Babies need naps. Let's be clear about that. Naps are not optional, naps are not "bonus" sleep sessions....naps are necessary for proper infant growth and development. That said - try telling that to your baby! Even the best nighttime sleeper can be a prizewinning "nap fighter". Knowing your child needs naps, and doing all in your power to ensure that she gets them, doesn't always mean that your child really WILL nap. So why does your baby fight naps, and what can you do about it? Read on
getting baby to nap
10 Must-Know Baby and Toddler Nap Facts. (#7 May Surprise You!)
We've written quite a bit about baby and toddler naps here on the blog, so if you've been following our site for a while, you've had the chance to read a lot of baby and toddler nap tips and tidbits. But, some of you are new moms or new to The Baby Sleep Site® and we strive to educate all of our parents on the importance of good sleep and how to achieve it! Today, we're presenting you with 10 must-know facts about your baby's or toddler's naps. Think of it as your nap "cheat sheet". ;)
7 Tips When Baby Won’t Nap
Today's post will give you 7 tips to use when your baby won't nap, so let's get to it! 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
How Rigid Should Your Baby’s Nap Schedule Be?
We talk a lot here at the Baby Sleep Site™ about how all babies are different (that's why we don't believe in any one-size-fits-all solutions for baby sleep problems!) Here's something else we believe: parents are different, too! Talk to 10 different sets of moms and dads, and you'll likely uncover a variety of parenting methods and philosophies. It's our belief that this diversity is a good thing. It keeps life interesting! These differences among parents often extend to the
5 Things You Need to Know About Baby and Toddler Naps
We've written quite a bit about baby and toddler naps here on the blog, so if you've been following our site for a while, you've had the chance to read a lot of baby and toddler nap tips and tidbits. But, some of you are new moms or new to The Baby Sleep Site® and we strive to educate all of our parents on the importance of good sleep and how to achieve it! Today, we're presenting you with 5 must-know facts about your baby's or toddler's naps. Think of it as your nap "cheat sheet". ;) And
Should Your Baby Nap in the Infant Swing?
If you have a baby at home, then you know a thing or two about baby gear, don't you? ;) The crib, the changing table, the toys...how can such a little person need so much stuff?! Here's a piece of gear most parents are very familiar with: the infant swing. Do you have one of these? If so, then you know first-hand how nice it can be to settle your baby snugly into his swing, turn it on, and then walk away as your little one is gently rocked to sleep. Win! Of course, your baby may
Why Baby Nap Sleep Is Different Than Night Sleep
Raise your hand if this describes the scene in your home: bedtime is peaceful and easy (and followed by hours of uninterrupted sleep), while naptime is a raging battle of wills (followed by little to no sleep at all.) Guess what? My hand would be up right now, if I didn’t need both hands to type this post. ;) That scenario is a familiar one here at The Baby Sleep Site. We hear from a lot of frazzled parents who can’t figure out why their babies and toddlers sleep so perfectly (or at
5 Ways to Help Your Baby or Toddler Nap While Traveling
So many of us LOVE vacation! Whether you’re off to a tropical resort, to a cabin in the woods, or just to your parents’ house, vacation offers you the chance to escape your real-life and spend a few days or weeks relaxing. Unless that is, you’re vacationing with a baby or toddler. If that’s the case, scratch the “relaxing” part; your vacation might feel like a whole lot of work! As Glennon Doyle of Momastery.com post once wrote, “DUDE. Vacation is hard. Everyone came WITH me. And they
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
