Somewhere in between the newborn bliss of sleeping 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 Short Nap Intruder”. Rest assured, this is a normal phenomenon, and we will cover what to do about 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 minutes, fuss, toss & turn for 10-15 minutes, then doze back off for 30 minutes or a bit more. Let’s talk about how to handle short naps. There are a few things we can do for short naps: Routine Consistency is key (when realistically possible)! Follow along with Moms on Call’s Typical Day schedules located in the Moms on Call Books. See *Crazy Day Tips for getting through those harder days while keeping on track!  Sometimes, moving up to the following routine is what is needed. Check with your Moms on Call Consultant to see if moving up is best for your baby!  Lastly, the pre-nap routine consists of the following: Diaper Change  Snuggle Time  Storytime Environment We recommend that babies 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. (Also, put 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, tight, tight, tight! Watch the Moms on Call Swaddling Video for tips on getting swaddled right!  Over 12 weeks of age, we recommend footed pajamas. Here is the reality, parents! 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! Finally, 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!  

One of the most common questions Moms on Call receives is in regards to naps! Short naps to be exact. If you are experiencing short naps, your questions likely look like the ones below. I am having such a hard time with 30-45 minute naps. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Why does my baby wake up right at 30 minutes during a nap? My baby is only napping about 60 minutes, should I move naps up? At Moms on Call we want to meet families where they are and, in doing so, we have created resources to answer questions just like these! In the below video, Laura shares how to help solve short naps. For parents that need a quick drill-down of what that looks like, keep reading. How do I “make” my littles one sleep through nap? We can’t! However we can be sure we have few things in place (see below), controlling what we can control, to 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 un-swaddled and rolling easily (between 5-6 months of age). What can I implement to ensure my success? 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!  We’ve often found 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!  Environment We recommend that babies 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.  Is it normal for my little one to wake 30 mins into nap? Yes! The 30-45 minute nap intruder is part of a normal nap sleep cycle, where we see 10-15 minutes of wake time, and then baby gets back to sleep. We recommend implementing 10 minute soothing rounds. So up until 14 weeks of age (when we additionally drop the swaddle at nap), we give baby a chance to get back to sleep on their own, practice the pause, go in quick, double check the swaddle, be sure you are using the correct sound machine and work your way up to your comfort level of staying out, up until 15-25 minutes before the end of nap. Here’s what a soothing round looks like: Start at 10 minutes (or less, depending on your comfort level) Go in, turn sound machine off to reset sleep cycle Un-swaddle (if swaddled, babies 3 months and younger) Change diaper, if needed Soothe, give a little pat and rub on the belly Turn sound machine back on (loud enough to hear on the other side of door) Get out! Then give baby the time to figure it out and restart Each day add a few minutes and before you know it, baby will be back on track! Once we have accomplished dropping the swaddle in the middle of the night, we use those same techniques to do the same at nap around 14 weeks of age. How do I know if I need additional support? This can take time, and there are days it is harder than others. If we have reached the point of desperation, where the bad nap days are more than the good nap days, then we highly recommend working with a consultant to get you the help you need. Watch this quick 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. You are strong, you are confident, baby is safe, loved and can get through 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!  

Now that you’ve chosen the ideal daycare (check out our recent post “How to Choose a Daycare”) for your family, let’s talk!! Often daycares will have their own routine they follow in order to keep it running. So, how do Moms on Call’s Schedules fit into this? And what tips do we have to ease this transition? It’s normal for your little one to have some separation awareness. This is one of many developmental stages that can be labeled negatively, but is completely normal! The best thing we can do to ease transition from parent to caregiver is keep what we can consistent. Moms on Call’s Top 5 Tips for Starting Daycare Stop, Drop and Roll outta there! Don’t linger too long. We want the transition from parent to caregiver to happen quickly! Get in, drop off, say goodbye and get out! Read more on separation awareness and tips for a brief goodbye here. Sound Machine Most daycares will accept a sound machine, if they don’t already have one, for nap time. This is a sleep indicator we can mimic at daycare that is also at home! It lets little one know it’s time to sleep! Schedule Provide the teacher with your little one’s schedule. You can print/email your current Moms on Call schedule directly from the Scheduler App. Crazy Day Tips Have daycare follow the *C* times in your schedule when necessary. Moms on Call is one of the only schedules that contain crazy day tips. There are two sets of guidelines: 1) Sticking exactly to the times (which you can follow at home) 2) Having flexible windows on each side of the times and following the “Crazy Day Tips” (most daycares) Up until 12-15 months of age, little one will have two naps. Ideally, we’d like if they can hit two naps a day that are no longer than two hours each. See if daycare can do the supper feeding on the schedule before you get there so you are not rushing around when you get home! If you arrive at the supper feeding, you can feed then get on the road! Pick up the routine! In the evenings and on the weekends, pick up the routine! They will learn the difference between home and daycare. Stay consistent, and confident and baby will follow!! You’ve got this! Looking for more? Join us and listen to The Moms on Call Podcast! In Episode 12, Daycare Do’s, we talk all things daycare! Including 6 questions to help narrow down your top daycare choices.

