How To Sleep Training A Baby For Naps?

  Sometimes, new parents may be curious about the baby’s naps. Why do babies need naps? How long should a newborn be awake? How to sleep training a baby for naps? Today’s article will introduce all information about baby snaps. Please kindly read on for references.

  The sleep of the baby is one of the headaches for parents. The younger the baby is, the more hours of sleep he needs. Therefore, as he grows up, the nap time can be slowly shortened. Then at night, your baby can maintain better and more sufficient sleep. And it is important for the baby's healthy development.

1. Why need to train a baby for naps?

• have benefit for babies’ growth and development

  Some research has found that babies' who like to take more naps or sleep longer will be typically followed by a growth spurt.

  Researchers are constantly studying to know more about the link between sleep and growth. Insufficient sleep will affect growth hormone secretion. The growth hormone is only released during sleep, whenever in the day that sleep occurs. When a baby sleeps, his body can produce human growth hormone, which not only will build muscle but also will stimulate the bone marrow, where immune cells are created. Naps have benefits both for babies’ physical growth and brain development.

• lack of sleep will bring harmful impacts on babies

  Lack of sleep does worse on cognitive and memory tasks. In the long-term, sleep deprivation even can lead to illness. It is necessary to get plenty of sleep for babies. It is a top priority.

• skipping snap will affect memory

  After playing or having fun in the morning, the baby's body is easily fatigued. And his memory will also decline. Developing a good napping habit is beneficial to relieve fatigue, and the memory of your baby will also improve. Remember that the nap time of your baby should not be too long. If the baby sleeps too long, he will easy to do nightmares.

• lack of sleep can weaken the digestive power

  A useful way that can enhance the digestive power of a baby is to take naps. Adequate sleep can relieve your baby's gastrointestinal discomfort and increase his appetite.

• relieve the sadness of babies

  Babies are easy to be influenced by the surrounding environment. And they are also prone to be sad. Sleep and snaps can soothe them.

• improve your baby’s immunity

  Taking a nap can improve your baby’s immunity and help him to fight disease. So if parents want their babies to have a healthy body, they should help their babies to develop a good napping habits.

2. How to train a baby for naps?

• develop a habit

  Some sleep experts have said that with a bit of training, most babies can reset their circadian clocks. It will make babies build healthy sleep and wake habits slowly. No matter sleep late or sleep early, and babies need to know their own biological clock better and improve the efficiency of sleep.

• reduce or eliminate the noise

  Babies’ sleep is prone to be disturbed by noises. It is also one of the most common causes of sleep interruption. Parents need to create a safe and comfortable environment for their babies to sleep in. 

• never go to bed hungry

Going to bed hungry can disrupt sleep. Remember never to let babies go to bed hungry. If a baby is hungry, he will be upset and uncomfortable. They can not have a good nap in this state.

• expend some energy before going to bed

  Usually, people do some aerobic exercise that can make them quicker to fall asleep and sleep more soundly. Also, babies will fall asleep easier when they feel tired. Parents can arrange some activities before going to sleep with their babies, like reading books, playing games, standing, walking, etc.

• sleep with your baby

  Babies always get used to staying with their parents. It makes them feel safe. When parents are not around or when they are not sleeping with babies, babies will be insecure and have trouble sleeping. At this time, I suggest that parents can set a crib next to their bed. Then parents and babies can sleep in the same room. It gives babies enough sense of security.

• organize your baby’s crib comfortably

  Before your baby is lying in the crib and ready to sleep, you should organize his crib. If there are some dangerous, hard objects in the crib, your baby will be at risk. Once babies are awakened by the pains, they will not want to retake a nap.

3. Choose suitable sleep sacks will help babies have a better sleep

  Below will recommend three unique Kaiya Baby sleep sacks for newborn babies under 6 months.

• Front Opening Zip Up Swaddle

  In order to bring more sense of security for newborn babies. This swaddling sleep sack especially has an ergonomic and waist design that can make babies feel safe. Your baby will sleep in an ARMS-UP sleeping position that is safe. On the other hand, this product also has the function of an anti-startle reaction. Babies can make it easier to have a longer, more restful nap or sleep.

  There is enough space in the bottom of the sleep sack. Babies can kick legs more freely. And it also has a fit neckline design that can help keep your baby safe and protect him from suffocation.

  Now there are four different colors of this sleep sack, lilac, cameo pink, whisper green, and shell. Three classic, simple, solid colors and one cute pattern of shells. Parents can choose a preferred color for their babies as they prefer. These three solid colors are gentle and warm that has a soothing effect.

  There is another upgraded version of the above front opening sleep sack: Organic Newborn Sleep Sacks With Mesh Cotton. The main difference between these two swaddling sleep sacks is the organic mesh cotton. The new one has organic mesh cotton that is helpful to let the heat out in summer. Babies can feel cooler and breathable. Because the backs of babies are easy to sweat. This mesh-cotton design can prevent your baby from getting heat rashes.

• Bamboo Quilted Sleeveless Baby Sleep Sack TOG 1.0

  For most babies, the womb is the first place that can make them feel safe. They came to a brand new world after birth. This sleep sack with the swaddling wrap band has a wrap-around closure that can simulate the uterine environment for the baby. Babies will feel safer and go to sleep more securely.  

  The babies’ arms can be wrapped with the swaddling wrap band. On the one hand, it can help keep warm for babies. On the other hand, it also can help protect babies from scratching themselves.

  Kaiya Baby insists on a high standard of fabric selection. For example, this sleep sack is made of bamboo fiber that is highly breathable, stretchy, anti-bacterial, and anti-mite.

4. How long should a baby sleep?

  Most parents want to learn how to make their baby's naps longer. But sleeping too much is also not a good thing. Different aged babies need different sleep duration. You can adjust it to your baby’s situation.

  The sleep needs of every baby are different. So parents don't have to be anxious about it. The most important thing is to help your baby establish the habit of napping on time, which is essential for the baby’s growth and development. Babies can only sleep more restful at night if they are well-rested during the day.

• 0-3 months

  In the newborn stage, babies sleep a lot. Babies should sleep a total of fourteen - eighteen hours per day, with six to nine hours for daytime sleep. At this stage, the naps can be erratic, and it is normal.

• 4-6 months

  Once your baby has grown from the newborn stage, his naps will start to stabilize. At this stage, you can allow your baby to sleep for four to six hours during the day.

• 7-9 months

  Your baby will gradually be awake for a longer time. At the same time, they will develop themselves into two daytime naps. The total time of naps will also decrease to about three to five hours. During this stage, many babies will have three naps or four naps a day.

• 10-14 months

  The older your baby gets, the less time for naps he needs. The napping and sleep time of a toddler should not be too long. Or it will affect the body’s biological clock of your baby. He will not sleep well at night.

A Guide to Baby's Sleep
Age	0-6 Weeks	6 Weeks -3 Months	4 Months -8 Months	9 Months -12 Months	13 Months -24 Months	24 Months -36 Months
Total Sleep Per Day (hours)	15-18	14-15	14-15	14	13-14	12-14
Number Of Naps	varies	3-5	3	2	1-2	1
Total Night Sleep (hours)	8-9	9-10	10	10-12	11	10-11
Total Day Sleep (hours)	7-9	5-6	4-5	2-4	2-3	1-2
Data Sources：Marc Weissbluth, M.D. 《Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child》 Please remember that these are general guidelines. Every baby is different.