What's an Ideal Nap Schedule for a 6 Month Old Baby?

I am VERY anti schedule. My son naps when he naps. That being said.....he has kinda made his own schedule. goes like this.

7-9 up
9-11 nap
11-2 up
2-5 nap
5-8 up

So, that is how it works out. The times aren't exact. I don't put him in his crib at 2pm and wait for him to fall asleep. I just let him play...and once he gives his signals...rubbing eyes, fussing, pulling on shirt over his head (i know weird)...I just put him in a place where I know he will sleep (play mat, swing, crib, etc.) and be safe.

My son is really easy going, will sleep anywhere, and is always happy......so I guess it works well. Most moms I talk to are on a two nap a day schedule. oh...my son is 7 months.

Babies nap when they are needed. This is another time that at 6 months they are starting to get around on their own. Naps are more for the parents than for the children. Most babies at this age are starting to get teeth, try 'Hy-land teething tablets' this too well aid in the crankiness.

You seem to be doing fine.
When my kids were that age... I put them down at certain times. I found that after about 2-3 hours of "awake" time, they got tired. Then I put them down to nap.

The key for me, was having a pre-nap and pre-bedtime routine. I did the same routine all the time. Then, as they get older... they are used to it already, and it really helps in preventing "protests" prior to going to sleep.

My boy, who is now 21 months old....STILL goes down for a nap at 9:00-9:30 in the morning, and in the afternoon at 2:30 or so. He naps for 2 hours each. Then at night, he does to bed at 8:00. I have done this with him since he was a baby...and throughout his various developmental "phases." He is so used to it, he gets tired at these times (his pattern, not mine), and he doesn't tantrum about it. He will even tell me when it is nap time, and goes about getting into his routine. Having a routine, for me, has thus been great!

Every child is different... go by your baby's pattern. I usually put my son down for nap, while he is still awake also, and he falls asleep on his own. So he's good that way.

Encourage your routine, if it works. Keep it up. No sense stir the pot and then have them get confused about it and then alter their sleep pattern. If what you have works, then great!
Most babies benefit from a routine...and just think down the road... if started now, you will more likely have a baby that is used to "napping".

*Sleep is important for them and their development. It's not just for Parents that they nap. It's for their development as well...cognitive and physical development.

My 5 year old even still naps, after she gets home from school. She likes it, and will even tell me "Mommy I'm going to nap now..."

Some babies will "force" themselves to keep awake, and then they get over-tired and fussy. Over-tired babies actually have a harder time falling asleep. Not all babies will sleep when they need to. Thus, for me, having a routine and keeping it the same everyday, has been very helpful in developing their sleep "habits." BUT... to get a routine stable... you need to keep it up... and don't vary it everyday. Keep it the same... keep it up... (I mean longer than just 1 week)...and OVER TIME... it will help, and the baby/child will get used to it.
I have seen this in my own kids. It worked for me.

They will have developmental "phases" that may cause temporary bumps in the road and they may not always go down...but still, keep up with the routine, the same nap time, everything....and after the "phase" passes, it will return to their regular sleep pattern. At least this is what I've seen with both my children.

You seem to be doing fine. This is just what I've done with my kids.

All the best,
~Susan

I think they are supposed to take a morning nap around 9 or 10 for about 1 1/2 hours then another around 12 or 1 for the same amount of time, and then if needed another afternoon nap around 4 for about 45 minutes or so...my son is 5 1/2 months and he can only go about 2 hours without a nap, so depending on when he wakes up from his last nap, I put him down about 2 hours later...I have tried the schedule, but he doesn't always cooperate :) I am trying to go with the flow a little at this point....

Hi K., I'm not sure a 6 month old needs to have a set schdule, unless she goes to daycare, from birth to one year their sleep patterns change, as long as she is getting the proper restfor you and her, i wouldn't worry to much. J.

Sounds like you are doing fine with her nap since she's already taking three naps a day, that's good!

My daughter will be 7 months in a week and a half and for the last 6 weeks, I have been getting her on a nap schedule. Now, this girl is on a routine. But she naps at around 9ish in the morning after nursing and cereal. Then she naps again around 2ish and she naps for a minimum of an hour and she's in bed by 8p.m. and usually gets up around 7ish. Well, since she's been teething alot more, she's been waking up more at night but usually falls asleep right away.

Keep up the good work!