We all want our babies to take long, luxurious naps but how long is too long? Is a 3-hour nap too long for a baby? The short answer is no, it’s not too long IF that’s what your baby needs! However, the answer isn’t always so straightforward. As a sleep consultant for over 10 years, I can tell you that there are sometimes you want to wake your baby. I’m happy to share tips for your baby’s schedule today!
3-Hour Naps for Newborns
Newborn babies tend to sleep a lot in the early days. Therefore, 3-hour naps would be considered normal unless your newborn is confusing days and nights. If your baby is awake for long periods at night then you may NOT want to let your newborn nap for so long during the day. When we are fixing day/night confusion, we typically limit any single nap to a maximum of two hours.
We have to let newborns sleep for long periods of time because they are adjusting to the outside world and get overstimulated very quickly. Some doctors even say they need a fourth trimester. If you don’t let your baby sleep enough, they can become very fussy.
You May Also Be Interested In…
4 to 12 Month Olds
Babies older than the newborn stage usually sleep 2 to 4 hours during the day, in total, depending on the age of your baby. 4 to 6-month-olds tend to sleep 3-4 hours and 6+ month-olds tend to sleep for 2-3 hours during the day.
Since a baby’s wake window is typically shorter, it is customary for naps to range from 30 minutes to 2 hours during the day. If your baby is taking a 3-hour nap during the day, it could cause problems in your schedule. This is because if your baby needs 4 hours of sleep during the day, but sleeps 3 hours in a single nap, that doesn’t leave a lot of time for the rest of the day. This can cause over-tiredness or too much daytime sleep which can cause insomnia or what we call a split night.
Therefore, in this age range, yes, a 3-hour nap could be too long for your baby! Of course, there are many schedules that work for families but, in general, we find that anything over two hours for a 4 to 12-month-old is usually too long.
You May Also Be Interested In…
3-Hour Naps for Toddlers
When your baby becomes a toddler and drops to one nap, that nap tends to be 2 to 3 hours long. Therefore, a 3-hour nap is NOT generally too long for a toddler who is 13+ months old and on a 1-nap schedule. Most toddlers need 10-12 hours of sleep at night and 2-3 hours during the day on a 1-nap schedule.
On the other hand, if you have a toddler who is 18 months to 3 years old and is taking a 3-hour nap, this could be causing problems at night. Your 18+-month-old could be taking too long to fall asleep at bedtime, staying awake for long periods in the middle of the night, or
If your child is napping for 3 hours during the day, sleeping well at night, and everyone is happy, I’d say a 3-hour nap is just right!
You May Also Be Interested In…
I hope this article has helped you determine if your baby or toddler is napping too long during the day. We’re happy to help!
Need Baby and Toddler Sleep Help? We Have the Resources You Need!
If you are tired of wading through stacks of baby sleep books that just aren’t working, if you are beyond exhausted and just can’t solve your child’s sleep problems on your own…then personalized sleep consulting is for you. We have been around since 2008 and invite you to tap into our MANY years of experience. Our team of expert consultants will create a Personalized Sleep Plan® just for your family and then support you through every step of implementing your plan. We encourage you to consider our personalized, one-on-one baby and toddler sleep consultation packages if you want to see real, meaningful results now. Your consultation package also includes ample follow-up help, designed to help you troubleshoot problems and tweak your plan as needed.
Learn More About Services
For those persistent nighttime struggles, check out The 3 Step System to Help Your Baby Sleep. Using the same unique approach and practical tools for success, this e-book helps you and your baby sleep through the night.
Learn More About The 3-Step System
If you’re looking for ways to get your baby or toddler into a healthy sleeping routine during the day, explore Mastering Naps and Schedules, a comprehensive guide to napping routines, nap transitions, and all the other important “how-tos” of good baby sleep. With over 45 sample sleep schedules and worksheets, Mastering Naps and Schedules is a hands-on tool ideal for any parenting style.
Learn More About Mastering Naps
For those persistent toddler sleep struggles, check out The 5 Step System to Help Your Toddler Sleep. Using the same unique approach and practical tools for success, this e-book helps you and your toddler sleep through the night and enjoy a better daytime schedule.
Learn More About The 5-Step System
Join our VIP Members Area packed with exclusive content and resources: e-Books, assessments, detailed case studies, expert advice, and more. As a VIP member, you’ll also enjoy a weekly chat with an expert sleep consultant.
Learn More About VIP Membership
Credit : Source Post
