How Long Should Daytime Naps Be For Babies?

Babies between 6 and 12 months are at a crucial stage of development, and getting the right amount of daytime naps can really improve the quality of their overall sleep. But getting the timing right is important—if they nap too little during the day, they might be cranky and tired; if they nap too much, they might have trouble falling asleep at night.

So, how long should daytime naps be? Let’s take a closer look!

The ideal nap length depends on the baby’s age, personal sleep habits, and their overall daily sleep needs.

6 months old

At this stage, nap times tend to be more regular. Babies who take shorter naps might nap three times a day: once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the afternoon. Babies who nap longer might take two long naps—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—or they might sneak in a quick nap in the early evening.

How long should they nap? Ideally, 2–3 naps totaling 3–4.5 hours.

9–12 months old

Most babies reduce their naps to twice a day, with the evening nap gradually disappearing. They’ll usually nap once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

How long should they nap? Two naps totaling 2.5–3 hours.

After 1 year old

Around 15 months, about half of the babies will drop their morning nap and just nap in the afternoon. By 24 months, almost all babies will only have one afternoon nap.

How long should they nap? They should gradually transition to one nap, lasting 1–2.5 hours.

These descriptions give you a general idea of nap patterns at different stages, but you can adjust based on your baby’s specific needs. Generally, by the time they’re 3 to 4 years old, most kids don’t need naps anymore. If your child isn’t napping or is only taking short naps at this age, there’s no need to force it—just consider putting them to bed a bit earlier in the evening.

Do you have any other questions about your baby’s naps? Feel free to share in the comments!