7 Magical tips on how to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes

Getting your baby to long nap might seem like an impossible task. This article will shed some light on how to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes, how much do babies sleep, when do babies sleep through the night and baby sleep cycles.

They’re so energetic that even naptime seems too boring for them. If you have a new infant, you might wonder if it’s just the beginning of years filled with fussy babies and sleepless nights. But your little one will get better at napping as they grow up. By six months old, most babies should be able to sleep for at least two hours in a row during the day. And by age one, your child should be getting roughly 11 hours of sleep per day.

If you feel like your baby isn’t taking longer naps very well, don’t panic yet. It might just be a phase they are going through right now. We understand how frustrating this must be for you as their parent but don’t forget that they will grow out of it soon enough! Here are some ways to make the process easier.

How much do babies sleep

If you ever wondered how much do babies sleep? It can be hard to know how much do babies sleep. Babies change a lot during the first few months of life and baby sleep cycles are also different. Usually, babies sleep for about 14 to 16 hours per day during the first few months of life. If a baby sleeps for less than 12 hours, he may be too tired or not getting enough rest. If a baby sleeps for more than 18 hours, he may not be getting enough rest.

To find out how much sleep your baby needs, watch him carefully when he is awake. If he seems drowsy or is taking longer than usual to fall asleep, he probably needs more rest. Make sure that your baby is getting enough rest by avoiding any distractions (like TV), nursing him frequently and keeping his room dark and quiet so that he can fall asleep easily.

When do babies sleep through the night

Most parents wonder when do babies sleep through the night? Babies will start to sleep through the night by the time they are 4 months old. As long as your baby is breastfed exclusively for at least 6 weeks, and you maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, there is no reason why your baby cannot go from being a night owl to a morning bird.

In order to avoid any unnecessary stress in your life, it is best to make sure that your baby has at least 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Keep a consistent routine and encourage your baby to take naps during the day. By starting early, you will have much less trouble catching up with the rest of the world!

Baby sleep cycles

The amount of sleep your baby needs will vary, depending on baby’s age and stage of development of your baby. The average newborn needs 14 to17 hours of sleep each day. Newborns should be sleeping in a safe place, such as a crib or bassinet, and they should be on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). You should also try to avoid putting your baby to bed too early, as this can lead to chronic sleep issues later on.

There are three basic types of baby sleep cycles –

• REM sleep (rapid eye movement) sleep
• NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, and
• SWS (slow wave sleep).

You may notice some variation in how long each type takes place for a given individual but generally there are about 90 minutes of REM/NREM/SWS for every 4 hours spent in one state or another. If a newborn is not getting enough deep sleep at night, he may exhibit signs such as crying or poor feeding during the day.

How to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes

In the first newborn stage, good naps are likely to be hit or miss. Some days they’ll only last 10 minutes, while other days they might not nap at all. Even once your child reaches 3-months-old and their sleep patterns become more predictable, naps can still be finicky. Finding the right way to get baby to nap for how to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes can seem like a constant struggle but with little bit of patience and persistence you can make it happen. Here are some helpful tips on how to get baby to nap for longer than 30 minutes.

Make nap time a habit

If your baby is still in the infant age (they aren’t able to walk yet or feed themselves), restful naps is very important. You might have heard that babies should sleep 12 hours a day when they are this young, so it should be easy to get them on a nap schedule. But if your baby is getting older and they still don’t nap well, it might be because they aren’t used to it yet.

If your baby is used to sleeping all day and then staying up late, it’ll be hard for them to start napping. It’s like going to the gym after not exercising for months, it’ll take a while to get back into the swing of things. So try to make naptime routine, even if your baby is super young. To be able to get enough sleep it is important to make sleep schedule and prepare for early bedtime. Remember new sleep cycle for your baby will take time to sink in, so be patient.

