Ask the Experts: Babies and their sleeping habits

What is the recommended nap time for a baby?

A baby of six months generally likes two to three naps a day. At nine to 12 months, most babies are down to two naps a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. And by 18 months, most children give up their morning nap altogether, but continue to snooze in the afternoon. They'll continue with this pattern until three or four years old. All children are different, but this is a good rule of thumb.

Most nurseries negotiate with parents about sleep time, but generally children sleep for up to two hours, although some settings will let them sleep for less and others up to three hours. Parents have mixed views on napping. Some like children to have regimented naps whether the child is tired or not, and some want to prevent naps fearing they will be up all night.

However, it's not fair to keep a tired child from sleeping or make a child who is not tired lie on a bed wide awake. Small children need a daytime nap to help them learn, develop their brains and, according to research, aid memory retention as well.

June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation

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