[Emma H]

Hi Ian,

It’s so great to hear that your little one is doing well with those first two naps – that’s a huge win at such a young age!

The challenges you’re describing with the later naps and bedtime are actually quite common at this age. To help me work out what’s behind it for your little one and suggest some strategies, I just have a few questions.

When you have time (which I know is extremely difficult with a 3-month-old!), could you answer these questions:

1. Does your little one have a consistent wake-up time? If so, what time is it?
2. Are you following the wake, feed, play, sleep routine during the day?
3. How many naps is she having (I’m assuming four based on what you mentioned) and what are the timing and length of these naps?
4. Do you have a nap routine? If so, what does it look like?
5. Does she have a bedtime routine? If so, what does it include?
6. What time is bedtime?
7. Does she use a pacifier?
8. Is her bedroom cool, dark and quiet?
9. Are you room sharing with her? If so, what time are you going to bed? (Sometimes early wakes can be because of our bedtimes.)
10. How are you settling her to sleep?

Sorry for all the questions!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Meaghan,

Welcome! And congratulations on the arrival of your little one! I hope you’re getting lots of lovely cuddles!

From what you’ve described, it sounds like you’re doing an amazing job observing your little one’s cues and creating a consistent nap routine!

At 4 weeks old, it’s completely normal for babies to rely on feeding as part of their settling process. As you’ve probably noticed, they frequently fall asleep while feeding because their wake windows are so short.

That said, I understand your concern about creating a feed-to-sleep association and wanting to encourage other ways for your baby to settle.

Here are a few suggestions to help you gradually reduce reliance on feeding for settling:

1. Follow the Wake, Feed, Play, Sleep Routine

At this age, the routine typically looks like: wake, feed, nappy change (this helps them wake up), finish the feed, and most often they fall asleep while feeding.

What you should start to see in the coming weeks is: he wakes from a nap, has a feed, nappy change, finishes the feed, has a little playtime, then sleep. When he starts staying awake after the feed, you can try settling him in the cot using the settling pyramid.

It sounds like he’s already starting to have some wake time following feeds – is that correct?

2. Adjust the Settling Pyramid Slightly

Your nap time routine sounds great, and it’s fantastic you’ve already started using the settling pyramid for some naps. It’s fine to rock him while lying in the crib instead of patting if that’s what he prefers at this stage.

It sounds like you might be offering him a feed after the 3rd attempt at getting him to settle. At this age this is completely fine – particularly before bedtime. But if you want to move away from this feed-to-sleep pattern, you could try settling him to sleep in your arms for some naps. So when you pick him up after the third attempt instead of offering him a feed, gently bounce up and down while patting his bottom. When he calms down, slow the bouncing and keep patting, then stop bouncing and just keep patting, then stop patting and hold him still as he falls asleep.

This approach helps him learn to fall asleep without a feed and without movement, making the transition to the settling pyramid easier later on.

3. Respond to Early Tired Cues

At this age, wake windows are very short. If you wait too long to settle him, he might become overtired, making it harder for him to fall asleep without a feed.

Watch for early tired cues like staring off, reduced movement, or subtle yawns, and start the nap routine as soon as you notice them.

4. Consider Using a Swaddle

You mentioned using a sleep bag – I’m assuming this has his arms free? If so, a swaddle (where his arms are down by his side) could make nap time easier. Just something to consider if you’re not already using one.

But, honestly, at 4 weeks, it sounds like you’re doing an amazing job and he’s already sleeping very well! So, if you want to continue with your current routine and revisit these suggestions when he’s 6-8 weeks old, that’s completely fine too.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Györgyi,

Sorry, I completely misunderstood – what you’ve described sounds absolutely great!

In regards to tweaking his nap schedule, could you clarify what it currently looks like? I’d love to know:

• His morning wake time (I’m assuming around 7am?)
• When he has his first and second naps
• What time he tends to wake up from each nap
• His current bedtime

Once I know what his schedule roughly looks like, I’ll be able to give you some tailored advice to help get things working even better for you both!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi,

It’s great that you’re happy to give these suggestions a go.

In regards to your little one appearing to have fuller feeds at childcare with all the busyness around her, it would definitely be worth checking in with them about the frequency that she’s feeding.

She might be having those fuller feeds because they’re only offering her a feed every 2-3 hours, and therefore when she is offered a feed she’s really hungry and taking it all at once. If this is the case, then it might be something worth trying at home too, to see if that helps reduce the grazing behaviour you’ve been experiencing.

