How to Get Your Newborn to Take a Nap

When your baby is first born, napping may not seem like a problem. Eat, sleep, eat, sleep; napping is all newborns do! You never get a full eight hours rest because they only take naps.

But as the days and weeks progress, your baby's natural schedule will continue to evolve. He or she may start sleeping in longer stretches, or sometimes refuse to sleep when you really, really need her to sleep. Here are some tips for getting your baby to nap regularly.

Keep a log. First, see what happens naturally. Keep a log of when your baby eats and sleeps, and how long she sleeps each time. Just observe for 2-3 days.

Make a schedule. Using your baby's natural rhythms, which you recorded in your log, create a schedule for you and your baby. If you feel you need to shift the times a little, give it a try! Shifting times may take a little while; if your baby wants to feed and nap at 1:00, but you would rather have her do it at 12:00 so you can eat lunch while she naps, gradually shift the time back, 15 minutes at a time.

Be flexible. You may find that you need to shift the schedule every few weeks. Babies have growth spurts every now and then, and their feeding and sleeping needs change right along with the growth spurts. Try to go with the flow.

It's OK to nurse your baby to sleep. Some people insist that putting the baby down awake is the way to teach her to fall asleep, and for some people it works. But if it's not working for you, don't do it. You can even lie down with your baby and nurse her to sleep (make sure you have safe co-sleeping arrangements).

It's OK to use a pacifier as well. Not every baby needs or wants a pacifier, but for some, it works like a charm.

Don't be afraid to keep your baby attached to you. Some people say that if you always hold your baby, she'll never go to sleep on her own. That's just not true. It's true that it may take longer for your child to learn to sleep on her own. But if it feels right to just carry your baby in a sling while she naps, or to lie down and nap with her, it is OK to do that.

In the end, it's up to you to make the right decision for you and your baby. These tools and others may be useful to you, or they may not! Find what works for you and use it.