Preparing for your little one to go to daycare can be overwhelming. In this post, we’re sharing what questions to ask regarding day-to-day routine and what to do if your daycare is unable to follow your current schedule. After your little one has arrived and you are heading back to work, there are many things to consider and prepare for. One of those is deciding on daycare. We’ve covered “How to Choose a Daycare” and “Tips for Starting Daycare” in the past and are excited to expand on how to talk about routines when interviewing and finding a daycare.  In our blog post “How to Choose a Daycare,” we recommend asking these 6 questions:    See the full post for more detail and any additional questions to ask. Are they state certified? What are their medical policies? What is their teacher turnover rate?  What are the school and classroom schedules? What is the transportation policy? How will you receive updates about your child?  In addition to the above, we also recommend asking these questions related to routines and schedules: What is their routine and policy on feedings and naps?  Are they willing to follow your current routine? Bring a printable version (found in the MOC Scheduler App) of your most current routine for them to have on file and review in person. Will they allow you to bring a portable sound machine? We recommend the LectroFan Alpha Travel Sound Machine. We’ve found some daycares will be able to follow pretty closely to your routine as outlined, with minimal changes. Here’s what to do if your daycare is unable to follow the routine: Ask if they are willing to ensure that the late afternoon feeding is done each day. Then, pick up the routine in the evenings and on the weekends. Little ones learn the difference between home and daycare within about 2 weeks.  It is OKAY if they doze “off-schedule” on the way home.  Be sure to keep a few key things in place: Family Dinner Bathtime Tender Time  Bedtime feed If you find that your little one is not napping well at daycare, consider adjusting the bedtime routine about 15-30 mins earlier.  If you have to leave earlier in the morning and need a more personalized routine, we recommend getting connected with a Certified Moms on Call Premier Consultant to support you and help navigate this transition. Remember, your daycare provider is on your team! Talk to them about what options are available and work together!

Some parents may see moving up in schedules as an obstacle. We are here to help with the adjustment and get you through it in a breeze. One of our most frequently asked questions pertains to the 8-16 week schedule and moving up, as this is a big sleep leap for the baby. If you follow the Moms on Call 4-8 week schedule, the baby can move up between 6-8 weeks of age if healthy and gaining weight!  If you are starting to follow Moms on Call’s typical day schedules and techniques, jump right into the 8-16 weeks schedule between 6-8 weeks of age (if healthy and gaining weight). Begin with Moms on Call Basics to get the details just right! Now let’s go over what signs to look for and three simple steps to moving up!  Baby is healthy and gaining weight! Middle of the night wakeup is later than usual (closer to 4 am). Nap time begins to shorten, and the baby has more alert/awake time during the day. Moving up means getting the baby to bed earlier. At Moms on Call, we’ve found that sleep does not “shift” — it expands. So, by getting the baby to bed earlier, they will actually sleep longer! Yay for big sleeping milestones! Follow along with our three simple steps to moving up, and your little one (and you) will be sleeping and dreaming longer before you know it!  Check and perfect our miracle sleep trick! Watch the swaddle video here to get the swaddle just right and tight, tight, tight! Follow along in the book and online courses for help getting your baby closer to that 4 am middle of the night feeding. Allow baby 4- 6 minutes (this can be extended based on what is best for your family/sanity!) of fussing before you begin the soothing rounds. Stay confident, and the baby will follow! Keep in mind adjustments typically take 3-5 days.  Transitioning Early? When: If able to stay up about 45-60 minutes from the start of the feeding until nap. If your little one is fussy in the evening or you have difficulty getting them up from the late evening catnap. Nighttime sleep stretches decrease in duration. Suits your household best. Here are a few tips to help with this “Transitional Routine.” They may not be able to stay up the whole time. Starting the nap 15-30 minutes earlier than listed is okay. They may doze for short periods during “Awake” time. You may find you are using your “Grace Periods” more often than not. Example: 7 am Feed 8 am Start the pre-nap routine 8:15 am Down for nap 9:45/10 am Feed Routines are meant to serve your household with predictability and flexibility. Jump right in; you’ve got this! And remember, our confidence is contagious.  For more Moms on Call tips on getting your days and nights just right, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated with our content! Visit momsoncall.com to check out all the resources we have to offer. 