If after trying these suggestions for a week you notice that she is still fighting bedtime and not settling to sleep until 8:45 – 9pm then let me know and we can make some more adjustments.
Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Ian,

It sounds like your little one is doing really well with her first two naps – that amount of sleep is fantastic at this age!

For the third and fourth naps, it’s completely normal for these to be shorter and trickier. Given that her first two naps are so long, it’s not surprising that she’s already looking at dropping that fourth nap.

To help her settle more easily for the third nap and bedtime, I have three suggestions:

1. Narrow her morning wake-up time

At the moment, her wake-up time varies by an hour. Narrowing this to a 30-minute window will help make bedtime more consistent and encourage her to stay asleep when you lay her down.

Over the next week, could you track when she naturally wakes up each morning? This will help you figure out whether her wake-up window should be 6:30-7am or 7-7:30am. A consistent wake-up time will also help that first nap happen around the same time each day.

2. Help her have fuller feeds

You mentioned she’s a grazer (great that this is improving!). At this age, babies are so curious that even small sounds can pull their attention away from feeding.

Try this: when she wakes from a nap, let her play for a little while if she’s happy. Then offer her feed in a quiet, slightly dim room. The lack of distractions might help her focus and take a longer feed.

3. Consider shifting her bedtime

She’s currently fighting bedtime and waking shortly after you put her down. This usually means bedtime is too early or too late.

Try shifting bedtime 30 minutes earlier to 7pm for three days. Make sure that third nap finishes at least 1.5 hours before this new bedtime. And see if this new bedtime leads to less fighting. If this doesn’t help, it would be helpful to track when she naturally falls asleep and stays asleep over the next week as this might show you her ideal bedtime (which might be later than 7:30pm). If her natural bedtime is later than 7:30pm then you could try shifting her bedtime later and see if this helps. If you do need to shift her bedtime later, she might need to have 4 naps again.

Also, it’s great that she’s found her thumbs! Hopefully, this makes bedtime a little easier!

Does this sound doable?

Emma

P.S. Could you let me know the timing of her first, second and third naps? Based on what you’ve said, I’m assuming her schedule looks like this:

• 6:30/7am – Wake
• 8:30/9am – First nap
• 10/10:30am – Wake
• 12/12:30pm – Second nap
• 2/2:30pm – Wake
• 4/4:30pm – Third nap
• 4:30/5pm – Wake
• 7:30pm – Bedtime

Is this correct?

[Emma H]

Hi!

Thanks so much for answering my questions!

I have a few more questions to help work out if the difficulties with nap 3 (and 4 if needed) and bedtime are due to overtiredness. If that’s the case, we should be able to fix this by tweaking her nap schedule.

Could you let me know:

• When she generally has her naps during the day and how long each one lasts?
• How long she’s awake between nap 3 and bedtime?

This will help me see the full picture of her day!

Sorry again for the extra questions.

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Catherin,

It sounds like your little one is still in the in between stages of transitioning from 3 naps to 2. It sounds like she is nearly there though. I have answered your questions below:

1. Is 10 hours of sleep normal for her age?

At 10 months, babies typically need around 12-15 hours of total sleep in a 24-hour period, with about 10-12 hours of that being overnight sleep and the rest during naps. If she’s averaging 10 hours total, that’s on the lower end, but it’s not necessarily a cause for concern if she’s happy, alert, and meeting her developmental milestones. However, if she’s consistently sleeping only 9 hours on some days, it might indicate that her schedule could use a little tweaking to help her get closer to her sleep needs.

2. Her current schedule and nap lengths

It’s great that you’re following her cues! Transitioning to two naps can be tricky, and it’s normal for things to feel a bit inconsistent during this period. Here’s what I’d suggest based on what you’ve shared:

• Morning nap: A 20-30 minute nap in the morning is quite short for her age. Ideally, her first nap would be closer to 1-1.5 hours. Short naps can sometimes happen if she’s overtired or undertired going into the nap. From what you have said I am leaning more to overtired.
• Afternoon nap: A longer afternoon nap of 1.5-2 hours is perfectly fine! You don’t need to cap it at 1.5 hours unless it’s pushing her bedtime too late. If her afternoon nap is consistently starting at 4-4:30 pm, though, it’s likely too late in the day, which could be why bedtime is stretching to 8:30 pm. Ideally, her second nap would end by 3:30 pm to allow enough wake time before bed.

