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Naps are important for your child's healthy mental and physical growth. A daily nap refreshes a child so that she can maintain her energy, focus, and ability to learn for the rest of the day. Studies show that children who nap are more flexible and adaptable, have longer attention spans, and are less fussy than those who don't nap.

Does your child need a nap?

Here are signs that your child would benefit from a daily nap:

• Wakes up happy, but gets whiny and cranky as the day progresses
• Has patience early in the day but is easily aggravated later on
• Cries more easily in the afternoon and evening than in the morning
• Has an afternoon or evening slump, but then gets a second wind
• Yawns, rubs eyes, or fusses while getting ready for bed
• Often falls asleep in the car or when watching a movie

How much naptime does your child need???

Children differ in their sleep needs, but what follows is a general guide that applies to most of them. Even if your child's sleep hours add up to the right amount, his behavior tells you more than any chart could. When in doubt – always try for a nap, since even some quiet time can help a child feel more refreshed.

Average hours of daytime and nighttime sleep

Newborns

• Newborns sleep 16 - 18 hours daily, spread over 6 - 7 sleep periods.

3 months

• 3 naps for a total of 5 – 6 naptime hours
• 10 – 11 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 15 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

6 months

• 2 naps for a total of 3 – 4 naptime hours
• 10 - 11 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 14 – 15 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

9 months

• 2 naps for a total of 2 1/2 - 4 naptime hours
• 11 - 12 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 14 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

12 months

• 1 – 2 naps for a total of 2 – 3 naptime hours
• 11 1/2 – 12 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 13 1/2 – 14 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

18 months

• 1 – 2 naps for a total of 2 – 3 naptime hours
• 11 3/4 - 12 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 13 – 14 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

2 years

• 1 nap for a total of 1 – 2 1/2 naptime hours
• 11 – 12 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 13 – 13 1/2 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

2 1/2 years

• 1 nap for a total of 1 1/2 - 2 naptime hours
• 11 – 11 1/2 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 13 – 13 1/2 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

3 years

• 1 – 1 1/2 naps for a total of 1 naptime hours
• 11 – 11 1/2 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 12 – 13 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

4 years

• 0 - 1 naps for a total of 0 -1 naptime hours
• 11 – 11 1/2 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 11 – 12 1/2 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

5-6 years

• 0 - 1 naps for a total of 0 - 1 naptime hours
• 11 nighttime sleep hours^* for a total of 11 – 12 hours of nighttime and daytime sleep

^*These averages don't signify unbroken stretches of sleep since night waking is normal.

© Elizabeth Pantley, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers (McGraw-Hill)