All About Baby Naps 

Nap. This is a small word, but for most parents, this is a very important word. Why? Sleep is a major requirement for health. For young children, sleep is important and usually requires some daytime sleep as well. Important physical and mental development takes place in the early childhood stages, and naps provide much-needed growth and helps the body rejuvenate during the downtime.

Taking a nap can also help prevent children from getting overtired, which not only affects their mood, but also makes it difficult for them to fall asleep at night. The siesta time gives parents a simple oasis to solve housework or relax during the day and time.

There is no universal answer as to how much sleep a child needs during the day. It all depends on the age, the child and how much he or she sleeps in 24 hours. For example, a young child may sleep 13 hours at night and only one day at a time, while another child sleeps 9 hours at night but takes 2 hour naps each afternoon.

Although the sleep needs are very personal, these age-specific guidelines give the concept of average daily sleep requirements:

Birth to 6 months:

Infants need about 14 to 18 hours of sleep each day. Young infants tend to sleep 24 hours a day and wake up every 1 to 3 hours to eat. As they approach the age of 4 months, the rhythm of sleep becomes more mature. Most infants sleep 9 to 12 hours at night and usually interrupt feeding. There are 2 to 3 daily naps a day, about 30 minutes to 2 hours each time.

6 to 12 months:

Babies in this age group usually sleep about 14 hours a day. This usually includes naps twice a day, which may last 20 minutes for some babies and several hours for other children. At this age, the baby may not need to wake up for feeding at night, but may begin to experience separation anxiety, which may cause sleep disturbances.

Infants (1 to 3 years old):

Young children usually require 12 to 14 hours of sleep, including a 1 to 3 hour nap. Young children may still need two naps, but naps should not be too close to bedtime, as they may make it difficult for children to fall asleep at night.

Sleep is vital for development

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years old):

Preschoolers spend an average of 11 to 12 hours in the evening and sleep in the morning. Most people give up this nap before the age of 5.

School Age (5 to 12 years):

Children of school age need about 10 to 11 hours in the evening. Some 5-year-old kids may still need to take a nap. If frequent naps are not possible, they may need an earlier bedtime.

Most parents underestimate the number of children who need to sleep, so be sure to pay attention to the child’s signs of sleep deprivation, ranging from obvious issues such as fatigue to behavior and homework.

Ask yourself:

• Does my child sleep during the day?
• Will my child be fierce and angry in the late afternoon?
• Does my child get up in the morning?
• Is my child inattentive, impatient, hyperactive or active?
• Is it difficult for my child to concentrate on homework and other tasks?

If your answer to any of these questions was a”yes”, think about re-adjusting your child’s sleep or nap schedule. It may take several weeks to find the correct routine. If you are worried about your child’s sleep, please consult with a sleep consultant or a doctor.

The key to a good nap can be as simple as establishing a good nap in the early stages and sticking to it. For babies, pay attention to tips, such as fuss, rub your eyes, and then let your baby go to bed while sleeping, but not yet asleep.  Soft music during sleep, dim lighting or a quiet story or rhyme can help ease sleep transitions and become a source of child comfort.

Or you could do one other thing – want to learn how to make your baby go from a light sleeper to a great sleeper? Enroll in Ms Sarah Ong’s Easy Peasy Sleepy time online class and help your baby sleep peacefully while you too get your special time for yourself! Join today!

References:

Babycenter

Baby Sleep Site

Tags

• Baby sleep
• Development
• Naps
• Naptime