3. Adjusting her schedule

To help her get closer to 11-12 hours of total sleep, you could try the following:

• Wake time: Stick with 7 am as her consistent wake-up time.
• Morning nap: Aim for it to start at 9am and wake her if she isn’t awake by 10:30 am
• Afternoon nap: Start around 1/1:30 pm and cap it by 3 pm.
• Bedtime: Aim for 7pm. If she’s not tired by 7 pm, a slightly later bedtime like 7:30 pm might suit her better at this stage.

This schedule should help balance her daytime sleep and create enough sleep pressure for a more consistent bedtime and night sleep.

4. Night sleep inconsistency

It’s completely normal for babies to have ups and downs with night sleep, especially during transitions like dropping a nap or hitting developmental milestones. If she’s waking twice some nights, it could be due to overtiredness from short naps or a late afternoon nap. Sticking to a consistent schedule and ensuring she’s not overtired at bedtime can help reduce night wakings over time.

If she’s waking and needing help to settle, you might consider gradually encouraging her to self-settle using a gentle method like shushing or patting in the crib. This can help her link sleep cycles more independently.

5. Humidifiers and sleep

I don’t find that humidifiers improve a little one’s sleep. But this is something you can discuss with your little one’s doctor, as they would be the best person to discuss this with.

Does this make sense?

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Julia,

It sounds like you’re making some great progress, even though I know it might not feel like it right now with the disrupted nights. Transitioning out of the swaddle can be a tricky phase, especially when your little one is still learning to self-settle with their arms free. Let’s break this down and see how we can make things a bit smoother for both of you.

Firstly, you’re absolutely right to prioritise transitioning out of the swaddle now that your baby is nearly rolling. Keeping her arms free is essential for her safety, as rolling while swaddled can pose a suffocation risk since she wouldn’t be able to push herself up or adjust her position. Even though it’s tempting to delay, it’s better to persevere now rather than risk needing to make an emergency change later.

When babies transition out of the swaddle, they often struggle with the newfound freedom of movement. It’s common for them to startle themselves awake or accidentally hit themselves, which can disrupt their ability to self-settle. This is likely why she was able to self-settle with one arm in but is finding it harder now with both arms out. It’s a big adjustment, but it’s temporary – most babies adapt within a week or two with consistency and support.

What You Can Do Differently

Here are a few strategies to help her adjust and improve her sleep:

1. Use a Transitional Sleep Sack
   If you’re not already using one, a sleep sack designed for transitioning (like the ones with zip-off sleeves) can help. These provide a snug feeling around the torso while allowing her arms to move freely. Some babies find this comforting as it mimics the security of a swaddle.

2. Focus on Daytime Sleep
   You mentioned her naps are improving, which is fantastic! Keep working on extending her daytime sleep, as overtiredness can make night wakings more frequent and harder to manage.

3. Adjust Night Feeds Gradually
   Adding an extra feed during this transition is completely normal, as she might be seeking comfort or reassurance. Once she’s more settled with her arms out, you can work on reducing that extra feed by offering less milk or shortening the feeding time. Or you may find that once she gets comfortable and used to having both arms out she will natural drop that additional feed.

4. Stick to a Consistent Routine
   Babies thrive on predictability, so keep her bedtime routine consistent. This helps signal to her that it’s time to wind down and sleep, even if the transition feels rocky right now.

Remember: Most babies adapt to sleeping with their arms out within a week or two. It’s a tough phase, but you’re doing all the right things by giving her the opportunity to practice self-settling and supporting her when she needs it.

About Ferber

I completely understand why Ferber might feel too harsh at this stage. It’s not the only option, and you’re already using a gentler approach with the settling pyramid, which can be just as effective over time. The key is consistency and gradually reducing your involvement as she learns to settle herself.

Does this make sense?
Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Kate,

This is such a fantastic update! I’m so glad to hear that adjusting her morning wake-up time has made such a difference. It sounds like you’ve really found a rhythm that works for her and for you!

Those longer night stretches must feel like such a relief. And it’s fantastic you’ve discovered a nap routine that doesn’t involve the bottle, this means she would be getting the opportunity to fall asleep on her own which will help her start linking those sleep cycles (it sounds like she is already doing this!)

