Easy Ways to Put Infants Down for Naps

Do: Spot Sleepiness

Do: Spot Sleepiness

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If your little one yawns, you may know it's nap time. But there are other clues: Rubbing eyes, crying, and fussiness can be signs of sleepiness in babies. Babies who are overtired have more trouble settling down for sleep, so watch for these cues. Older babies may also act clumsy, clingy, and hyperactive.

Don't: Leave Your Baby Asleep in Car Seat

Don't: Leave Your Baby Asleep in Car Seat

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What if your baby falls asleep in their car seat? A short nap is OK, but don't let them sleep there overnight. For the safest way to sleep, place them on their back on the firm mattress of a crib. This can reduce the risk of SIDS.

Do: Know Babies Sleep a Lot

Do: Know Babies Sleep a Lot

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It may not seem like it at first! But your newborn may sleep about 16 hours a day, waking for feedings and changing. As babies get older they need less sleep during the day and more at night. By 6 months some babies should be able to sleep through the night plus take two to three naps. But don't worry if they don't: each baby is different.

Don't: Rely on Naps To-Go

Don't: Rely on Naps To-Go

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It may be tempting to squeeze napping into carpooling and errand time, and it's OK once in a while. But constantly napping on the go may not get your child the rest they need. If they always seem tired and irritable and your schedule is packed, consider cutting back or rearrange your schedule. Or you can use a sitter or ask a friend to help out so baby has regular, thorough naps.

Do: Feed, Take a Break, Then Nap

Do: Feed, Take a Break, Then Nap

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It's natural for babies to fall asleep after a feeding. And nursing or bottle-feeding newborns to sleep is a great way to feel close to your baby. Over time, though, it can become the only way they can fall asleep. Babies should learn to fall asleep on their own. Try to separate nursing from naps even by just a few minutes. Read a story or change baby's diaper in between.

Do: Stretch Out Naps

Do: Stretch Out Naps

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Is your baby older than 6 months and still taking lots of 20-minute naps throughout the day? Encourage them to take longer naps. Try keeping your baby up. And stretch the time between baby's naps, making it longer bit by bit. You may be rewarded with longer naps -- ideally, one to two hours each -- and sounder nighttime sleep.

Do: Set a Routine

Do: Set a Routine

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Set a good nap routine and stick to it, when possible. Help your little one sleep better by:

  • Having the same nap times each day.
  • Avoiding late afternoon naps. If your baby has trouble falling asleep at night, make nap time earlier or wake them from their nap well before bedtime.
  • Using the crib at night and nap time, so they think "sleep" when they are in there.
Don't: Rush In

Don't: Rush In

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Sneezing, hiccups, whimpers, sighs, and even squeaks are common baby sleep noises. You probably don't need to rush in. Even fussing and crying may just mean that baby is settling down. Wait a bit before checking on them -- unless, of course, you think they are unsafe, uncomfortable, or hungry.

Do: Put Baby Down When Awake

Do: Put Baby Down When Awake

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After a few weeks, your baby doesn't have to be sound asleep when you lay their down. Sleepy is good enough. You'll be teaching your little one how to fall asleep on their own and not need to be held, rocked, or fed. This also can help their learn to fall back to sleep on their own if they wake during the night.

Do: Think Safety

Do: Think Safety

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If your baby falls asleep on the couch, your bed, a waterbed, or the floor, move them. Those places aren't safe for them to sleep. Always put your baby down to sleep on their back to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Remove blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers, and other soft things from baby's crib or bassinet. Don't put babies down to nap with other children or pets.

Show Sources

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1) Liane Cary/Age Fotostock
2) Creatas Creatas
3) Zehtinska Nadejda
4) Jekaterina Nikitina / Flickr Collection / Getty
5) Creatas Creatas
6) Sarah Small/The Image Bank
7) Pascal Broze/Onoky/Javier Larrea/AgeFotostock
8) Design Pics/Pete Stec
9) RUTH JENKINSON/SPL
10) Ruslan Dashinsky

SOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics: "A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep."
Ask Dr. Sears: "Sleep Problems," "Sleep Safety."
Better Health (Victorian Government of Australia): "Sleep: Children and Naps."
Children's Hospital Boston, Pediatric Views: "Dr. Ferber Updates his Landmark Sleep Book."
Dr. Spock: "Sleep: Why and How Much?"
KidsHealth: "Breastfeeding FAQs: Sleep -- Yours and Your Baby's," "Looking at Your Newborn: What's Normal," "Naps."
Parenting Science: "Baby Sleep Deprivation: How to Tell if Your Baby is Overtired or Underslept."
Tobin, C. The Lull-a-Baby Sleep Plan: The Soothing, Superfast Way to Help Your New Baby Sleep Through the Night . . . And Prevent Sleep Problems Before They Develop, Rodale, 2006.
Tomorrow's Child: "Safe Sleep Brochure."
USDA: "Feeding Infants-Body."

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Source: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/ss/slideshow-naps

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