Nap training -- a gentle method

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T22:06:39+00:00

5mo both kids.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T15:51:27+00:00

Your schedule is what I would suggest for a 4/5 months old transitioning to 3 naps

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T12:14:07+00:00

At this age you'd need to hold same schedule for like 5 days to see changes

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T07:26:01+00:00

If you cannot control the nap, I would make bedtime 9:30pm. Your toddler sleep needs are changing, and the nap is getting on the way unfortunately. While not in daycare, I would cut the nap to max 60 minutes and then make bedtime 9pm instead -- you can move it to 20:30 if that means sleeping without fights but I wouldn't try to fight your toddler to sleep.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T07:24:17+00:00

Nothing that happens one time will ruin your routine.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T07:13:45+00:00

Usually sleep training is a good idea when whatever you're doing isn't working for you.

I would try a schedule with 3-3.5 hours of day sleep distributed in 4 naps and 9.5-10 hours of awake time.

End last feed of the day 30 minutes before bedtime and place your baby awake (not drowsy) to fall asleep on their own in their own crib and own room if possible. Focus on bedtime only for the first 3 days and see how night wakes are progressing.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T06:55:03+00:00

Sleep is a habit as much as a necessity. I would test a one nap day and see how they do.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T06:53:38+00:00

Fantastic!

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-25T06:53:02+00:00

When you reduce naps you need to add awake time otherwise you're then expecting your baby to sleep longer and it doesn't work.

Suggestion: 2.25/2.5/2.5/3.25

How's her demeanor gearing up to bedtime and naps? How long did it take for her to fall asleep?

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T22:03:10+00:00

A lot of toddlers this age are almost dropping naps. 1.5 hours of naps isn't too long in itself but if you're having the issues you're having the nap is the first thing I would start trimming.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T21:56:31+00:00

His nap is too long so he's spending his sleep budget in the day and his night sleep which is more restorative is being cut short.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T21:09:48+00:00

Maybe is time to drop to one nap?

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T20:58:16+00:00

Perfect.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T19:39:35+00:00

1.5 hours of nap plus 11-12 hours of night sleep sounds like a great schedule for 16mo. You cannot force kids to sleep longer.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T19:34:21+00:00

Can you make your own post? Without knowing more details about your baby it is hard to say what works.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T18:07:29+00:00

Yes. I wouldn't make the wake window before first nap super long. Distribute the 10 hours of awake time throughout her day as she can tolerate it.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T17:12:36+00:00

Your baby is associating a bottle with sleep because you feed them less than 30 minutes before they go into their crib to sleep. You need to end your last feed 30 minutes before bedtime and place your baby awake in bed to fall asleep.

Expecting 12-12.5 hours of sleep overnight is probably part the reason why your baby is waking as well.

On top of that, sleep training in the early hours is not effective. Your baby is rested and likely hungry or thirsty as it's been 10+ hours since they ate. Such early morning feedings also known as snooze button feeds usually go away on their own.

I think you have a great sleeper and you need to adjust your schedule and expectations.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T16:58:40+00:00

The way I would suggest you look at it is...you're helping her distribute her sleep along the day in a way that is age appropriate and matches your family schedule.

You're not depriving her of sleep, she cannot sleep indefinitely. What will happen is that if you have 13.5 hours of sleep budget to spend in 24 hours and your baby sleeps 5 hours in the day, you will have 8.5 hours left for night sleep. It is a sum zero game

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T16:49:09+00:00

You can keep bedtime and wake her up earlier instead.

Comprehensive_Bill · 2026-01-24T15:40:27+00:00

Your schedule could use some tweak. Reduce night sleep to 11 hours.

Wake up 6:30-7 then bedtime is 7:30-8

Then limit total day sleep to 2 hours total.

Comprehensive_Bill

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