Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Here's the EXACT same baby bed Beyonce bought for Sir and Rumi

Here's the EXACT same baby bed Beyonce bought for Sir and Rumi

OPINION: Should we be bringing up our kids with 1970s values?

OPINION: Should we be bringing up our kids with 1970s values?

Khloé Kardashian shares the details about her daughter True Thompson's stroller

Khloé Kardashian shares the details about her daughter True Thompson's stroller

The youngest child in the family is apparently the favourite

The youngest child in the family is apparently the favourite

{headline}

{headline}

Serena Williams gets 'Emotional' thinking about when she'll stop breastfeeding her daughter

Serena Williams gets 'Emotional' thinking about when she'll stop breastfeeding her daughter

Zoe and Benji Marshall's baby joy

Zoe and Benji Marshall's baby joy

Anna Heinrich unlocks huge parenting milestone

Anna Heinrich unlocks huge parenting milestone

{headline}

{headline}

Ash Pollard shares the very first pic of baby Clementine

Ash Pollard shares the very first pic of baby Clementine

Tara Pavlovic’s baby bump is the cutest thing you’ll see all day

Tara Pavlovic’s baby bump is the cutest thing you’ll see all day

Tim Robards just shared the most adorable update on baby Elle

Tim Robards just shared the most adorable update on baby Elle

Shane Warne’s Son Jackson Gets Real About Their Relationship

Shane Warne’s Son Jackson Gets Real About Their Relationship

Ash Pollard reveals newborn daughter’s name

Ash Pollard shares newborn daughter's name

EXCLUSIVE: Jules Sebastian: 'My kids' hidden heartache'

EXCLUSIVE: Jules Sebastian: 'My kids' hidden heartache'

Australian Survivor star's baby joy

Australian Survivor star's baby joy

With Blackmores
  1. Home
  2. Health

When baby drops a nap: Parents tell how their day changed

What happens when baby drops a nap? For these parents, it was positively life-changing! - by Franki Hobson
  • 23 Nov 2018

We’ve all heard expecting parents announce that they WON’T be one of ‘those parents’ who revolve their lives around baby’s nap times. But then they have a baby…

When baby drops a nap: Parents tell how their day changed

And they realise that if their little baby doesn’t get their required sleep, they get cranky, and a whole long list of other side effects entail too.

But as the months pass by, whoa, baby gets bigger and requires less sleep. Most babies will drop a nap and for those parents it’s like … magic! Parents reclaim a third of their day (otherwise spent rocking baby to sleep and housebound!). And life starts to get better, happier, more rested, social and efficient. Parents can make plans again! And go to the gym! And get work done! It’s like life used to be… but plus one! They finally feel like they are #winning

Of course, some babies need a little nudge when it comes to dropping a day nap and sleeping soundly throughout the night.

According to Australian Baby Whisperer Sheyne Rowley, the two go hand-in-hand. Master your baby’s night sleep, and the day naps will fall into place. But how do you get baby to sleep – and not just to sleep – but enjoying good quality sleep that sees them waking with vibrancy and energy for the day? Try these tips …

1. Identify your baby’s sleep requirements

How much sleep does your baby need? “Babies typically fall into two categories,” explains Sheyne.  “For example, babies six to 12 months old can be a low-sleep requirement babies, who need 13-14 hours sleep in a 24 hour period, or a high-sleep requirement baby that needs 15 to 16 hours sleep.” Neither is right or wrong – they are just different.

DEAHN, 31, MUM TO JACK,

“WHEN JACK DROPPED DOWN TO DAY NAP AT 12 MONTHS OLD, IT MEANT WE WEREN’T SO BOUND BY HIS SLEEP SCHEDULE. WE COULD GO OUT FOR LONGER PERIODS DURING THE MORNINGS OR AFTERNOONS, TO THE BEACH OR HAVING A PICNIC, AND SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.” DEAHN, 31, MUM TO JACK, 2. #WINNING

2. Don’t listen to myths, listen to your baby.

Sheyne says there’s a common myth that babies need a routine which is typically two hours up, then two hours down. “If we followed this myth, we’d have a whole lot of parents having sleepless nights – because their baby would be either getting most of their sleep requirement during the day, or having restless cat-naps. All babies require 11-12 hours sleep at night.”

Use the 11-12 hour night sleep as a guide, and the remainder of your baby’s sleep requirements as a morning and afternoon nap, or if they are already down to one nap, a nap in the middle of the day.

MARIAM, 33, MUM TO ANNA GRACE, 16 MONTHS

“WE BECAME MORE SOCIAL WHEN ANNA GRACE DROPPED FROM 2 X ONE HOUR SLEEPS DURING THE DAY TO ONE 90 MINUTE SLEEP AT AROUND 11 MONTHS. NOW SHE CAN ENGAGE IN MORE ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, LIKE LIBRARY RHYME TIME, AND WE CAN ORGANISE MORE CATCH UPS WITH OUR EXTENDED FAMILY!” MARIAM, 33, MUM TO ANNA GRACE, 16 MONTHS

3. Learn what sleep associations work for you and your baby.

Does your baby sleep better after a warm bottle and a cuddle? Do they need to be rocked to sleep?

