap? Here Are 7 Reasons Why (#7 Is Surprising!)
Nap time is, without a doubt, a tired parent's favorite time of day. Baby goes down for a much-need snooze, leaving mom and dad time to have some much-needed "me time". But of course, in order for your baby's nap time to be a favorite time of day, your baby has to actually, you know, TAKE A NAP. And therein lies the problem, for many parents! So many of you have written in to us over the years, letting us know that your baby won't nap, and you are at a loss as to why. Baby is tired?
10 Naptime Tips You Can Use Today
Naps that are too short, or naps that are erratic and don't follow any kind of predictable pattern, can sure get a parent down. It's especially frustrating when your baby or toddler has been napping well, but then naps suddenly go into a tailspin. (Hint - this often happens during a sleep regression, or during a nap transition.) If you're struggling with erratic or shortened naps, don't worry - we can help! In today's article, we offer 10 quick tips that you can put to use
3 Signs Your Baby or Toddler Nap Expectations Are Unreasonable
We all want our babies and toddlers to take long, restorative naps at regular times each day, right? Judging by how popular our nap articles are with all of you, I'm betting you answered 'Yes!' to that question! But here's something to consider - are the expectations you have for your baby or toddler's naps unreasonable? How can you be sure that your nap expectations are reasonable, and are in keeping with what your baby or toddler is capable of? Sometimes, when we work with parents who say
7 Tips When Baby Won’t Nap
You know what's cute? A cooing, babbling baby who's grinning ear to ear as she holds onto her crib bars and jumps up and down on her mattress. So adorable! Except that it's nap time. And she's not supposed to be cooing or babbling or jumping. She's supposed to be SLEEPING, for Pete's sake, and giving her poor parents a break! Not so cute anymore, right? I know a lot of you can identify with that picture, because you have a baby or toddler who simply refuses to nap. You try
How Many Naps Does Your Baby or Toddler Actually Need?
Napping is a hot topic around The Baby Sleep Site®, and it’s no wonder: most of us count nap time as our favorite time of the day! Of course, naps are essential for the health and development of your baby, but don’t count yourself out -- you need a little downtime during the day, too! And naps offer the perfect opportunity for you to get a little breather. One of the most popular questions we get around here (aside from “How can I get my baby to nap longer?”) is “How many naps does
Can the “Wake to Sleep” Method Help Lengthen Your Baby’s Short Naps?
An older, wiser friend once told me, “Baby naps are God’s way of saying to parents, ‘I love you. Now go take a shower.’” Pretty accurate, right? Most parents look forward to naptimes, those brief interludes when you can actually pause for breath, do the never-ending chores, or have a little "me" time. Of course, when it comes to naps, not all babies are created equal, are they? Some of you may have babies who are marathon nappers, providing you with several hours of uninterrupted time
Should Your Baby Nap in a Light or Dark Room?
Some say your baby's nursery should be light during the day to avoid day / night confusion while others say a darkened room will help your baby nap better. Who's right? This article will discuss whether your baby's room should be light or dark at nap time and why. It is true that your baby can get confused as to whether it is daytime or nighttime, if they are in a dark place too long and for too much of the day. This is because light or sunlight stimulating our eyes is what "sets" our