Naptime Suggestions

Updated on January 07, 2009
J.H. asks from North Andover, MA
6 answers

Hi, everyone. My baby, now 8 months, went through two major surgeries, the last of which was November 20th. Before his first surgery on September 5, he was sleeping in his crib, but after the surgery, he awoke often and was in a lot of pain, so we moved him into our bed to better care for him. He is now fully recovered and doing well, but it's time to get him back into his own crib and on a schedule. Up until now, he has been napping whenever he seems tired, but hasn't been in any real routine.

Does anyone have a suggestion for when to put him down for naps? I was thinking 9 am and 1 pm, with another short nap around 5 if he needs it, and then a 7 or 7:30 bedtime. He usually wakes up between 5 and 6 for the day.

Am I on track?

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G.T.

answers from Boston on

Hi there. Glad to hear your LO is doing better!!!

I think if he wakes around 5:30am, an 8:30am nap would be better than 9. He might get overtired - especially in the morning. If he sleeps til 10:00am say, then give him another 3-3.5 hrs before his next nap - an awake time a bit longer than before the first nap, so 1:30 would be good. If he sleeps til 3:00, then a 7pm bedtime is perfect. If he takes another nap at 5:00, then push bedtime til 7:30pm.

Hope that helps!

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L.A.

answers from Boston on

Sounds great!
That schedule has worked really well for both of my kids, 5 years and 7 months.
Some days naps are longer than others.
I chalk it up to the weather!
Good luck and good health to you and your little one.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Boston on

Sounds like you're right on target. This is the same schedule my son has been on for the last few months (he's 10 months now). Good luck!

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L.D.

answers from Boston on

have you considered keeping him sleeping in your bed? as far as the nap thing goes, I have not had any luck forcing naps on my baby, she sleeps when she is tired and that works for her. Its great that your husband is a stay-at-home dad, does he need to have your baby down at certain times? it sounds as though your baby has been through a huge ordeal and most importantly needs the tender care of the both of you. Trust in your baby and listen to what he needs. Check out the nighttime parenting book by Dr. Sears and askdrsears.com Good Luck!

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C.P.

answers from Boston on

Hi. I think that the routine napping is the best for him. I have 3 kids of my own and have babysat many. 9 and 2 might work for u. Getting him back into his own bed is tough. You are going to have to put him in bed and let him cry. If he is fed, full and not wet then he can cry and it is alright.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Boston on

Those are perfect times. I have a 10 month old and he follows this routine. (although he doesn't always want to go down for the second nap) A baby between 5 & 12 months should have 2 naps (sometimes 3 if needed), one at 9am and one at 1pm. And it is totally normal for a baby to wake between 6-7am. Bedtime should be anywhere between 6-8pm so you're totally on track. By his first birthday he might lose the morning nap but about 85% of babies his age have 2 naps.

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