Short Napsters

Somewhere in between the newborn bliss of sleep all day and the hustle and bustle of a baby on the go, we may hit a stage of sleep that has a name! The 45 minute nap intruder.  But this is a normal phenomenon and we will cover what to do with it.  And remember, we all have good nap days and bad ones too! 

First things first, we want you to know that it is normal for babies to sleep for 30-45 mins, fuss, toss & turn for 10-15  mins then doze back off for 30 mins  or a bit more.

There are a few things we can do:

• Routine
  • Consistency is key (when realistically possible)! 
    • Follow along with Moms on Call’s ‘Typical Day’ schedules located in the Moms on Call Books and Scheduler App. See *crazy day tips for getting through those days that are harder to keep on track! 
  • Sometimes moving up to the next routine is what is needed. 
    • Check with your personalized consultant to see if moving up is what’s best for baby! 
  • Pre nap routine consists of: 
    • Diaper Change 
    • Snuggle Time 
    • Storytime
• Environment
  • We recommend baby sleep in a crib in their room. The crib should be free of toys, blankets, pillows and any stimulation. 
  • Blinds can be left slightly open for natural light to come in. (but be sure to have any hanging cords cut up high so babies or toddlers cannot reach them)
  • White noise! The right sound machine can make all the difference. White noise is reminiscent of the sounds that babies hear inside the womb. The white noise machine should be turned up loud enough for you to hear on the other side of the door. 
• Under 12 weeks of age, swaddle right, and tight, tight, tight! Watch the Moms on Call Swaddling Video for tips on getting swaddle just right! 
• Over 12 weeks of age we recommend footed pjs. 

Watch this video with Moms on Call Co-Founder, Laura Hunter, as she shares how to help solve short naps.

Moms on Call – Short Naps from Moms On Call on Vimeo.

Here is the reality folks! We cannot “make” our little one’s sleep. Having these few things in place and controlling what we can control (routine and environment), will give them the best chance to get a good nap or two in the day! And the good news is, we typically see some improvements in naps once they are unswaddled and rolling easily between 5-6 months of age. You’ve got this!!

Moms on Call has helped thousands of families (and counting) get the much-needed sleep they deserve! Follow along with our method to great sleep by 12 weeks of age (and beyond) ! For more tips from Moms on Call, check out our free resources and our Knowledge Center for all things baby through toddler!