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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 says
im just curious to know – how many days did it take for you to be able to have your bub sleeping well with sleep training?
right from the beginning my son hasn’t been a good sleeper, even with routine in place. all my friends have used some form of cry it out from an early age and their bubs have slept with no drama both naps and night. we have tried it and it is not for us. so for a long time i have been aiding my son to sleep in forms of rocking, singing, patting, etc. and it can vary from less than 5min – over an hour of me being in the room trying to put him to sleep. he’ll still wake up at least once during the night either sitting/standing/looking for his dummy and may need to be re-settled. now that he’s 11.5mo i want him to need less of me to go to sleep… it’s causing trouble when im not around for bed time, especially cos i have recently returned to work, and he is a very active child who finds it hard to wind down and definitely needs to have his naps. ive tried the put down technique from Baby Whisperer but it only makes him more worked up, so i end up picking him back up again. i just feel like im already defeated and no amount of sleep training is going to work. i feel as though my son is like no-body else’s child (which is a good thing, but maybe not in this case when it comes to sleep) and no mum i know really understands how it feels to not have a good sleeping baby.
Emily DeJeu says
@ Lianne — okay. So I’m assuming that he’s really resisting his afternoon nap still? Is that right?
Lianne says
We have transitioned to one nap already. He decided he was having nothing to do with the morning nap anymore in January.
Emily DeJeu says
@ Lianne — quick question: are you still trying to put your 18 month old down twice a day for naps? Or have you already transitioned to one nap a day?
Lianne says
Hi! After lots of ups and downs during the 1st year, my 18-month old finally WAS a great napper (twice a day, 2 hours each) until he figured out how to stand up in his crib at about 13 months. Since then, I dread nap times. Now he just stands and screams when it’s time for a nap, and mostly will only fall asleep in our arms. The strange thing is, he does NOT have this problem at daycare (4 days per week) apparently, and even says “night night” when it’s nap time. He can usually put himself to sleep at bedtime with no problem (although lately he has tried the standing and screaming technique on some nights too, but that’s not the norm) and then typically sleeps 11-12 hours straight. But naps are still the nightmare now. He has dropped his morning nap but still needs his afternoon nap, but it’s not going well. Any advice? Thanks!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Michelle — you ask a really good question! And honestly, you’re right; most of the sleep training info we provide on the blog assumes that the baby in question has a sleep association or two. It’s rare that we come across a mom who’s been putting her infant down awake for naps and nights; most moms have done at least some nursing/rocking to sleep.
It sounds like you’ve already read about the 4 month sleep regression, which is good. Arming yourself with information is key. 😉 Truly, though, I don’t know that I have any real solutions to this problem. It sounds like you’re doing everything right, and it may just be that your son needs some time to adjust to his new sleeping patterns. I realize, of course, that it’s way easier for me to say that than it is for you to actually do it, and that this probably doesn’t bring you any comfort!
As for how to get through this season; you can utilize any kind of sleep training technique you feel comfortable. You’re not necessarily sleep training in the same way that you would be if your son had a sleep association, but the methods still apply here. You might want to try a “check and console” approach — lay your son down awake, and then go into his room at intervals to console him, if he’s still crying.
We have a series on the blog that outlines 6 different sleep training methods: part 1 of that series is here: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/sleep-training-from-no-cry-to-cry-series-part-1/. You can read through that to get an overview of the different techniques you can use to get through this rough patch.
Hope this helps a little, Michelle! I wish I had more clear-cut answers for you. Hang in there, mama — you can do it! And so can your little guy. 🙂
Michelle says
My nearly six month old WAS a great sleeper – slept through from about 10/11pm until 7/8am at two months, and took short-ish but fairly consistent naps during the day. I was elated!! This lasted until he was four months, when things took a turn for the worse. Since then, he’s woken up at least once, usually two or three times a night, and he’s had weeks where he’s woken up four, five, six, seven times a night. I’ve searched your site looking for some suggestions but everything I can find connected with four month sleep regression assumes the baby has some sleep association e.g. Bottle, breast, pacifier, etc. – and my son doesn’t. I’ve put him down FULLY awake since he was very young and he’s put himself to sleep, with very little to no crying every time. With no sleep association to ‘break’, I have no idea what to do, since all the advice here seems to say that, once baby can put himself to sleep, he’ll be able to settle himself during the night as well.
