When/how to Start Scheduling Naps for Newborns

Hi J.. I am also a first-time mom and I have a 9-week old. She often sleeps through the night, so isn't a great daytime napper, but she falls into a routine depending on her feeding schedule.

I would second the recommendation for On Becoming Baby Wise, because it helps you understand the relationship between how often they eat and when they should sleep. Basically, the idea is to keep them awake for a time--like 45 mins to an hour at least--after they eat and then try to get them to sleep until the next feeding. That way, they wake up hungry and go to sleep happy and tired and you don't have to fight the play-time urge when you put them down for a nap.

It really does help to have a loose schedule, although with my recent transition to day-care, we aren't really on one right now. ;) You just have to be flexible in your expectations, I think.

Best of luck!

I used the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. It was very helpful with sleep habits and explaing when they are ready for different stages. He says the morning nap develops first, around 9 am, and then the afternoon nap develops later, somewhere between 12 & 2pm. Some babies then take a late afternoon nap. My sister-in-law liked the book On Becoming Baby Wise to develop a schedule. Our daughter wasn't such a great sleeper so that one didn't work for us, but I know many moms that have found that helpful to develop a routine. Good luck!

I have a 20 month old and a 4 month old. Both have slept in their crib since I brought them home, I didn't do the bassinet. My 4 month old still takes small naps here and there in the family room in a playpen. I didn't start my 20 month old on a routine until he was about 6 months old. Then he went to his crib for naps. I think every child is different and will let you know when they are ready and not ready for certain changes. You can try to put him in the crib and if he's not ready he will let you know. He will fianlly get use to it. My 4 month old is still not ready for a routine, he likes small 45 minute naps probably 4-5 times a day---he's not ready for only long naps, he just won't do it and I don't push it. Don't stress about it, the routine will come when he's ready.

You and your baby will be so much happier if you follow his lead and relax about it. You will hear LOTS of things but it takes a while to learn what to listen to and what truly works for you , your child, your family. I have four with another on the way - I run an inhome daycare and routine is good - schedule would make me crazy! There's a BIG difference. Enjoy your baby and your flexibility.

I got my kids on a nap routine, but based in on their own needs. If he start falling asleep roughly at the same time for a few days, that's when I started scheduling the nap. He wasn't always ready at that point, but was near ready. And soon, he would be ready then. Once they get into a routine, the become sleepy at nap time. My son had a friend, 3 days older, whose parents did not believe in any type of routine, but completely followed the kid's lead. That meant that sometimes a nap would be a 8 at night...meaning they'd have to say up late because he wouldn't be ready for bed until midnight. When he came to spend a day here, I put him down for a nap along with my own son. He protested (he was 2) but fell asleep within minutes.

You shouldn't force a routine, but if you use your kids' needs as a guide, your whole family life will run smoother. We may have made a lot of mistakes raising our kids, but naps and meals were always regular and that helped a lot!