Why you should avoid a longer morning nap

Longer morning naps in babies can sometimes throw off their overall sleep routine and impact their development. Here’s why they’re worth avoiding:

1. Disrupts Day-Night Sleep Patterns

Long morning naps may lead to shorter naps later in the day, leaving babies overtired by bedtime. This can cause difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.

2. Limits Daytime Wakefulness

Babies need wakeful periods during the day to stimulate their cognitive and physical development. Oversleeping in the morning may shorten these active periods.

3. Reduces Sleep Pressure for Nighttime

If a baby gets too much sleep in the morning, it can reduce their “sleep pressure” (the natural drive to sleep), making it harder for them to fall asleep at night.

4. Throws Off Natural Circadian Rhythm

Babies thrive on a consistent routine that aligns with natural light and dark cycles. A long morning nap can skew their internal clock, making it harder to establish healthy rhythms.

5. Potential for Early Morning Waking

If a baby sleeps excessively in the morning, they may wake earlier in the morning thinking it’s part of their normal schedule, leaving parents and babies alike struggling with an earlier day.

Shorter, consistent morning naps paired with a midday “anchor nap” are often better for babies’ overall sleep quality.