He’s an awesome kid – my neighbours call him ‘the smiley baby’ and are amazed at how happy and non-crying he is. He’s really good tempered and, since he was born, has only ever really cried when he’s been hungry or sick. But he’s definitely even more good-natured when we’ve had a ‘good’ night and some decent day naps. I know I don’t have a lot to complain about, compared to a lot of people here, but I’m so confused because (a) he WAS sleeping so well, and now isn’t; and (b) he has no (known) sleep associations.
His daytime feeds still vary a bit but they’re generally every 2.5-3 hours or so. Sometimes at night he goes 4-5 hours, but other times he’s up every hour. I started him on solids but he was completely uninterested. Any suggestions?
Emily DeJeu says
@ Maryl — glad to hear it’s gotten easier! Thanks for checking in, and for updating us. 🙂
@ Jamie — Sounds like you’ll have a lot on your plate these next few weeks! I know how anxious you must be about this transition, and that’s totally normal. I think a lot of moms feel this way about heading back to work.
As for what to do about sleep training — I think this would be a great time to start sleep training. Your baby’s old enough (at 5 months), and the timing makes sense (since your baby’s daily routine will be changing once you’re back at work.
In terms of how to do it — I can’t offer a ton of specific, tailored advice, since I don’t know your unique situation well, and since I’m not a trained sleep consultant. I’d suggest reading though the resources available via the member’s area (and there’s a ton there, as you’ve probably discovered) and using some of those general pointers to get you started. You can start that way and see what works (and what doesn’t.) Then, you can gradually adjust your sleep training techniques to suit your baby.
Thanks for commenting, Jamie, and for sharing about your upcoming transition. It’s not easy, going back to work — my hear goes out to you! Best of luck to you and your husband, as you start sleep training. Keep us posted on how it goes. 🙂
Jamie says
Hi! My baby just turned 5 months old and, sadly, I have to return back to work in 3 days (hardest thing I will ever have to do in my life!). Unfortunately, my baby has a strong sleep association with nursing. The only way he will go to sleep for naps or night is to nurse! He sleeps in a bassinet next to my bed and he wakes about every 1 1/2 hours at night give or take a half hour, but he usually goes right back to sleep when I nurse and tends to get around 10 or 11 hours of sleep by morning. For naps, I lay with him in bed and nurse till he is asleep and sometimes I can then get up, other times he falls asleep after nursing, in my arms on the couch and I check my email, read, etc while he naps. He naps anywhere from 45min to 2 1/2 hours this way. I have been mulling over what to do….should I sleep train? should I start with naps or nights? My husband is going to be handling our babies transition from me going back to work for the next 3 weeks and I just don’t know what he is going to do about naps, since the only way he goes to sleep is by nursing! So, I feel it would be more important for me to have my husband start sleep training for naps at this point, since I won’t be there to nurse anyway. I recently subscribed to the baby sleep site member webpage and have read the mastering naps portion so far, but I still just don’t know the best way to have my husband go about this. I don’t won’t my baby to suffer any more than he already will be with me going back to work…any advice or tips would be great! Thank you!
Maryl says
Thanks, everybody, for the advice! I was starting the soothing process after only one hour of wake time because he was fighting the naps so hard. I was thinking it couldn’t hurt to get a head start on winding down. For example: he wakes at 6:30, and then we start out in the stroller at 7:30 for a long walk, assuming that he would fall asleep eventually. He didn’t! He just cried! Well these days, I think he’s over the “sleep regression” thing. It’s gotten easier. Thanks again!