The 4 to 3 Nap Transition
Updated
Quick answer: Most babies drop from 4 naps to 3 between about 4 and 5 months. Signs include fighting the last nap, shorter naps, and a bedtime that keeps drifting later. To make the switch, stretch wake windows by 10–15 minutes and drop the late-afternoon catnap, with an earlier bedtime for a week or two.
Signs your baby is ready
- The fourth nap turns into a battle or doesn’t happen.
- Naps get shorter as the day goes on.
- Bedtime keeps creeping past 8 pm.
- Your baby is happy awake for 1¾–2 hours or more.
How to make the switch
- Stretch each wake window by 10–15 minutes over a few days.
- Aim for the third nap to end by about 5 pm.
- Drop the fourth nap and move bedtime 15–30 minutes earlier for a week or two.
- Expect some mixed days. On rough days, a short fourth catnap is fine.
Sample schedules: before and after
Based on a 7:00 am wake-up.
4 naps (4 months)
| Time | Event | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake up | |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Nap 1 | 1h (after 1h 30m awake) |
| 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Nap 2 | 1h (after 1h 45m awake) |
| 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Nap 3 | 45m (after 1h 45m awake) |
| 4:45 pm – 5:15 pm | Nap 4 | 30m (after 2h awake) |
| 7:15 pm | Bedtime | after 2h awake |
3 naps (4 months)
| Time | Event | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Wake up | |
| 8:45 am – 10:00 am | Nap 1 | 1h 15m (after 1h 45m awake) |
| 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Nap 2 | 1h 15m (after 2h awake) |
| 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm | Nap 3 | 45m (after 2h 15m awake) |
| 6:30 pm | Bedtime | after 2h 15m awake |
Common questions
How long does the 4 to 3 nap transition take?
Usually 1–2 weeks. Some babies switch in a few days.
Can I go back to 4 naps?
Yes. If your baby seems very overtired, add the catnap back for a few days and try again later.