Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- What is a nap transition?
- When do babies make the 4 to 3 nap transition?
- Signs your baby is ready to drop to 3 naps
- Managing the 4 to 3 nap transition
What is a nap transition?
First things first: What is a nap transition? It’s when your little one’s nap schedule changes because they can stay up for longer periods at a time. They simply don’t need as many naps during the day anymore.
When do babies make the 4 to 3 nap transition?
As a newborn, your baby will probably start with a four-nap schedule, where they’re sleeping frequently but for short amounts of time.
Then, at about four to six months, your little one will begin to seem more awake and alert at times when they used to nod off. This means it may be time for the 4 to 3 nap transition.
For a three-nap-a-day schedule, your little one will sleep for longer than an hour and stay up for about two to three hours between naps.
Signs your baby is ready to drop to 3 naps
There are several signs that indicate readiness to drop a nap. Let’s take a look.
Having trouble nodding off at nap time
Is your baby having such a good time with their awake hours that they struggle winding down for a nap? If it takes them over 20 minutes to get to sleep, they may be ready for one less nap and a longer awake time.
Waking up extra early in the morning
If your little one is waking earlier than the worm-getting bird, you may want to downsize their nap schedule so that they sleep in until a civilized hour.
Waking up soon after bedtime
Likewise, if it seems like your baby was just put to bed and they’re up again, they may be getting too much sleep during the day. An adjustment to your baby’s daytime naps will help make their nighttime sleep more consistent.
Going to bed late to accommodate a fourth nap
Have you noticed that you’re struggling to get that fourth nap in and are pushing baby’s bedtime to accommodate it? If so, it’s a sign that that fourth nap is no longer needed.
Refusing to nap
Of course, if your little one says “no” to their nap during the day, they might not need it. Drop a nap and see if this is a more comfortable schedule for them.
Managing the 4 to 3 nap transition
If your baby is making the 4 to 3 nap transition, there are things you can do to make it easier for both of you.
1) Increase your baby’s wake windows.
To drop that fourth nap, increase your little one’s wake windows gradually. Start by stretching out the first wake window by 10 minutes, then, the next day, try increasing it by 15 minutes. Slowly do the same on a second wake window.
2) Let your little one nap for longer.
Getting your baby to nap for longer stretches is key when dropping a nap. If they just nap for quick 30-minute bursts, they may be overtired later on.
3) Maintain baby’s sleep routine.
Sleep routines are especially important during times of change. As you’re moving from 4 to 3 naps a day, you’ll want to keep baby’s sleep routine as consistent as possible. Doing the same things before nap time will help them recognize it’s time to sleep.
4) Stay the course and don’t worry.
If your little one is struggling with the transition from four naps to three, don’t worry. It can take several weeks, and not every nap will be made equal. Make small adjustments until they’re in a groove.
For instance, you can try moving their bath earlier, or their normal pre-nap feeding to afterward their snooze. You can even push up your baby’s bedtime to help them adjust.
Tips for a restful nap
When it’s time to put your baby down for a nap, there are a few things you want to do to ensure your little one sleeps as well as possible.
Put baby down to sleep on a firm, breathable mattress.
As a matter of safety, babies should always be put to sleep on their backs on a firm, breathable mattress.
The Newton Original Mattress, for example, is not only firm and breathable but is also 100% washable from cover to core. With no foam, glue, latex, or springs, your little one will enjoy a cleaner, hypoallergenic sleep.
Add a Waterproof Crib Mattress Pad to manage any nighttime oopsies, as well as a 2-pack of our Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets.
Prepare the room for optimal sleep.
For the best sleep, your little one’s nursery should be dark, quiet, and cool. Pull down the shades — and if it’s still too light for daytime naps, consider blackout curtains. Make sure the whole household quiets down when baby is sleeping.
Of course, you won’t be able to control outside noise, so you may want to turn on a white noise machine. As for the temperature, set the thermostat to 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Follow a sleep routine.
As we said earlier, keeping up your baby’s sleep routine is key to getting them to nod off on time. As you practice the same sequence of steps every day, your baby starts to recognize it’s nap time and will help them relax and fall asleep more quickly.
You might want to:
- Feed your baby
- Check their diaper
- Dim the lights or pull the shades
-
Swaddle your baby or dress them in a sleep sack
- Put on some soft music
- Give a short baby massage
- Read a bedtime book
It’s less important what you do in the sleep routine specifically, and more important that you do it consistently.
Note: Swaddling should only be used for younger infants who haven’t started rolling over. After rolling starts, swaddling should be replaced with a sleep sack or other safe alternatives to prevent suffocation risks.
Put baby down drowsy but awake.
Don’t wait until your baby is asleep to put them in their crib. You want to put them down drowsy but awake. This will help them start to learn to fall asleep on their own, something that will be very important for future sleep training.
Nap time with Newton
Now that you know the signs of the 4 to 3 nap transition and how to manage it, you’re ready to help your little one get into their naptime groove.
With all that sleeping, it’s no surprise that finding the right mattress is key. The Newton Original Mattress is firm and breathable, as well as 100% washable. It features a soft, quilted, removable cover for comfy sleeping and easy cleaning.
Everyone in the house can sleep more soundly with Newton!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nap gets dropped in a 4 to 3 nap transition?
During a 4 to 3 nap transition, it’s the fourth nap that will be dropped. That’s because all day, your little one’s wake windows are longer. As a result, the last nap is no longer necessary as it’s now too close to bedtime.
What is an example of a 3-nap schedule?
A three-nap schedule might look something like this:
Wake up : 7:00 am
Nap 1: Starts 8:30am to 9:00am
Nap 2: Starts 12:30pm to 1:00pm
Nap 3: Starts 3:00pm to 3:30pm
Bedtime: Between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Ideally, each nap is over an hour long.
How long does a nap transition from 4 to 3 naps take?
Generally, your baby will transition from 4 to 3 naps over the course of a couple weeks, although some babies transition faster than others. Don’t worry if it takes your little one some extra time. Just keep watch of their cues and try to help them find their new rhythm of rest.
