Mid-Day Catnap

[Jenifer]

So, my 5 month daughter is starting to take her catnap mid-day.  Is this the cue that she should be moving to 2 naps?

Here's her routine:

7:30 wake & eat
9:30 nap (1.5 - 2 hours)
11:30 eat
1:45 catnap (30 - 45 minutes)
3:30 eat
4:15 nap (I wake her at 5:45 so that she's tired for bedtime)
7:00 eat
8:00 bedtime (sleeps until morning)
10:45 dreamfeed

She still seems to be getting tired around the 2 hour mark - could probably push it out with some stimulating activity.

So, do I keep the routine like this for awhile or should I try and move her to 2 naps (and 3 hours of A time)?

[Mom to M&M]

If this is working for you and her, I'd keep it! There's really no rule that the catnap has to be the last nap of the day. Unless this starts affecting her night sleep or causing any other problems, roll with it. The only thing you may want to do is push A times to 2.25 hours since she's 5 months.

[Jenifer]

Thanks Marisa Mom.

When do they normally go to 2 naps a day?

[Mom to M&M]

Average is 7-9 months. My DD did it around 7.5 months I think. Generally once they can consistently and comfortably stay awake for 3 hours and take two naps of 1-2 hours each (usually one longer than the other).