Now, about the 4-month sleep regression – it’s a great question. The thing about the 4-month regression is that it’s not something that starts and then “ends” in the traditional sense. It’s actually a permanent change in how your baby sleeps. Between 3 – 5 months, their sleep matures, and they begin cycling through four stages of sleep, just like adults. This means they’re more likely to wake after one sleep cycle (about 45 minutes during naps or 2-3 hours at night) if they haven’t yet learned how to link those cycles independently.

What you were experiencing before – those disrupted nights and short stretches – could very well have been related to this sleep maturation process. But it sounds like the changes you’ve made to her schedule have helped her adjust beautifully. By ensuring her wake windows and naps are well-timed, and by avoiding an overtired or undertired state at bedtime, you’ve likely minimised the impact of this transition. So, while the “regression” itself doesn’t technically end, it seems like you’ve already navigated through the trickiest part of it!

If she’s now sleeping longer stretches at night and settling well for naps, I’d say you’re in a great place. The fact that she’s not waking after the first sleep cycle anymore is a strong sign that her day/night balance is spot on.

As for letting her go longer than six hours without a feed, I think it’s wise to check with your doctor, especially since every baby’s nutritional needs are different. But if she’s gaining weight well and seems content, she may naturally start stretching those feeds on her own.

Overall though she is doing so well.

Emma

p.s Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is such a beautiful song – I’d love that too!

[Emma H]

Hi Györgyi!

It’s so nice to hear about the progress you’ve made – having him nap in his crib and follow a routine is a huge step forward. It sounds like you’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and I hope you’re feeling proud of what you’ve achieved so far!

I have answered your questions below.

1) Breastfeeding to Sleep and the Settling Pyramid

It’s great that you have been able to tweak the settling pyramid so it works for your little one. You mentioned that he’s napping for 10 minutes. The reason he might be continuing to have these short naps is because the sucking motion from feeding is what he needs to fall asleep.

Ideas to improve your success with the settling pyramid include:

• Reviewing his wake windows – At this age, babies can stay awake for 2-2½ hours at a time. If he’s having short wake windows, it might mean he’ll protest more at nap time because he isn’t tired enough to fall asleep. It might be worth stretching his wake window by 15 minutes initially to see if this makes it easier for him to fall asleep with the settling pyramid.
• Trying the settling pyramid for that first nap of the day and at bedtime – Given that his wake-up time is 7am, his first nap should fall around 9am.

It’s also worth noting that thumb-sucking is a brilliant self-soothing strategy, and it’s encouraging that he’s starting to use it! Over time, this skill will likely help him settle more independently.

2) Night Wakings

Two night wakings at 5 months old are very typical, especially if one or both are for feeding. It’s great that you’re already considering factors like hunger, temperature, and discomfort. Here are a few additional strategies to minimise unnecessary wakings:

• Ensure full feeds during the day – Offering full feeds during the day can help reduce the likelihood of hunger-driven wakings at night. If you’re breastfeeding, try feeding in a quiet, distraction-free environment to encourage him to take in as much as possible.
• Use the settling pyramid for non-hunger wakings – For wakings that don’t seem to be driven by hunger, you can use the settling pyramid to help him resettle without feeding. This might involve patting, shushing, or briefly picking him up and putting him back down once he’s calm.
• Consistent wake-up time – Waking him at 7am each day is brilliant for regulating his circadian rhythm and supporting more predictable sleep patterns. Sticking to this wake-up time, even after a rough night, will pay off in the long run.

3) Nighttime Pooping

Many babies naturally stop pooping at night as their digestive systems mature. Since you’ve already noticed a decrease in nighttime pooping, it’s likely that this will continue to improve with time. If you notice he has lots of bowel movements during the day and night and they continue to be runny when he starts solids, just mention it to your little one’s doctor.

I hope this helps!

Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Julia,

It’s great to hear the live demonstrations were helpful!

It sounds like your little one’s sleep is going really well.

You should start to notice your little one linking sleep cycles, so her naps will gradually get longer – which sounds like it’s already happening given some naps are now an hour!

Typically, we want the first two naps to become the longer ones, with shorter naps after that. As those naps lengthen, there won’t be enough time for the 4th nap and you’ll skip it. If that happens, you might need to move bedtime 30 minutes earlier so that final wake window isn’t too long. With time, as your little one gets comfortable staying awake longer, you can gradually move bedtime back.

