Set nap times or awake times?

Naps can often be more difficult to figure out for parents than night sleep, and there are plenty of factors that will influence if your baby will nap easily and well or not. Prior to becoming a sleep consultant, naps were always my nemesis whereas night sleep just seemed simpler.  

I’m frequently asked if parents should stick to set nap times or go more by awake times for their babe.  The answer to this one is…. It depends!!

Frustrating, I know! But here are a few things which can help you figure out which suits you, and the needs of your family.

• The age of your baby will play a huge role. Babies under 6 months old are generally more suited to awake times and tired cues (using both together) than a rigid nap schedule. In those first 6 months, the length of time your baby can tolerate awake changes dramatically so sticking to rigid nap schedules can be difficult, especially if you have a few days which are thrown off course for various reasons.

• The temperament of your baby should be considered. Some babies absolutely thrive on structure, routine, and things being absolutely predictable. Others, are far more flexible and adapt to change easily and well. Have a think about how your baby responds to different environments, different people, and different activities - it might help you decide if a structured or flexible approach is better suited to your baby.

• Your preferences as a family. Do you like routine and structure yourself, or are you more of a ‘go with the flow’ type personality? Do you have other children and competing priorities for your time? There is a fine balance between placing the temperament and needs of the baby first and juggling the needs of your entire household

Does it absolutely have to be one or the other? Absolutely not. I don’t believe in ‘one size fits all’ approaches to sleep. If doing a mix works for you and your family, go for it!