Did/do you cap naps?
When our girl was on 2 naps we often capped the naps (mostly the first) so that she could fit both naps in and she slept really well at night.
For the first few months at nursery it wasn't an issue and then she started doing 3 hour plus naps at nursery and then missing her second nap and ruining her night sleep. However, they told us they can't cap naps and it's bad for their development and they sleep the amount they need. This does seem to contradict what many of the sleep books say, as manyr recommend capping to protect nights.
Kinda just curious to know what others have done? We typically don't cap now she's on one nap.
The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.
Learn more about our guidelines.
The way nursery views it and messages parents about how they can't do it makes me feel like a terrible parent for doing it!
I’ve been capping the first nap at 20-30min and the second nap at 2 hours. It just works for us and she sleeps overnight 7.30-7. Buuuut sleep has turned to shit since starting nursery. Ours also isn’t “allowed” to wake them up so her naps are all over the place and not consistent at all, and she’s lost the ability to self settle 🫠 I guess some of it is due to separation anxiety but I think the change in routine has also shifted everything
Unfortunately for me I don't need to cap naps. My boys had x2 30 minute naps today 🤣 but theirs no way I'd let him have a 3 hour nap I'd definitely cap it so that it didn't mess up bedtime. It rubbish what they're saying about not being able to wake them up as it's bad for their development because you're the one that ends up with a grouchy baby not them
I have to decide between a late bedtime or dealing with a grumpy gremlin if I cap her last nap!
Yes, it is often recommended to cap a 1-year-old’s nap to ensure they get around 2–3.5 hours of total daytime sleep
Capping naps helps maintain a consistent bedtime (usually between 7:00–8:00 PM) and prevents split nights or early rising. If your child is on one nap, consider limiting it to
Total Daily Sleep: At 12 months, aim for 2–2.5 hours total, or up to 3.5 hours total for two-nap schedules.
Why Cap? If your child is taking 3+ hour naps and fighting bedtime or waking up in the night, they are likely getting too much daytime sleep.
How to Cap: If a nap is too long, gently wake your child. Some, like Midnight Mama Sleep Consulting, recommend keeping naps at 2-2.5 hours during the transition to one nap.
Signs to Cap: If you see signs of undertiredness, such as split nights or early rising, you may need to reduce total nap time by 15 minutes every 3-5 days.
While some parents find that capping does not affect night sleep, it is generally considered a useful tool to maintain a balanced sleep schedule.
My nursery caps naps if we ask them to
Always been baby led and let my babies have whatever sleep they need.
Download the Peanut App