If your little one is having 4 naps a day, it would look similar to your previous schedule:

• 7:00 AM: Feed & play
• 9:00 AM: Nap 1 (hopefully 1 hour)
• 10:00 AM: Feed & play
• 12:00 PM: Nap 2 (maybe 30 mins)
• 12:30 PM: Feed & play
• 2:30 PM: Nap 3 (maybe 30 mins)
• 3:00 PM: Feed & play
• 5:00 PM: Nap 4 (maybe 30 mins)
• 5:30 PM: Feed & play
• 7:00-7:30 PM: Bedtime routine and sleep

When she starts extending those naps more consistently and you can’t fit the 4th nap in, her schedule could look like this:

• 7:00 AM: Feed & play
• 9:00 AM: Nap 1 (possibly 1.5-2 hours)
• 11:00 AM: Feed & play
• 1:00 PM: Nap 2 (possibly 1.5-2 hours)
• 3:00 PM: Feed & play
• 5:00 PM: Nap 3 (30 minutes – a shorter catnap)
• 5:30 PM: Feed & play
• 7:00-7:30 PM: Bedtime routine and sleep

I hope that helps!
Emma

[Emma H]

Hi Kate,

It’s so good to hear that she managed a 5-hour stretch the other night – hopefully that has continued.

Looking at her current nap schedule, I agree with you, it seems like you’re in that tricky transition phase where her total sleep needs are shifting, but she’s not quite ready to consolidate everything yet. That’s why the accidental fourth nap seems to work so well – it helps bridge the gap when her daytime sleep falls short. It’s completely normal for this stage to feel a bit unpredictable, and you’re absolutely right that things will naturally smooth out as she grows and her wake windows lengthen.

For now, here are a few ideas that might help:

1. First Wake Window: If she’s struggling with anything longer than 1.5 hours, stick with that for now. The app’s suggestion of 2 hours is more of a general guideline, but every baby is different. If she’s showing tired signs and settling well at 1.5 hours, that’s what matters most.

2. Accidental Fourth Nap: It’s great that you’re flexible enough to embrace these when they happen! While it’s hard to force them, you could experiment with offering a short stroller or contact nap during the last wake window on particularly rough days. Even 15–20 minutes can take the edge off overtiredness and make bedtime easier.

3. Bedtime Challenges: The “nap that turns into bedtime” feeling you described is so common when bedtime ends up too early. If she’s waking after that first sleep cycle, it might help to aim for a slightly later bedtime on those days, even if it means a shorter last wake window. This can help her body recognise the difference between a nap and nighttime sleep.

As her wake windows naturally extend and her naps consolidate, you’ll likely find that the need for a fourth nap fades on its own. In the meantime, celebrate those little victories (like the 5-hour stretch!) and know that you’re laying a great foundation for her sleep.

Emma

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Emma H.

[Emma H]

Hi Kate,

First of all, I just want to say – you’re doing such an incredible job, especially while running on so little sleep. Please don’t be hard on yourself about that “new low” moment – it happens to so many parents when exhaustion takes over, and the most important thing is your little one is fine. Sleep deprivation is tough, and it’s clear you’re putting so much thought and effort into helping your little one settle better. 💛

The fact that you’ve successfully moved away from the feed-to-sleep association is a huge win – well done! It’s not easy, and it’s a big step toward more independent sleep down the line.

It’s also fantastic that you’ve found a settling routine that’s working for both of you most of the time. The gentle rocking and lullaby approach sounds like a lovely compromise, and it’s great to hear your back is feeling better too.

With the nights, what you’re describing does make sense. Around this age, many babies start to transition from 4 naps to 3 naps. For some, dropping that 4th nap too early can actually cause extra night waking because their total daytime sleep is just a little too low. The fact that she slept better on the days when the 4th nap happened accidentally suggests it may not have been a coincidence. Sometimes that last little bit of daytime sleep helps prevent overtiredness, which in turn reduces frequent night waking.

Can you update me on what her nap schedule now looks like? So the timing of her naps and how long she is sleeping for.

A couple of things you could consider:

• Watch her total daytime sleep – Even if she’s officially on 3 naps, try to make sure she’s still getting enough overall. If naps are short one day, an early catnap (even just 20–30 minutes) can sometimes make a huge difference.

• Bedtime flexibility – If she skips that 4th nap and is really struggling, bringing bedtime a little earlier can help reduce overtiredness. On the flip side, if she has had that extra nap, a slightly later bedtime might actually work better.

