✓ When should a baby take naps?

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When should the baby take naps?

Il nap it's a physiological need, an activity, if we can say so, to which children willingly indulge, especially the little ones. There duration is very variable: some recharge during a rest of half an hour or an hour, others need to sleep more lungo. When should a baby take naps? There are some useful indications and information that it is good to know about this very important component of sleep. We talk about it with the pediatrician Alberto Ferrando, author of the book "The book of sleep - What to know and what to do for the happy sleep of your baby" (Edizioni Lswr).

The baby's nap at 4 months, 6 months and 9 months

What is the number and indicative duration of naps based on the baby's months?

"And 3-4 months the little one will do on average three naps a day, lasting 4-6 hours: still, in fact, he spends most of his time sleeping.

A 6 months naps can be three or two, but slightly shorter, than 3-4 hours.

A 9 months we calculate a couple of naps a day, of 2-4 hours each".

Read also: How Much Should a Newborn Sleep? And a child?

The baby's nap at one year and two years

And how long should a child at one and two years sleep during the day?

"A 12 months will 1-2, of the duration of 2-3 hours.

While a 2 years usually just one nap di 1-2 hours it's enough".

When the baby will sleep through the night

"There is no way to predict when he will start sleeping through the night: this varies a lot from child to child. Children breastfed, usually, in first months, do from 8 to 12 feedings a day, so at least every 2 or 3 hours. Most of the little ones a little at a time will extend the intervals of night sleep, but will still need to feed at night for several months. Keep the little ones close to each other during the night it makes less tiring nursing at night, so it is advisable to have the child close to her cot o baby cot or, if you prefer, with adequate security measures, in Latvian".

Naps and night sleep

"Children generally do self-regulate e and wake up alone. However if the afternoon rest continued too long can to delay the time of sleep in the evening. In this case it is good to allow the little one to take an afternoon nap, providing for wake him up gently after a certain amount of time. Keep in mind that when your child is awakened, even if he has rested well, he may experience some difficulty recovering. In this case it is necessary have patience and allow the child time to do so. Sometimes the child needs help with adjust the times naps. In this case it is possible to intervene gradually anticipating them o postponing them a quarter of an hour a day. Slowly, thebiological clock of the child will adjust ".

Read also: Napping is good for children's memory

How to make your baby fall asleep for naps?

Is there a way to help the baby fall asleep for naps?

"It cannot be imposed. Naps are necessary when the first ones are noticed signals of fatigue that is when the child:

rubs his eyes;
he is annoyed;
yawns;
lies down on the ground or in a chair;
loses interest in people or toys;
becomes dull, whiny, whiny or even crying;
asks for a pacifier or to be nursed.
it becomes quieter and slows down its activities.

When these conditions arise, it's easy accompany the child towards the sonno, creating an environment quiet e comfortable. In general, there is no standard way to get little ones to sleep: every approach to sleep must be calibrated and individualized for every single child and every single family ".

Children's sleep: international guidelines

Are there any guidelines for napping?

"The National Sleep Foundation American, an international reference point, has drawn up a table listing the hours of sleep recommended overall. Therefore, i sonnellini. In fact, in the first periods of life, children do not distinguish the day from notte. It can be adjusted according to the number and duration indicated above ".

Hours of sleep by age according to the National Sleep Foundation

infants (0 to 3 months): 14-17 hours of sleep per day;
children from 4 to 11 months: 12-15 hours of sleep per day;
children from 1 to 2 years: 11-14 hours of sleep per day;
children from 3 to 5 years: 10-13 hours of sleep per day;
children from 6 to 13 years: 9-11 hours of sleep per day;
adolescents (14 to 17 years): 8-10 hours of sleep per day;
adults from 18 to 25 years: 7-9 hours of sleep per day;
adults from 26 to 64 years: 7-9 hours of sleep per day;
elderly (over 65): 7-8 hours of sleep per day.

The interviewee

Alberto Ferrando he has been a family pediatrician since 1978, and has been involved in dissemination and courses for years. He is the author of numerous articles for various newspapers and since 2022 he has been talking to mothers and fathers through his blog.

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