The short answer
Your baby might sleep an hour in the morning, 40 minutes after lunch, and seem sleepy again late in the day. Another day, two longer naps may be enough.
In this guide · 12 sections
Keep in mind
- Your baby might sleep an hour in the morning, 40 minutes after lunch, and seem sleepy again late in the day. Another day, two longer naps may be enough. Between seven and nine months, look beyond the number of naps to their length and how your baby feels.
- At seven months, some babies still need a brief late-afternoon nap in addition to morning and midday sleep. Other seven-month-olds take two longer naps. Neither pattern alone measures development.
- Having two or three naps by itself is not a medical problem. If your baby seems persistently unrested, is feeding poorly, or is unusually less alert, discuss this with a paediatrician.
Why does the number of naps change?
Your baby might sleep an hour in the morning, 40 minutes after lunch, and seem sleepy again late in the day. Another day, two longer naps may be enough. Between seven and nine months, look beyond the number of naps to their length and how your baby feels.
NHS-linked Healthier Together guidance says babies aged six to twelve months commonly have two naps. That does not mean every seven-month-old must drop a third nap. Shorter naps may leave room for another rest.
Are naps the same at seven, eight, and nine months?
At seven months, some babies still need a brief late-afternoon nap in addition to morning and midday sleep. Other seven-month-olds take two longer naps. Neither pattern alone measures development.
By eight or nine months, two naps may become more established, but there is no single day when a third nap must disappear. If sleep patterns change back and forth, observe duration and mood over several days.
How can you recognise the transition to two naps?
Longer first and second naps, comfortable wakefulness until evening, and repeatedly declining a third nap may suggest that two naps are becoming a better fit. These are clues, not rules.
After a short midday nap, your baby may need additional rest that afternoon. One different day does not mean a transition has failed; consider total rest and signs of tiredness.
How long should a nap be?
Naps do not have to last the same amount of time. Healthier Together notes that naps from six to twelve months can range from about twenty minutes to several hours. Two fixed 90-minute naps are not a requirement.
The CDC recommends 12–16 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including naps, for infants aged four to twelve months. This is general guidance, not a stopwatch target for every day. Consider patterns across days and how your baby acts when awake.
How can you recognise tiredness cues?
Yawning, rubbing eyes, losing interest in toys, or seeking more closeness can signal tiredness. Yet fussiness may also be due to hunger, discomfort, or too much stimulation.
A baby still engaged in play may not fall asleep simply because the schedule says so. When tiredness is clear, a quieter setting may help. Use both your baby’s cues and the clock, without treating either as absolute.
What if a third nap delays bedtime?
If a late nap ends near bedtime, your baby may not feel sleepy at the usual hour. Notice the timing rather than eliminating all naps or deliberately keeping your baby awake for long periods.
Look at several days instead of one late bedtime. Illness, travel, and active days can alter sleep temporarily; let the following day’s plan respond to your baby’s needs.
What can you do today?
For two or three days, note morning wake time, nap starts, approximate durations, and whether your baby seems rested afterward. The point is to understand a rhythm, not to grade sleep performance.
As nap time approaches, lower stimulation, check the nappy, and use a familiar lullaby. You do not need a rigid separate rulebook for two-nap and three-nap days.
How do you make daytime sleep safe?
Use safe sleep practices for naps as well as nights: place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface without pillows, loose blankets, or soft toys. Do not use an inclined seat or swing as a bed.
If your baby falls asleep in a car seat or another sitting device, move them to a safe flat sleep surface as soon as practical. Do not elevate the head of the cot in an attempt to lengthen naps.
When should you seek help?
Having two or three naps by itself is not a medical problem. If your baby seems persistently unrested, is feeding poorly, or is unusually less alert, discuss this with a paediatrician.
Difficulty waking, marked breathing difficulty, blue discoloration, or severely reduced responsiveness require urgent evaluation. Do not interpret these as ordinary changes in nap patterns.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Having two or three naps by itself is not a medical problem. If your baby seems persistently unrested, is feeding poorly, or is unusually less alert, discuss this with a paediatrician.
- Difficulty waking, marked breathing difficulty, blue discoloration, or severely reduced responsiveness require urgent evaluation. Do not interpret these as ordinary changes in nap patterns.
Sources used for this guide
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine — Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Getting Your Baby to Sleep
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — About Sleep (2024)
- NHS — Your Baby's Sleep Patterns
- NHS – Healthier Together — Sleep
- NHS — Helping your baby to sleep
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
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