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Play lulling music

If you have a real infant who isn’t able to be put down for naps yet, it might be really difficult to get them to sleep for long periods. If your baby is younger than about 6 months old, you might have to hold them for naps. This might be a very frustrating experience for you, especially if your baby is an energetic little one who can’t be held for long periods. You might have to change positions constantly or even switch arms if you gets tired, which can be a real pain.

If you have an infant who will not stay in one place for nap time, it might help to play music. If you want to use music to help your infant nap, make sure it’s something that isn’t too loud or stimulating. Try to find music that has a slow tempo and doesn’t have words. It can be helpful to play songs that have a slow and steady beat since this can help lull your baby to sleep.

Dim the lights

The best tip on how to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes is to create an environment for your little one. If your infant is old enough to be put down for a nap, it might be helpful to dim the lights. This will create a relaxing environment where your baby can go to sleep more easily. If your baby is used to sleeping in very bright lights, it can be a bit shocking for them to be in a dark room for the first time. It can help to slowly dim the lights over an hour or two so that your baby gets used to it.

Even if you have to hold your baby for nap time, you can try dimming the lights if you want. It can help a baby fall asleep easier and faster, so it can be helpful even if you have to hold your baby. It might also be helpful to turn on a white noise machine if your baby is used to sleeping in a very quiet room. Sometime installing blackout curtains does help new parents. Creating a consistent sleep environment helps create sleep routine.

Try gentle touching and stroking

If your baby is old enough to be put down for a nap and is used to sleeping in the dark, try stroking or softly touching their back and head. This can help them relax and fall asleep more easily. Some parents find that it works best to start stroking their baby 15 minutes before nap time.

If your baby has trouble sleeping with your hand on their back, try moving your hand up and down their back, or try gently swiping your fingers down their head/scalp. Avoid touching their face, arms, and legs, these areas are easy to startle and could interrupt their nap. Gentle stroking did work for me when I am child especially when during my afternoon nap.

Bring scents that trigger associations

Sometimes, babies just can’t fall asleep for shorter naps, especially if they are younger babies and can’t yet be put down for a nap. If your baby is having hard time sleeping, you might have to try some nap training that trigger sleep associations. For example, your baby might be used to sleeping with a certain blanket. Try bringing that blanket with you to wherever you are taking your baby for a nap. You can also try using some aromatherapy scents to help your baby fall asleep. Having sleep props is a great idea to create a good bedtime routine.

Rotate napping spots

If your baby is old enough to be put down for a nap and you’ve tried all of the suggestions above and they still aren’t falling asleep easily, it could be because they are used to sleeping in your arms. Try to rotate nap spots every day. If you have to hold your baby for nap time, try rotating where you sit. For older babies you can try rotating nap spots. For example, you can try putting your baby down for a nap in different rooms every day.

Don’t hesitate to introduce a ritual or routine

If all of these suggestions are failing and your baby just won’t nap, it might be because they are too young to nap or they are too used to being held. If your baby is very young, they might not be able to be put down for a nap yet. If your baby is old enough to be put down for a nap but they just won’t do it, it might be because they are used to being held.

Try to introduce a nap routine. Have your baby lie down in a dark room, with you nearby but not holding them. If you don’t want to lie down with your infant, you can try rocking a chair or even sitting in a recliner.

Conclusion

Getting your baby to nap can seem impossible if they just won’t stay asleep. While it’s tempting to let them cry themselves to sleep, your baby should have a consistent nap schedule. You can try the tips shared above on how to get your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes to help get your baby to nap. Once your baby has gotten used to napping, it will be easier for both of you. Still, don’t get discouraged if nap time is difficult right now. Your baby will grow out of this stage in a few months, and you’ll be able to get more done with a rested baby.

Every baby needs their own sleep space, so try to create one for them. The best way is to try to create ideal sleep environment so that your little guy can enjoy good sleep during the the first year of life. If your child is old enough and have trouble sleeping then it is probably best to talk to a sleep consultant.