Your napping baby doesn't just give you a few hours of reprieve each day. Napping is an important part of your baby's sleep cycle, which ultimately aids in growth and development, according to the website KidsHealth. Make sure that your baby gets restorative sleep in bed by creating an environment that is conducive to sleep. The way you schedule your day and the connotations attached to napping also have a bearing on how easy and effective nap time is for you and your baby.
Step 1
Invest in a white noise machine, suggests Dr. William Sears, pediatrician and Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. A white noise machine makes background noise, such as wave sounds or sounds similar to static on the radio. This cancels out a lot of the regular daytime sounds that can keep your baby awake when you put her down for a nap.
Step 2
Find a comfort object--such as a thin blanket or a small,soft toy--that your baby finds comforting during naps. You might even sleep with it for a few nights so it retains your scent. Then, put the object in your baby's bed at nap time. Make sure the object remains in the bed so your baby associates the comfort object with sleep time. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an item that is big enough to cover your baby's mouth and nose can be dangerous, so choose something small and light.
Step 3
Follow a predictable and consistent nap time routine each day. Watch your child for a few days, and write down the times where he seems sleepy or cranky. Use that natural schedule to institute a nap time schedule throughout the day, putting your baby in bed at the times when she's most likely to become drowsy. As you follow the routine consistently, you'll set your baby's internal clock for better nap times, which will in turn affect how she sleeps through the night.
Step 4
Give quick goodbyes when you put your baby in bed for a nap, according to the website FamilyEducation. While many babies and toddlers suffer from separation anxiety, making your goodbyes, kisses and hugs drag out before a nap can make her separation anxiety worse. Instead, say goodbye quickly and leave the room. If your baby continues to fuss, let her know you're near, but avoid picking her up. She'll soon learn to fall asleep in her bed easily at nap time without the fussing.
