Your child's physical and emotional development occurs while she is sleeping. Naps are imperative to your child's health. A nap that is too long or too short could cause crankiness before bedtime and restless sleep at night. Talk to your child's pediatrician before making any changes in her schedule, especially if she has health conditions.
6 to 12 Weeks
When your baby is between 6 and 12 weeks old, it's time to implement a flexible nap time schedule. Before 6 weeks, it's fine to allow your baby to sleep as often as necessary with no discernible pattern, according to the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board in the article "Naps: The Basics." As he begins to sleep less, plan on three to four naps throughout the day, at a length of approximately two to four hours each.
6 Months
A baby begins taking fewer naps when she is approximately 6 months old. Put your child down twice a day, for one to three hours per nap. Give her one nap in the morning and one in the afternoon. If your child is getting too cranky and tired in the early evening, add an extra nap. Put her down once in the morning, once in the early afternoon and once in the late afternoon for approximately one hour per nap.
12 to 18 Months
When your child is a year old, it's time to rethink his napping schedule. She should be taking one to two naps per day at about one hour each. If your child usually gets cranky in the afternoon, stick with two naps. If she seems happy and alert all day with only an hour nap, this is probably all she needs. Each child needs a different nap schedule, so pay attention to signals from your baby to determine how much sleep she needs. If she rubs her eyes or cries more than usual in the afternoon, she may need more rest.
2 to 4 Years
As your child gets older, he is more likely to resist taking a nap. He is expressing her new independence the ability to choose her own schedule. Maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere at nap time to keep her from getting distracted and help her relax. Most children between the ages of 2 to 4 need one nap of approximately one to three hours in the afternoon.
5 to 6 Years
Most children between the ages of 5 to 6 do not need a nap every day. If your child seems particularly cranky or exhausted, lay her down for a nap in the afternoon for an hour or less. Even if she doesn't sleep, having a few minutes of quiet time with the lights low and minimal distractions helps your child re-energize her body for the rest of the day.