Work out what your baby’s best routine is and their preferred sleep associations.

“There’s two kinds sleep associations – parent-governed associations and child-governed associations,” explains Sheyne. “Parent-governed sleep associations include patting baby, rocking them, pushing them in a pram, anything that requires your intervention. Child-governed associations include thumb-sucking, dummies, cuddle toy, blankie, twirling hair, bottles… Whatever baby is doing when they go to sleep, they will expect to see when they wake up or stir at the end of a sleep cycle (typically 45 minutes). There is no right or wrong way, but if you practice parent-governed associations they will call out through the middle of the night and expect to be resettled the same way they were put to sleep.  A child-governed association teaches the baby what to do to get themselves back to sleep.”

4. Make sure baby is getting enough nutrition during the day

Sheyne says a well-nourished baby is less likely to wake during the night. Of course, fussy little eaters don’t realise this as they’re blankly refusing to eat their peas and carrots. If this is the case for you and your baby is 12+ months, try offering the baby a Blackmores Toddler Milk Drink before bedtime. Blackmores Toddler Milk Drink contains the essential vitamins and minerals to support your growing toddler’s nutritional needs.

LUKE, 42, DAD TO JOE, 22 MONTHS.

“WE FELT LIBERATED WHEN JOE STOPPED TAKING HIS MORNING NAP. IT FREED US UP AS A FAMILY TO VENTURE FURTHER AFIELD - WHETHER THAT’S GOING TO THE PARK OR CATCHING UP FOR A COFFEE WITH FRIENDS. BUT AS A DAD, IT ALSO GAVE ME MORE ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH JOE. WE COULD HANG OUT OR GO OUT FOR A WALK AND JUST GIVE HIS MUM A QUICK BREAK. LOOKING BACK, IT REALLY HELPED TO STRENGTHEN OUR BOND.” LUKE, 42, DAD TO JOE, 22 MONTHS. #WINNING

Q. How did your day change when your baby dropped a nap?

Parents tell ...

Here, parents whose toddlers have already dropped a nap reveal just how much their day to day changed for the better!

A.

“We were freed!”

 “Chloe was a terrible sleeper for the first 8 or so months – both at night and during the day. My daily activities were limited by my need to coax Chloe to sleep at home, in the pram or in the car three times each day. Then at 9-ish months she dropped a nap, down to two longer naps, and we instituted a different routine at night. Bath, pyjamas and a bottle worked a treat – Chloe settled so much better.

 This was life changing! With longer periods between naps, I could do more, socialise more, and expose Chloe to more activities and events. I wasn’t limited to two hour periods outside the house anymore. We weren’t in a perpetual rush. And I could concentrate on my studies at night without feeling like a zombie. The best part thought was the stress associated with naps and getting Chloe to sleep disappeared. Everyone was happier!” #Winning

Megan, 33, and Chloe, age 1

A. “We were freed!”  “Chloe was a terrible sleeper for the first 8 or so months – both at night and during the day. My daily activities were limited by my need to coax Chloe to sleep at home, in the pram or in the car three times each day. Then at 9-ish months she dropped a nap, down to two longer naps, and we instituted a different routine at night. Bath, pyjamas and a bottle worked a treat – Chloe settled so much better.   This was life changing! With longer periods between naps, I could do more, socialise more, and expose Chloe to more activities and events. I wasn’t limited to two hour periods outside the house anymore. We weren’t in a perpetual rush. And I could concentrate on my studies at night without feeling like a zombie. The best part thought was the stress associated with naps and getting Chloe to sleep disappeared. Everyone was happier!” #Winning  Megan, 33, and Chloe, age 1

A. “We were freed!” “Chloe was a terrible sleeper for the first 8 or so months – both at night and during the day. My daily activities were limited by my need to coax Chloe to sleep at home, in the pram or in the car three times each day. Then at 9-ish months she dropped a nap, down to two longer naps, and we instituted a different routine at night. Bath, pyjamas and a bottle worked a treat – Chloe settled so much better. This was life changing! With longer periods between naps, I could do more, socialise more, and expose Chloe to more activities and events. I wasn’t limited to two hour periods outside the house anymore. We weren’t in a perpetual rush. And I could concentrate on my studies at night without feeling like a zombie. The best part thought was the stress associated with naps and getting Chloe to sleep disappeared. Everyone was happier!” #Winning Megan, 33, and Chloe, age 1

A.

“I started yoga classes again!”

