When putting baby down for a nap should you time it?

Question

I have just started my 8 month old on a schedule due to school and work going on in the house she needs a more of a schedule now. But the thing I'm having an issue with is I put her down for 2 1.5 hour naps do I start timing the naps from the time I lay her down even if she is not asleep or do I wait till she falls asleep and start timing. Like right now she is just playing in her crib. Is quite time as good as a nap at that age

Answer 1

It's great that you started her on shedule keep it the same way,kids love to know what's next,that way you control them and they feel relaxed.
You can start timing from the minute she closes her eyes,but don't expect that every day she'll sleep for 1 1/2 hour each nap.Depend on how exhausted she is from playing.

Answer 2

You shouldn't time naps at all

As long as she is playing quietly she is getting rest, but once she falls asleep you should let her sleep until she wakes (as much as you can within reason) and if you have to wake her - wake her at the same time everyday rather than trying to wake her based on when she fell asleep ..she will adapt to the time wake up it will become routine.

Good luck with this new schedule - it will get better

Answer 3

Quite time is good but different than a nap. If you want to time her on how long she is sleeping then you need to watch her and start timing when she falls asleep...or sometimes if she just lays there you can take how long she lays down and divide it by 2...ex she lays down for 30 min...its equal to 15 min of sleep...

Answer 4

Wait until your daughter shows signs of tiredness, lay her down and let her sleep as long as she wants unless you need to take her somewhere, when of course, you'd wake her up. Playing quietly in the crib is good, too.

Playing by herself is a huge sign of a healthy kid. Most kids do not know how to entertain themselves without a TV or video game. This child is quietly playing with her toys, and she doesn't need anyone's help to do so. She will be a successful adult.

Enjoy your baby!

TX Mom
Mine are 17 and 21
17 could entertain himself with a pencil
21 wants to be entertained all the time

Answer 5

I put Noah down from 10:30 to 12:30 and again from 3:30 to 4:30. Sometimes, he sleeps, sometimes he cries. But, I start timing his from the time he hits the crib.

Answer 6

i think that quiet time is just as good as a nap to be honest. my 9 month old sometimes doesn't go straight to sleep but at least he is getting chill out time which is just as good.

Answer 7

I don't think there is any way to guarantee that your child will sleep for exactly 1.5 hours. Are you in the army? Put her down at the same time every day and let her sleep as long as she needs...

Answer 8

my son gets 2, hour and half naps a day.