One thing that I have realized since becoming a parent is that naptime is as important for parents as it is for babies. If baby doesn’t take a nap then baby is not the only one that will be cranky.

Unfortunately getting baby to take a nap is not always as easy as it sounds and the term “sleeping like a baby” in reference to a good night’s sleep is a misnomer.

If you are having trouble getting your baby to take a decent nap, here are some parenting tips to take into consideration:

• Watch for patterns in your baby’s sleeping habits during the day. Try to put her down for a nap around the same time everyday. About a half hour before this naptime arrives, cut back on activity so baby will become drowsy and ready for a nap. Do quiet activities like reading a book, or listening to classical music. Have some quiet mommy and me time. Nurse or feed your baby if you find that it helps your child fall asleep. If your baby becomes gassy after feedings then feed the baby a bit before naptime so her tummy will have time to settle before she falls asleep.
• If your baby doesn’t seem tired at naptime, put him down in his crib anyway. Some babies will play on their own for a few minutes before they fall asleep. It is wonderful if baby learns to fall asleep on his own. You want to encourage this behavior as much as possible so he does not become dependent on you to help him to fall asleep.
• Not all babies have this skill though and they will cry when you put them down for a nap. Do not respond to their crying immediately. Before putting baby down for a nap make sure all of their other needs are met - they have been fed, burped, their diapers have been changed, etc. Then put them in their crib for a nap. If they cry, ignore it for a short period of time. Set a kitchen timer if you have to for 5 minutes. Many babies will fall asleep within this timeframe. If baby doesn’t stop crying then go to his room and pat his back for a quick minute - just enough to provide assurance to baby. Then leave the room for another 5 minutes. After a few tries, if this does not work, make sure that baby is indeed sleepy and in need of a nap or that there is not something else that is bothering him.

Another thing to keep in mind is the total amount of sleep that your baby is getting each day. As your baby gets older she will require less sleep. If she goes to bed very early and sleeps for a long stretch at night, she may not take long naps during the day.

Remember, on of the most important parenting tips is to treat your baby with lots of patience. His sleep patterns will change slightly from day to day. If you remain calm and flexible, your child will learn to adapt more easily.