As a new parent, one of the many things you'll hear from well-meaning friends, family members, and even experts is the importance of a good nap for your baby. It's true that infants need ample sleep for their development, and naps play a crucial role in ensuring they get the rest they require. However, the length of these naps can sometimes become a source of concern and stress for caregivers. In this blog post, we're going to delve into cat naps, why they might not be as big of an issue as you think, and how they often cause more frustration for caregivers than for their little ones.

Understanding Infant Sleep

First, let's take a closer look at infant sleep patterns. Newborns and infants sleep differently than adults. Their sleep cycles are shorter, lasting only 40-60 minutes, compared to the 90-120 minutes of adults. This shorter sleep cycle means that it's completely normal for babies to wake more frequently than adults. Further, some infants don’t need a full sleep cycle for each nap. Some infants are perfectly content with a nap as short as 25-35 minutes.

baby sleeping in dad's arms, swaddled newborn, help my baby only takes short naps

Why Short Naps Aren't Always a Problem

Restorative Sleep: Short naps can provide restorative sleep for babies. All humans experience sleep pressure that builds throughout the day. It’s that thing that makes you feel tired enough to actually go to sleep at night. Most adults have a large enough pressure tank that they can wait to release some pressure, ie sleep, until bedtime. Babies need to release the pressure more frequently by napping. Naps are intended to just take the edge off, they don’t need to be a specific length to be restorative. If a baby is getting the right amount of sleep in total throughout the day and night, short naps might be all they need to recharge and remain alert and content.

Signal of Well-Being: Short naps aren't necessarily a problem if your baby is generally happy, energetic, and ready to play throughout the day. This indicates that your little one got the rest they needed during that nap, even if it was brief. It's important to focus on your baby's mood and overall well-being rather than the duration of each individual nap.

The Parental Perspective

While short naps might not be problematic for babies, they can be incredibly frustrating for caregivers. These brief moments of respite might not provide parents with the time they need to recharge, get things done, or take a much-needed break.

If your baby is a chronic cat napper you might feel like you never have time for yourself and you may even experience sleep anxiety. There is often an expectation that parents can get all of the household chores done, rest, and have alone time during naps. But, if your baby takes short naps, that’s not realistic. Try to re-set your expectations. Rather than waiting for your baby to sleep to do the chores, bring baby along. Baby wear or set them up on their play mat while you fold laundry, do the dishes, etc. Maybe even ask your partner (if you have one) to take on one or two of the chores.

If you’re in need of rest, consider a contact nap. You’ll get a break from being “on” and this might even have the added benefit of extending your baby’s nap. Allowing your baby to sleep in your arms or alongside you in bed intentionally set up for safe bedsharing is an excellent way for both of you to rest.

Constantly worrying about the duration of your baby's naps can lead to unnecessary stress for caregivers. It's important to remember that babies have different sleep needs, and what's most crucial is their overall well-being. You can’t force a baby who naturally takes short naps to take longer naps, but you can choose to change your mindset around sleep. Trust that your baby will get the sleep they need and trust that you will know when they aren’t getting what they need.

Baby takes short naps no matter what I do! She wakes up grumpy but is otherwise content and happy during the daytime. — What is your cat napper’s demeanor throughout the day? Are they clearly overtired and grumpy? Or are they are generally content?

In the grand scheme of things, short infant naps aren't necessarily a problem. They are completely normal for some babies. Instead of obsessing over the length of each nap, parents should focus on their baby's overall sleep quality and well-being. If your baby wakes up from a short nap content, happy, and full of energy, then there's no need to worry. Short naps can be more of a challenge for caregivers, but with flexibility and a bit of problem solving, caregivers can adapt. Remember, infant sleep is not linear, and each baby is unique; what works for one may not work for another.