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Your Baby’s Start On Solid Foods: A Comprehensive Guide
If there’s one thing we’ve written A LOT about here at The Baby Sleep Site®, it’s sleep training. Dare we say we’re sleep training experts? 😉
And usually, when we talk about sleep training, we’re talking about sleep in general — both nap time sleep and nighttime sleep.
Today, however, we’re going to consider the two separately. We’ll compare nap training and night training, and we’ll explore when it’s best for nap training to happen.
In Some Ways, Nap Sleep Training Is Different Than Nighttime Sleep Training
Why? Because nap time sleep is different than nighttime sleep. Remember, according to Dr. Weissbluth, nap sleep and nighttime sleep are actually controlled by different parts of the brain.
Some families find that naps are easier, but many of the families we work with testify to just the opposite: that naps are HARD. And that’s understandable. Naps tend to be less predictable and routine than nighttime sleep. That’s especially true if you’re an on-the-go parent who doesn’t spend loads of time at home. And of course, your baby or toddler’s naptime environment is far different than his nighttime environment. Nights tend to be dark and quiet — days not so much!
Something else to factor in: nap time sleep needs change and shift more than nighttime sleep needs. Your child will go through a handful of nap transitions in the first few years of life, because as he gets older, he needs progressively less daytime sleep.
So what does this mean for your sleep training plans? It means that training your baby or toddler for naps may present different challenges than training her for nights. So don’t be surprised if certain sleep training techniques work well at bedtime but not at nap time (and vice versa).
It also means that you may have to be more persistent in your nap time training. This isn’t true for every family, of course, but it might be true for you. Don’t be surprised if your baby or toddler gets nighttime sleep figured out but still struggles with naps.
In Other Ways, Nap Sleep Training and Nighttime Sleep Training Are Very Similar
Training your baby or toddler to nap well may be a little more challenging than training her to sleep well at night. And you might find that you have to use different sleep training techniques at nap time.
But overall, nap training and night training follow the same basic principles, and they’re based on the same premise. Remember, sleep training is simply the practice of helping your baby or toddler overcome his bad sleep habits and learn new, healthy ones. That applies to both naps and nighttime sleep.
One of the biggest goals of sleep training is to help a baby or toddler overcome sleep associations. And sleep associations usually apply to both nap time sleep and nighttime sleep. For instance, a baby who has to be rocked to sleep at night will probably insist on being rocked to sleep for naps, too. A toddler who needs mom in his room in order to fall asleep at night will probably need her there at naptime as well. So in this way, sleep training for naps and sleep training for nights are similar.
Another overarching purpose of sleep training is to create some predictability and routine in a baby’s or toddler’s schedule.The level of scheduling depends on the family, of course; some parents want concrete, down-to-the-minute schedules while others simply want to establish some general times for meals and sleep. Regardless of the type of schedule desired, however, the “predictability and routine” aspect of sleep training affects both naps and nights. You’ll need to establish a timeframe for naps and for bedtime, and you’ll need to build some routines that will help ease your baby or toddler into both nap time and bedtime. Again, in this way, sleep training for naps and for nights tend to be the same.
When Should Nap Training Happen?
In terms of when to nap train your baby or toddler, you have three options:
- Do nap training and night training together: Some families opt to tackle naps and nights together, and to sleep train for both at the same time. This is kind of a “rip the band-aid off all at once” approach — it can be painful while it’s happening, but it’s over fairly quickly. Some parents also prefer this method because they feel it helps maintain consistency and eliminate confusion. If you’re nursing your baby to sleep for naps but not at night, that can be confusing for your little one, and it can cause setbacks.
- Do nap training first: Other families prefer to deal with naps first, and leave night training for later. For some parents, it feels less stressful to deal with crying and fussing during the day, as opposed to dealing with it at 3 a.m. And parents who take this approach sometimes report that when their baby or toddler starts napping consistently, it actually helps their nighttime sleep, since they’re not getting overtired during the day. This approach may make more sense for those babies or toddlers whose nights aren’t terrible, but whose naps are.
- Do night training first: Of course, some babies and toddlers nap pretty well but are up all night. In those cases, it could make more sense to focus on nighttime sleep training first. Some families prefer this approach because they feel that if they can finally get the rest they need at night, they’ll be more equipped to deal with any nap time drama that might happen during the day.
