Hellobee Boards

My son has slept through the night since around 3 months old, but he was late being good at naps. It was mostly our fault, I worked and my husband stayed home and didn't want to nap train him. So when I stopped working at 6 months, I made it a priority, and I would say by 7 months I had a good schedule. I used the methods in Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, and can't recommend that book enough! It is all about the schedule, consistency, and letting them cry it out. The crying part doesn't last long. I do the same routine (a meal or bottle, sleep sack, 2 books, rock, into crib) before each nap. The morning one is at 9 and the afternoon one is at 1. At first he would cry for a while and then maybe sleep 20-40 minutes. Pretty soon he wouldn't cry, but would wake up after 45 minutes EVERY TIME. That darn 45 minute intruder! But no matter what, whether he did sleep some or cried the whole time, he stayed in his crib for one full hour. By 8 months he was taking at least an hour nap each time, gradually getting longer. Now at 10 months he takes 1/5-2 hours in the morning, and 1-1.5 hours in the afternoon. He only does two naps and he goes to bed at 6:30 pm and sleeps until 7 am.

I hope this helps. I was super frustrated with the nap stuff. It was one of my biggest challenges, so I would say get that book, and just stick with it. It is hard, but once it finally works it is SO worth it! Feel free to email me:
chandrahuff@gmail.com

100% agree with Mrs. Bee. And I do think this topic requires a multi post series

Claire's always been a crappy napper, and your daughter's sleep schedule looks similar to how ours was at 9 months (and even now, at 11.5 months).

At 9 months, babies should be sleeping about 14 hours total, but 1-2 hours more or less isn't too big of a problem IF your child doesn't seem overtired, or is not physically affected by it.

I wrote a LONG blog post about sleep training here: http://www.geekinheels.com/2011/02/25/sleep-training-how-we-did-it.html

And this is a great reference chart for recommended sleep/waketimes at various ages: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11GHo4keUb2TVJUlSL1kD6HQcEgaNFBmzoQoOzcpcyas/edit?hl=en&authkey=CPXE1bsO&pli=1#

And personally, my favorite resource for sleep training: http://community.babycenter.com/post/a5417415/how_to_successfully_teach_a_baby_to_sleep_-_3rd_ed.

Nap training is a different beast from nighttime sleep training, so the best of luck!

hmm i don't know if nap training is the right answer right now since she's going to be starting daycare soon. you might be surprised though -- most babies sleep well in daycare. that was one of my biggest concerns because charlie was so trained to sleep in his crib, but he's been sleeping fine at daycare since day 1.

maybe hold off and see how she adjusts to daycare? who knows... her naps may sort themselves out!