Helping Baby Nap

Naps are definitely hard, regardless of your child’s age, but none more so in those early few months as your baby’s nap rhythms are generally not established until 6 months. This can mean that both you and baby are frustrated trying to achieve and maintain any semblance of day time sleep.

- Lucy Wolfe

Firstly, it’s important to note that having challenges with naps in the early months is entirely typical and not a representation of your skills as a parent; nor is it an indication that your child will not routinely be a good sleeper in time. This nap-struggle is so normal, I encourage you to lean into it, and not to worry about what you think may be bad habits or that you are creating a situation in place that you are committed to in perpetuity. These first few months are so challenging anyway, and worrying about sleep, is a waste of your energy.

Although you will be tired and potentially feel like this time won’t end, it will and as your baby gets older, you can work more intensely on improving your sleep, in a way that can be often ineffective in the early days. That said, it is still a good time to begin to lay a foundation for what I describe as being positive sleep practises, but my main message would be to give yourself a break and be kind to yourself. Spend your valuable energy on learning to teach your baby to feel loved safe and secure.