Naps 101: How Many Naps Does My Baby Need, and When to Drop One
By Paola Mendoza, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant (CPSM) · Last updated September 2026
Quick answer: Most babies take 4 to 6 naps as newborns, 3 to 4 naps at 4 to 5 months, 3 dropping to 2 between 6 and 8 months, 2 naps from 9 to about 15 months, and 1 midday nap from roughly 15 months to 3 years. Drop a nap when your baby resists it consistently for about 2 weeks, not after a few bad days.
Naps are the unsung heroes of good nighttime sleep. When naps work, nights usually work too. Here's a simple guide by age.
How many naps does my baby need by age?
| Age | Naps | Wake window | Day sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | 4 to 6 | 45 to 90 minutes | Varies |
| 4 to 5 months | 3 to 4 | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | 3.5 to 4.5 hours |
| 6 to 8 months | 3, dropping to 2 | 2 to 3 hours | 3 to 3.5 hours |
| 9 to 12 months | 2 | 3 to 4 hours | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| 13 to 18 months | 2, dropping to 1 | 4 to 6 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| 18 to 36 months | 1 | 5 to 6 hours | 1.5 to 2 hours |
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See the Restful Nights PlanHow do I know when to drop a nap?
Look for a pattern that lasts about 2 weeks, not a few bad days:
Your baby fights one nap or takes 30+ minutes to fall asleep for it
The last nap keeps pushing bedtime later
Naps shorten across the board
Early morning waking starts, with no other change
Newborn to 3 months: go with the flow
Newborns take 4 to 6 naps a day, from 20 minutes to 2 hours. Don't worry about a schedule yet. Focus on short wake windows of about 45 to 90 minutes and let your baby sleep when they're tired. A simple bedtime routine can start now.
4 to 8 months: three naps, then two
Most babies settle into 3 naps around 4 to 5 months, then move to 2 longer naps between 6 and 8 months. Signs it's time for 2: the third nap fights bedtime, bedtime keeps getting later, or the third nap disappears on its own. If naps are short at this age, read why naps are only 30 minutes.
9 to 15 months: the two-nap sweet spot
A morning and an afternoon nap, usually 2.5 to 3 hours of total day sleep. This is the most predictable nap stage. Protests around the first birthday are usually temporary.
15 months to 3 years: one midday nap
One nap of about 1.5 to 2 hours, usually starting between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. Most children keep this nap until around age 3. Here's how to handle the 2 to 1 nap transition.
Naps FAQ
How many naps should a 6 month old take?
Usually 3 naps, with wake windows of about 2 to 3 hours, often dropping to 2 naps near 8 months.
When do babies go from 3 naps to 2?
Usually between 6 and 8 months, when the third nap starts pushing bedtime too late.
When do toddlers drop to one nap?
Most toddlers move to one nap between 13 and 18 months, often around 15 months.
How long should a baby's nap be?
Anything over about 1 hour is a restorative nap. Many babies take one longer nap and one or two shorter ones.
Keep reading: Wake Windows by Age
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