How the nap calculator works

Baby Nap Planner plans a day of naps from typical wake windows and nap lengths for each age.

The method

• 4 months and older: each age has a set of wake windows that lengthen through the day, plus typical nap lengths. Where babies are commonly transitioning (for example 3 → 2 naps), you can pick the number of naps.
• Under 4 months: naps repeat at a mid-range wake window until the usual bedtime range for that age is reached. The last nap may be a short catnap.
• Logged naps: when you log a real nap, everything after it is re-planned from that time. For babies 4 months and older, a nap under 45 minutes shortens the next wake window by 15 minutes.
• Bedtime check: if the plan lands outside the usual bedtime range for the age, the calculator says so and suggests what to adjust.

Sources

• Total sleep recommendations: Paruthi et al., American Academy of Sleep Medicine consensus statement (2016) and the National Sleep Foundation.
• Safe sleep: NHS, The Lullaby Trust, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).
• Wake windows and nap lengths are typical ranges commonly used by parents and sleep educators. There is no single official standard for them, so treat them as a starting point.

Not medical advice

Every child is different. If your baby is unusually sleepy, hard to wake, feeding poorly, or you’re worried about their sleep, contact your health visitor, pediatrician or doctor.