• Early morning wakes – These are common at this stage. Sometimes adjusting the balance of naps/bedtime helps, but they can also settle down naturally as her wake windows stretch out and her sleep cycles mature.

You’re absolutely right that her ability to stay awake longer will keep progressing over the next few weeks, and that often helps smooth things out without you having to “force” naps she doesn’t want. For now, staying flexible and watching her cues (like you’re already doing so beautifully) is the best approach.

I hope that helps!
Emma

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Emma H.

[Emma H]

Hi Milène,

No worries at all. Hopefully, the advice is helping!

Also, thanks so much for emailing me the ebook!

Regarding your questions, I have answered them below.

1. Extending Wake Windows to 2.5 Hours: Do You Need to Cap Naps?

If you extend her wake windows to 2.5 hours, you may need to adjust her naps slightly to ensure her bedtime stays around 8:00-8:30 pm. But something to keep in mind is that first wake window can be shorted than the other wake windows, so if you find that she is settling to sleep easily for that first nap of the day then here’s what I’d suggest:

• First nap: You could cap this at 1 hour (9:15/9:30 – 10:30 am). This ensures she has enough awake time before her second nap.
• Second nap: Keep this as her longer nap, around 1.5 hours (12:45/1 – 2:30 pm). This is often the most restorative nap of the day.
• Third nap: Cap this at 30 minutes (5:00 – 5:30 pm) to maintain enough sleep pressure for bedtime.

Does that feel manageable?

2. Moving/Spinning in Bed Before Falling Asleep: Is She Not Tired Enough?

The behaviour you’re seeing – rolling, spinning, scratching, and making those sweet little sounds – is very typical for this age. Babies are often so excited about their new motor skills (like rolling) that they’ll “practise” them even when they’re tired!

That said, if she’s consistently taking 15-20 minutes to fall asleep or becoming upset, it may be a sign she’s not quite tired enough yet. It’ll be interesting to see if she continues to move around a lot at the start of nap time once you stretch her wake windows slightly.

In the meantime, here’s what you can do:

• Observe her cues – If she’s happy and playful, it’s okay to let her explore and move around for up to 20 minutes. This can actually be her way of winding down. Just make a note of when she actually falls asleep, as this gives you a good guide for her ideal wake window.
• Limit intervention – If she’s not upset, try to avoid stepping in too quickly. With time, she’ll get better at settling herself.
• When to step in – If it’s been around 20 minutes or she becomes upset, you can gently help her settle. Start with the least intervention possible (like a hand on her or some gentle shushing) and only pick her up if she’s truly distressed.

The pacifier can also play a role here, since it sometimes disrupts the settling process if it keeps falling out. If you know she’s genuinely tired (for example, she’d fall asleep quickly if you held her at the end of the nap routine), but she struggles to drift off in the co-sleeper because of the pacifier, you’ve got a few options:

1. Stay in the room and pop the pacifier back in as needed until she falls asleep. Since she doesn’t yet have the fine motor skills to replace it herself (that usually develops closer to 7 months), you’ll need to do this for now.
2. Use the pacifier as part of the nap routine but remove it just before laying her down, so she doesn’t rely on it to fall asleep.
3. Wean her off the pacifier for sleep altogether.

I know you’ve been hesitant to go down the weaning route, especially while you’re also working through the aversion protocol, so for now it’s absolutely fine to just stick with option 1 or 2.

3. How and When to Drop the Last Nap of the Day

Most babies drop the third nap between 6-9 months, but the timing varies. Here are some signs she might be ready to transition to 2 naps:

• Struggling to fall asleep for the third nap: If she consistently resists this nap or takes a very long time to settle, it might be time to drop it.
• Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime: If the third nap pushes bedtime too late or she’s not tired enough at bedtime, it’s another sign she may no longer need it.
• Waking earlier in the morning: If she starts waking earlier than usual, it could mean she’s getting too much daytime sleep.

When she’s ready, you can gradually extend her wake windows to 2.5-3 hours and shift to a 2-nap schedule. For now, though, it sounds like she still benefits from the third nap, so I’d keep her on this schedule.

Does this make sense?

Emma

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Emma H.
• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Emma H.
• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Emma H.

[Emma H]

Hi Leonor,

You must feel so relieved that her paediatrician isn’t concerned about her weight – that’s great news!

It’ll be really interesting to see whether following the routine for a few weeks has an impact on her overnight wakes.

Please do keep me posted on how things go, I’d love to hear.

Emma