Naptime is sacred to new parents. When else are we supposed to eat/shower/make phone calls? That said, preserving the sanctity of naptime is serious business. But like all routines pertaining to babies, it is a variable that is constantly subject to change, and we have to do our best to go with the flow.

How long should your baby nap? Here are some averages as stated by experts:

Newborn --  3 months

As long as they need to

4 -- 12 months

Two naps a day - one in the morning, one in the afternoon - averaging in length from a half hour to three hours.

1 -- 2 years

One two-hour nap in the middle of the day

The Four C’s for Z’s

There’s no hard science to establishing and maintaining your child’s sleep patterns, but the Four C’s for Z’s can help you help your baby get a good day’s sleep.

Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to establishing sleep patterns. Try to put your child down for a nap at the same time(s) every day, and follow the same pre-nap routine each time (i.e., a bottle, a brief story, snuggle time, etc.).

Cues

Even if they are too young for words, babies have a way of letting us know when it’s time for some shut-eye. Yawning, rubbing their eyes and zoning out are sure fire signs your little guy or gal is ready to take a snooze. Putting the baby down too early or too late can actually exacerbate wakefulness and contribute to an abbreviated naptime.

Catering

Just like us grownups, each baby is unique and has an intrinsic sleep schedule. Does your baby rub their eyes or start yawning at 10 each morning? Or is it more like 11? By keeping an eye out for reoccurring times of drowsiness and tuning into your baby’s natural body rhythms, you can establish a more successful nap schedule.

Cool comfort

Do your best to provide your baby with a restful, peaceful environment to nap in. The best case scenario is to put them down in the same place they sleep every night. Keep the room cool, dark and quiet. Play soft, mellow music. It may seem Pavlovian, but by doing that consistently, your baby will eventually get the idea that bed + dark room = time to sleep.