As a new parent, it can be challenging to know when and how to transition your baby to a new feeding routine. You may be wondering if it’s possible to move to the 4-6 month routine without starting solids, and the answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. How to transition to the 4-6 month routine without starting solids First, it’s essential to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and their ability to stay up for about 2 hours from the start of a feed until naptime. If your baby is not showing signs of hunger at the 3-hour mark and is able to handle about 2 hours of awake time, then it may be time to transition to the 4-6 month routine. This routine means increasing the time between feedings from 3 hours to 4 hours and increasing their awake time.  As you transition to the 4-6 month routine, you may need to offer a “snack feed” at the listed “solid” feeding times. This helps your baby gradually adjust to the new routine. Remember to use your 15-minute grace period on either side of the times listed during this transition. Signs to look for when transitioning to the 4-6 month routine It’s important to note that there is no set timeline for introducing solids. Instead, look for signs that your baby is ready, such as: Good head control Sitting with minimal support Showing interest in what you’re eating. These typically occur around the 4-6 month mark. If you find that your little one is in-between routines, it may be helpful to get connected with one of our Premier Moms On Call Consultants. These consultants can provide personalized guidance and support to help you navigate the in-between phases and ensure your baby’s feeding routine is appropriate for their age and developmental stage. In summary, transitioning to the 4-6 month feeding routine without introducing solids is possible! Remember to look for signs that your baby is ready for solids and seek help from a professional if needed. With the right support, you can ensure your baby is getting the nutrition they need while establishing a healthy feeding routine that works for the whole family. Finally, when you do decide that you are ready to introduce solids, be sure to download our Baby Food Introduction Calendar. It will remove the guesswork and walk you through solid food introduction day-by-day.

When we’re out and about with baby, what’s Moms on Call’s general rule of thumb for hitting our nap and staying on schedule? We’ve got you covered! So, what to do when you return from running errands and it’s close to nap time (or nap time has already begun)? If you get home and there is more than half the nap left, then put baby down for their nap (feel free to take one yourself too)! If there is less then half the nap left, hang out, snuggle and get as close to the next feed time as possible! You’ve Got This!! Answers to your questions about naps on the go What happens if they are SO tired and can’t “make it” to nap time? They can doze on and off if needed, just don’t let them get too cozy for too long. Usually we can move them. Distraction is key! (Try and move every 10-20 minutes if they doze.) What if they fall asleep in the car? Do you still want them to sleep more? Yes! If more than half the nap left, follow nap per MOC routine. If less than half the nap is left, we can push to next feed time. Can they nap in their stroller or carrier if nap happens while we are out? Yes! Take a look at our blog, “How to Simplify Running Errands with a Baby” for more tips! My 8 week old is so tired after her feeds, she can’t make it the full hour and a half until nap. Can I put her down for nap sooner? Remember, they can doze before nap, we just don’t let them get too cozy for too long! Check that 15 minute grace period on either side of the schedule for getting to nap a few minutes sooner. How long are naps for a 5 month old baby? At this age, we get one 1-1.5 hour nap in the morning and then a nap of about 1.5-2 hours in the afternoon. Keep in mind, normal nap sleep cycles are 30-45 minutes. They will then toss and turn for 20 minutes before dozing again. At this age, we can stay out at nap time, and let little one find that comfy spot and get back to sleep on their own! In the Moms on Call Books, Online Courses, and Scheduler App 2.0 you can find our typical day schedules for two weeks to four years! Looking for More? Here is a list of blogs where we discuss naps! Short Naps | Questions & Answers Short Napsters Moms on Call’s Schedule Flexibility with a Newborn How to Simplify Running Errands with a Baby