How long should I let LO nap?

haylo33

LO is currently napping in his crib for the first time. He has been sleeping 2 hours and 15 minutes. He slept 8 straight hours last night in his RNP. This is the first time he has STTN. I think he slept so long last night because yesterday we were out and about and he just took cat naps. Nothing substantial and he was in a terrible mood because of it. My question is... Do you just let them nap until they wake up on their own? Do you limit it so he will sleep tonight? I'm really hoping this is the start of a schedule where he has 1 big afternoon nap and is awake the test of the day. I guess I should mention DS is 9 weeks.

usernewname

I sit on fence "don't wake a sleeping child" ... they will wake on their own. There is probably a reason why he needs so much sleep!

Tifers777

I only let DS nap longest 3 hours between feedings. His longest nap I think was about that long but very rarely does that happen. Not to mention it could be a growth spurt also if he's taking long naps.

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letal316

I used to only wake DD when she was napping too close to bedtime.

Jelainey24

I read somewhere to not let them sleep longer than 4 hours during the day because it can mess with their nighttime sleep.

lavendergiraffes

Usually she doesn't sleep longer than 2-2.5 hours but there are a few times she did and my boob started leaking. She got woken up those times.

haylo33

Thanks! He woke up shortly after I posted the question. We went to my in laws for dinner and I thought he would be all happy and awake for it. He was happy for the most part but still fell asleep twice for 30 minute cat naps. Hope he sleeps tonight!

pistolpackinmomma

Sleep begets sleep. Never wake a sleeping baby (unless under pedi orders of course) and just enjoy the calm before the storm! Lol!

Allibob

I never wake a sleeping baby unless I absolutely have to (for a doctor appt, etc). Just FYI, most kids won't have one nap & be up the rest of the day until around 12-15 mo. They usually transition from 3 naps to 2 around 9 months, I believe. I recommend checking out Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child to learn more about what babies typical schedules are by age.

spacepotatoes

Jelainey24 said:

I read somewhere to not let them sleep longer than 4 hours during the day because it can mess with their nighttime sleep.

This, and it helps them get more calories in during the day so they're less likely to need to make up for it at night. I wake between 3-4 hrs.

KBowen715

I would not recommend pushing to one nap a day. You'll end up with an overly tired, fussy baby. Generally, two short naps (1 hour) and one long nap (2-3 hours) start becoming part of their schedule around 3 months.

haylo33

Thanks! I didn't really mean just one nap. I worded it wrong. I meant 1 big nap and just cat naps otherwise. This kid can't ride in the car without falling asleep lol

MissLadyTay

The better my three month old sleeps during the day, the better he sleeps at night. So I don't ever wake him if I can help it. Sometimes I have to because the toddler has an activity or something.