Sleep By Kathy

If you’ve wondered whether your baby is going through a sleep regression OR getting ready to drop a nap, read below ⬇️

Nap dropping typically involves gradually consolidating sleep into fewer naps while total sleep stays decent, whereas a regression usually means fighting sleep across the board with increased night wakings and overtiredness.

Reality though is more nuanced than a strict either/or distinction

A baby might be:
👉 Legitimately ready to drop a nap (nap dropping) but also going through a developmental leap that causes some extra night wakings or crankiness temporarily

👉 Fighting naps because they’re overstimulated or undertired that day, not because of a fixed regression or readiness to drop

👉Dropping a nap while still needing better sleep consolidation at night

Watch patterns over 1-2 weeks rather than single days. If total sleep and daytime mood improve after a few days of fighting one nap, that’s likely nap dropping. If things get progressively worse across multiple naps and nights over several days, that suggests regression

✨ Follow for more baby + toddler sleep support

Funny how the moment you say it’s time for bed, toddlers will remember that they’re thirsty/hungry and suddenly very busy with all the things they ignored all day. Having the right routines and a steady rhythm will help take the fight out of it! When toddlers know exactly what comes next they’ll be less likely to stall. This is because the routine will feel safe and predictable ✨
Follow to make sleep feel less complicated

When I go over a sleep plan with a family, teething and sleep regressions are often topics that naturally come up during our time together 🦷 💤

Both can cause disrupted nights, cranky days, and a lot of second guessing. But the good news is that neither means progress has to stop. With the right guidance, families can continue building healthy sleep habits while also supporting their baby through these phases ✨

When I go over sleep plans with families, we talk about how to balance soothing strategies with healthy sleep habits so parents know what to do in the middle of the night without second guessing

💌 If teething/sleep regressions has left you wondering what’s normal (and what’s not), send me a DM. I’d love to help!

One of the biggest sleep questions I get is: “How many naps should my baby be taking, and for how long?” ⏰

Daytime sleep needs shift a lot in the first three years, and knowing how many hours your baby needs + typical number of naps at each stage can make planning your baby’s day much easier.

Here’s a quick guide you can use as your little one grows:

0-3 months ➡️ 4-5 naps
4-6 months ➡️ 3-4 naps
7-12 months ➡️ 2 naps
13-18 months ➡️ 1-2 naps
19-24 months ➡️ 1 nap
2-3 years ➡️1 nap

💤 Remember: Think of these guidelines as a framework. Babies aren’t robots and some days will look different, and that’s okay! What matters most is that your baby is generally well rested, alert & happy during wake times, and bedtime feels manageable. We want everyone to have a great day and not stress TOO much about sticking to exact wake windows or following the schedule down to the minute.

👉 Save this for reference and follow for more baby & toddler sleep tips.

It’s cold, flu, and RSV season 🤧

RSV can look just like a cold with symptoms of runny nose, cough, fever. For babies it can become much more serious. RSV is the #1 cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants under 1.

Most kids recover at home with rest, suctioning, fluids, and comfort.

🚨 But call your pediatrician right away if your baby has:

• Trouble breathing (fast breathing, wheezing, pulling in chest/neck muscles)
• Pauses in breathing (apnea)
• Poor feeding or signs of dehydration
• Blue lips or fingertips

💡 Prevention tips:
✨ Wash hands often (soap + water is best)
✨ Keep sick contacts away from baby (even “just a little cold”
✨ Limit big gatherings during peak RSV months

Good health and good sleep go hand in hand. Protecting their bodies means protecting their rest.