“I didn’t realise just how much I missed yoga until I started classes again! Blake was 13 months when he dropped a nap from two to one – which is now in the middle of the day and lasts for around 90 minutes. So we literally reclaimed our mornings and our afternoons! My fitness centre has an onsite nanny so I can leave Blake for an hour to play with the other little ones while I stretch, and sweat, and hold a pose uninterrupted! It’s not only good for my soul, but helps my back aches and just makes me feel more alive and energised. I reckon I’m a better mum after a yoga session!” #Winning

Susan, 34, mum to Blake, 20 months

A.

“We suddenly had more time!”

 “Gino was having 2 naps a day up until about 18 months of age. He’d have 1 in the morning at around 9 or 10am for 1 to 2 hours, and then another in the afternoon around 2pm for about 1 to 2 hours. It was so inconsistent and so disruptive to our day. And it was really hard to plan anything, like catching up with friends and family, or getting chores done! 

When he went down to 1 day nap it felt like we had so much more time! We could plan things like catch ups with family and other things we wanted to do because we knew when he’d need to nap and for how long.” #Winning

Hunmi, 40, mum to Gino, 22 months

HUNMI SAYS NOW THAT GINO'S ONE DAILY NAP IS PREDICTABLE, THEY CAN MAKE PLANS - AND KEEP THEM!

HUNMI SAYS NOW THAT GINO'S ONE DAILY NAP IS PREDICTABLE, THEY CAN MAKE PLANS - AND KEEP THEM!

A.

“I finally got my retail therapy!”

“I know it sounds silly but I hadn’t bought any new clothes for myself during the pregnancy or for the 12 months post-baby because I was waiting to get my ‘body back!’ Now I’ve accepted ‘my body’ is this ‘new body’ and I desperately wanted to get some retail therapy but it was impossible with Charlotte – she won’t sleep in a pram and her awake times were around 2 hours for the first year! Now she’s down to one nap so I can get a good dose of shopping in the morning or arvo’s. Having new clothes was just what I needed for a confidence boost!” #Winning

Carly, 42, mum to Charlotte, 19 months

A.

“I get work done!”

“Working from home and looking after a baby is no easy feat, I can assure you! I do it twice a week (and my wife does it two days a week.). The first six months was torture because my wife and I were so sleep deprived, but by 18 months Maddy was down to one sleep a day, which was for around 2 ½ hours! It’s so much more efficient working uninterrupted for a large block of time. And we literally reclaimed 3 x 45 minutes of ‘rocking baby to sleep’ time a day.” #Winning    

Paul, 38, dad to Madeline, 19 months

Want more information?

Blackmores Toddler Milk Drink contains the essential vitamins and minerals to support your growing toddler's nutritional needs. For more information about Blackmores Toddler Milk Drink and other products, visit Blackmores.com.au.

Blackmores
Franki Hobson
Franki Hobson
Franki Hobson is a women’s lifestyle journalist and editor with more than twenty years’ experience. Her areas of expertise include fashion, beauty, parenting and health and well-being. Franki has two gorgeous boys, Maxwell, 10, and Louis, 1 ½.

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

By Willow Bay, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Neoprene Tote

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

Here's the EXACT same baby bed Beyonce bought for Sir and Rumi

Here's the EXACT same baby bed Beyonce bought for Sir and Rumi

OPINION: Should we be bringing up our kids with 1970s values?

OPINION: Should we be bringing up our kids with 1970s values?

Khloé Kardashian shares the details about her daughter True Thompson's stroller

Khloé Kardashian shares the details about her daughter True Thompson's stroller

The youngest child in the family is apparently the favourite

The youngest child in the family is apparently the favourite

{headline}

{headline}

Serena Williams gets 'Emotional' thinking about when she'll stop breastfeeding her daughter

Serena Williams gets 'Emotional' thinking about when she'll stop breastfeeding her daughter

Zoe and Benji Marshall's baby joy

Zoe and Benji Marshall's baby joy

Anna Heinrich unlocks huge parenting milestone

Anna Heinrich unlocks huge parenting milestone

{headline}

{headline}

Ash Pollard shares the very first pic of baby Clementine

Ash Pollard shares the very first pic of baby Clementine

Tara Pavlovic’s baby bump is the cutest thing you’ll see all day

Tara Pavlovic’s baby bump is the cutest thing you’ll see all day

Tim Robards just shared the most adorable update on baby Elle

Tim Robards just shared the most adorable update on baby Elle

Shane Warne’s Son Jackson Gets Real About Their Relationship

Shane Warne’s Son Jackson Gets Real About Their Relationship

Ash Pollard reveals newborn daughter’s name

Ash Pollard shares newborn daughter's name

EXCLUSIVE: Jules Sebastian: 'My kids' hidden heartache'

EXCLUSIVE: Jules Sebastian: 'My kids' hidden heartache'

Australian Survivor star's baby joy

Australian Survivor star's baby joy

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Neoprene Tote-WORTH $79.95

Shop This Offer
FREE Neoprene Tote