I'm a pediatric sleep doctor, author, and in my day job I run the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center. I've been writing about pediatric sleep issues for tired parents since 2012. Join my newsletter to get the best information about sleep problems (and solutions) in children.
Nap Struggles, Science, and Sanity (Part 1)
|
Hi everyone, Why do some toddlers nap like champs while others fight every rest? And how can parents tell when it’s time to drop a nap—or hang on to one a little longer? In this week’s episode of The Sleep Edit, Arielle and I kick off our Napping Spectacular (Part 1) by digging into the science of naps:
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s naps are too short, too long, or simply chaotic, this episode will help you see the big picture of 24-hour sleep—and give you a few concrete strategies to improve daytime rest. Honestly, I wish I had known this information when my kids were little. My oldest didn't nap for more than 30 minutes at a time until he was nine months old. 🎧 Listen to the episode: 👉 Listen on my website. Here you can find links to all the major podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Overcast, etc. 🎥 Watch on YouTube (with scientific graphics): 👉 Watch on YouTube. This is good for visual learners and in this episode we actually pull in some graphics from the scientific literature. This is Part 1—next time we’ll be tackling real-world nap cases, from the 3-to-2 transition to what happens when naps disappear entirely. Sleep well, Craig PS if you find this useful, please share with your friends! It really helps |
Craig Canapari MD
I'm a pediatric sleep doctor, author, and in my day job I run the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center. I've been writing about pediatric sleep issues for tired parents since 2012. Join my newsletter to get the best information about sleep problems (and solutions) in children.
SUBJECT LINE: Quick update from last week: I sent you a quick note about holiday travel sleep survival and asked for your biggest worries. You responded—and wow, did you respond. Many of you shared your specific situations. Room-sharing chaos. Jet lag fears. The dreaded “driving home at bedtime” scenario. Disney trip panic. I read every single question and took representative examples and turned it into a comprehensive blog post. Your questions became the guide. Read the complete Holiday...
Here’s the truth about holiday travel and sleep: most of what you’re worrying about doesn’t matter. I get it. You’ve worked hard on your child’s sleep schedule. Maybe you just finished sleep training. Maybe you finally got consistent bedtimes working. And now you’re about to spend 3 days at Grandma’s house sharing a queen sized bed with a dog, a toddler, and a 14 month old who demands to exit the Pack N Play at 3am. You’re expecting disaster. But here’s what I’ve learned after 15 years of...
Hi everyone, Nap transitions are one of the most confusing parts of early childhood sleep. One week your baby is taking three predictable naps… and the next week everything is chaos. Naps get shorter, bedtimes get later, and suddenly you’re Googling “is my child dropping a nap??” at 3 AM. This week on The Sleep Edit, Arielle and I break down the messy reality of nap transitions — from 3→2 naps, 2→1 nap, and eventually the big one: dropping naps entirely. Using real cases, practical sleep...