Nicole’s Note:
“Every family will be a little different. We do offer newborn-friendly nap strategies, including sample sleep-inducing routines for newborns in our e-book, Essential Keys To Your Newborn’s Sleep, as well as special Personalized Sleep Plans™ specifically crafted to guide your newborn baby to better naps in a gentle, safe way. If you still haven’t nap trained and your baby is now an older infant, or a toddler, it’s never too late. Of course, the closer he is to the age of transitioning away from naps (3-4 years old), the harder it will likely be (not to mention how persistence only increases!) We generally start with nights and follow with naps soon thereafter, but again, every family’s needs are a little different, so we keep an open mind. We do not have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ type of mindset around here.”
When you nap train is up to you, of course, and will depend on a lot of unique factors (your parenting preferences, your family’s schedule, your baby’s temperament, etc.) But as you work to create a nap training plan, keep this in mind: your goals in nap training will probably be the same as those in night training. But the training itself may look a little different, or progress differently, since nap sleep is different than night sleep.
And remember: if you need a little extra help in your nap training, we’re here for you!
For even more nap and schedule help, check out these members-only resources, found in our VIP Members Area:
- Mastering Naps and Schedules e-Book (unlimited member access at no extra cost!)
- Custom Schedule-Maker (unlimited access – make as many schedules as you’d like! Includes meal times)
- Nap Transitions tele-seminar with Nicole Johnson
- Short Naps tele-seminar with Nicole Johnson
- How To Put Your Child on a Schedule tele-seminar with Nicole Johnson
- 5 Tips To Manage Nap Transitions [EXPANDED MEMBER-ONLY VERSION]
- 5 Tips For Handling Tough Daycare Nap Schedules [EXPANDED MEMBER-ONLY VERSION]
- Day-by-Day Nap Training Plan
- Downloadable Sleep/Nap Coaching Plan Workbook (learn how to create your own nap coaching plan!)
- Printable Schedule Shifts Forward (great for daylight saving time change)
Not a VIP member? Not a problem! Join today, and you’ll receive instant access to our vast online library of sleep coaching resources.
How To Nap Train Your Baby or Toddler, and Improve Nap Sleep
Short or non-existent baby naps can be so frustrating – but you don’t have to suffer through them! We have a ton of nap resources – and one of those nap resources is our free guide, 7 Common Napping Mistakes. Are you making any of these common nap mistakes? If so, they may be the cause of your baby’s non-napping. So download your free guide today, and start putting the tips to use as early as your baby’s next nap!
Personalized Baby and Toddler Nap Help That Works – Guaranteed!
Don’t feel up to working on your baby or toddler’s nap challenges on your own? While our VIP Members Area is great for DIY parents who prefer to tackle sleep challenges on their own, we know that other parents much prefer to go straight to one-on-one help. Well, good news – we offer that, and you can start getting the personal help you need TODAY!
Browse our list of consultation package options here.
Once you make your choice and purchase, you will immediately receive an e-mail with your Helpdesk login information. You’ll be able to log in and get started right away!
Want more information about how personalized help works? Check out our FAQ page here, and get answers.
Baby and Toddler Sleep Resources That Work – Guaranteed!
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 10+ 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.
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.
If you’re looking for ways to get your baby or toddler into a healthy sleeping routine during the day, I encourage you to 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 planning worksheets, Mastering Naps and Schedules is a hands-on tool ideal for any parenting style.
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.
Or, join our VIP Members Area packed with exclusive content and resources: e-Books, assessments, detailed case studies, expert advice, peer support, and more. It actually costs less to join than buying products separately! As a VIP member, you'll also enjoy a weekly chat with an expert sleep consultant. And the best part - members receive 20% off all sleep consultation services!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Adriana — Within the next two months or so, you should start to notice those four shorter naps narrowing down to three naps, and then to two. As they do, they’ll become longer. The fact that they’re short now, actually, could be an indication that a three-nap-a-day routine is on the horizon.
@ Kate B — glad this afternoon was successful! And glad to hear you have a good nighttime sleeper on your hands 🙂 That does make a world of difference, doesn’t it?
Kate B says
Thanks Emily! I had some success bouncing him back to sleep for a longer nap this morning and he was definitely a happier baby for the next hour or so. And I have to say, he’s a good night sleeper so I can’t complain too much!
Adriana says
@Emily
Thanks! He is not happy 100% of the time though, and it’s frustrating that his naps are this short. When do naps become longer? I have read that longer naps are better for babies. Thanks for your reply!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Lianne — this must be so frustrating for you. 🙁 I don’t have any magic solutions, of course; I’d simply recommend sticking to your guns, and continuing on with trying to put him down awake. You can take the CIO element as far as you’re comfortable, of course; going in to console him from time to time is perfectly fine. But it he can nap well at daycare, then he can definitely nap well at home; it’s probably just a matter of helping him realize that.
