Reasons why your newborn is not sleeping or napping during the day
Newborn not sleeping during the day? There are many reasons yourย baby sleeps well at night but not for naps, and thankfully itโs probably not because theyโre a natural-born party animal. Some of the most common reasons are outlined below.ย
Your baby is overtired
Once your baby becomesย overtired, itโs much harder for them to get to sleep. In an overtired state, your little one can produce cortisol and stress hormones, making the task of falling asleep a lot harder. Watch for your babyโs sleepy cues, so you can put them down for a nap before they reach the point of beingย overtired.ย
Your baby is overstimulated
Babies are sensitive to light and sound. If youโve taken your baby to a loud, busy place or theyโre being passed around the lunch table by a legion of adoring fans, they may become overstimulated and unable to fall asleep right away come nap time. Consider some quiet time before a nap, and give your little one the opportunity to fall asleep somewhere appropriate when their awake time is coming to an end.ย
Your baby is hungry
Just as we donโt enjoy going to bed hungry, neither does your baby. Itโs a good idea to schedule a feed just before nap time. You want to avoid feeding your babyย toย sleep if you can, but itโs important their little tummies are full before they nod off to stop them from resisting their nap, waiting to be fed.ย
Your baby is uncomfortable
If your baby is wet or they are uncomfortable with the temperature, they may not be able to settle themselves to sleep. Always ensure baby has a fresh nappy before their nap, and that they are dressed andย swaddledย in breathable fabrics that are temperature-appropriate to the climate youโre in.ย
Your baby isnโt taking the right number of naps during the day
Babies should have a certain number of naps each day, depending on their age. If they arenโt able to take the right number of naps, it may affect their ability to fall asleep. Here is a quick reference guide for average number of naps baby should take per day:
- 2-3 months old โ 3-5 naps
- 4-5 months old โ 2-3 naps
- 7-12 months old โ 2 naps
Create a consistent sleep schedule to allow your baby plenty of opportunity to get their naps in for the day.ย
Your baby is used to a different sleep cycle
If youโre in the process of changing how your baby falls asleep or training them to self-settle, that may be a reasonย babyโs not sleeping during the day. For example, if your baby is used to being, rocked, patted or fed to sleep and you are trying to have them fall asleep in their cot, it may take a period of adjustment before you baby becomes accustomed to a newย sleep cycleย or way of falling asleep.ย
How to get your newborn to nap during the day
In order to get your newborn to nap during the day, try some of the following ideas:
- Create a consistent sleep schedule and allow your baby to have ample awake time before trying to put them down for a nap
- Watch for sleepy cues and ensure baby is given the opportunity to nap before they becomeย overtired
- Ensure baby has some quiet time before their nap and is not being overstimulated by activities or their surrounding environment
- Feed, change andย swaddleย baby just before they nap
- Ensure your babyโs environment is conducive to sleep. If you can, dim the lights, ensure the room is at a comfortable temperature and minimise any disruptions