Wish I had a more definitive solution for you, Lianne! But it sounds to me like you’re doing everything well. Hope this passes for you soon.
Lianne says
Yes, he is still resisting his afternoon nap, most days, but only at home. I put him down and he stands up and screams until I come back in. We had some success the other day though… read him a story and put him down on his stomach (like they do at daycare)– he gave out one wail as I left the room but stayed down and then slept for 2.5 hours! He must have been really tired. But then yesterday we had to fight with the screaming and standing again… after giving him a bottle and multiple tries, he finally stayed down and slept for 1.5 hours. He still needs the nap, but doesn’t seem to want to go down for it.
Emily DeJeu says
@ Kate B — I’d definitely recommend waiting another month or so. We don’t advocate any form of CIO before 4 months. I’d say for now, do what’s easiest for both of you, then, in another month, start with some gentle CIO (if that’s the method you want to try.) Other options for helping him sleep could include a short nap in the swing, or maybe wearing him in the baby carrier at naptime. None of those is ideal, of course, and they’re not things you’ll want to do long-term, but they’d make good short-term solutions, to help you get through the next month.
Thanks for commenting, Kate! Be sure to check in in the next few months and let us know how it’s going. 🙂
Kate B says
I’m trying to nap train my 3 month old. I know that seems young, but I’ve seen some evidence that he can self-soothe. The reason I’m trying to train him to nap on his own this: when he’s tired (assuming that I’m interpreting his cues correctly!), he cries whenever I go to put him down for naps (we’ve tried a routine of diaper change, wrap in a blanket [one arm out for comfort], and a story). He cries if I hold him, he cries if I put him down, and he just cries, cries, cries! So last Friday I let him cry himself to sleep–it worked at least 3 times that day, and he did it in less than 7 minutes each time! But it’s gotten worse since then, and he has been soooo cranky the last two days.
So I guess my question is should I keep trying? Or should I give it another month? Should I try another method, even though I don’t seem to be able to comfort him without nursing? Right now, my fallback is bouncing him in his carseat carrier, but I don’t have the strength to do that forever! Help!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Adriana — honestly, it sounds like you’re doing things perfectly! Your routine sounds great (although if he seems to want to race through it, then you could cut parts of it out, or at least shorten them.)
As for his naps being too short — by my math, it sounds like your son is getting about 13.5 hours of sleep total. And babies this age need between 13-15 total hours of sleep, so I’d say your son is likely getting the sleep he needs (especially if, as you say, he seems happy and content when he’s awake.) It doesn’t matter so much how the sleep is divided up during the day and at night — as long as his sleep totals are between 13-15 hours, all is well.
Congrats on having such a great sleeping routine in place, Adriana! And thanks for commenting. 🙂
Adriana says
Hi! My baby is 5 months and a half. He sleeps from 7 PM to 6:30 AM (usually) with one feeding at night. During the day he takes 4 naps of half an hour each, which does not seem enough to me. I nap trained him to sleep on his own, so he is put awake in the crib. I don’t know how to make his naps longer, I have tried the wake to sleep method but it’s just too much work and I’ve seen you don’t recommend it. When are naps going to become longer? I am worried he is not getting enough sleep, although he seems happy. At night I have sleep trained him but I wonder sometimes if my routine is OK because once we start the routine he gets impatient and seems to want to get over it fast, is this normal? My routine is the usual, massage, pjs, song, breastfeeding, a bit of rocking and bed (awake). Do I need to train him in another way? Thanks for your help!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Emily (lovely name, by the way! 😉 ) — I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling with sleep training. But rest assured, you’re NOT alone in this! We’ve worked with many families whose babies didn’t respond well to CIO, and who just don’t seem to sleep well, regardless of what mom and dad try. The good news is that your baby can sleep well; the harder news is that it may take you awhile to figure out what works (and it may take your baby awhile to learn new sleeping habits and patterns.)
Have you looked into our personalized consultations at all? (https://www.babysleepsite.com/baby-toddler-sleep-consulting-services/) They’re great options for parents who’ve already tried sleep training on their own, but who haven’t had much success. The consultations usually prove to be lifesavers for parents of “stubborn sleepers”. 🙂
Hope this provides you with a good starting place for seeking some help, Emily! And thanks for commenting, and for reaching out. Keep us posted on what you end up doing, and let us know how it’s going!