How to Encourage Crib Naps

Dec 29

(and Finally Move Away from Contact or On-the-Go Naps)

If your baby naps beautifully in your arms, the stroller, or the car—but the moment you try the crib they wake up after 20–30 minutes (or refuse altogether)—you are not alone. Crib naps are one of the most common struggles parents face, and they can feel especially discouraging when nighttime sleep is going well.

The good news? Crib naps are a skill your baby can learn!! It takes work and commitment, but with time and consistency, you can gently encourage longer, more consistent naps in the crib.

Let’s break it down.

Why Crib Naps Can Be Hard

The crib is still and flat (as it should be!)—very different from motion naps or contact naps. While those naps absolutely “count,” they don’t always allow babies to practice connecting sleep cycles independently. Crib naps help build that skill, which leads to longer and more predictable daytime sleep. So how can we get longer and more predictable naps?

1. Start With the First Nap of the Day

If you’re working on crib naps, begin with the first nap. This is when sleep pressure is strongest and your baby is least overtired, making it the easiest nap to practice in the crib. You can, of course, practice other naps in the crib as well, but definitely aim to get the first nap in the crib!

2. Watch Wake Windows Closely

Timing is everything when it comes to naps.

Too short → baby isn’t tired enough
Too long → baby is overtired and wired

Following age-appropriate wake windows helps ensure your baby goes into the crib ready for sleep—not fighting it. A well-timed nap dramatically increases the chances of a successful crib nap. We want to pair the knowledge of wake windows with watching for sleepy cues. While neither one is a fail-proof way to predict nap time, using those 2 together will help you learn more about your baby’s rhythms. For a complete wake window and schedule guide, check out my ULTIMATE SCHEDULE GUIDE

3. Create a Consistent Pre-Nap Routine

Babies thrive on routine and consistency! A short, predictable routine signals to your baby that sleep is coming.

This can be as simple as:

Diaper change
Sleep sack
quick song
White noise on

Consistency matters more than length. In fact, I preach a SIMPLE, SHORT, REPEATABLE routine is the best way to go! Doing the same steps, in the same order, before each nap helps your baby transition more easily to the crib.

4. Make the Sleep Environment Work for You

I recommend a dark room and using a sound machine! Those are 2 simple steps you can take to create a room conducive to sleep. A sound machine also provides a simple step in the routine to single to baby it’s time for nap. It can also help wit drown out other outside noise that. may wake baby. Not all baby’s are sensitive to light. If you find your baby is able to sleep well in a room with regular curtains and blinds, then you do not need to invest in black out curtains. If baby is struggling connecting sleep cycles and all other boxes are checked (i.e. #5 below!), you may want to try making the room darker.

5. Encourage Independent Sleep Skills

If your baby falls asleep in your arms, the car, or while feeding, they may wake after one sleep cycle (30–45 minutes) and need that same help again. This is called relying on a sleep prop to get to sleep and get back to sleep. Helping your baby fall asleep in the crib from fully awake—even if you’re still offering comfort from outside the crib—supports longer naps over time.

6. Practice giving them some time

For babies typically 5–6 months and older, giving them a bit of time to resettle after a short nap can help them learn to connect sleep cycles, especially if you are working on teaching them independent sleep skills when they initially fall asleep! If your baby wakes at 30–45 minutes, pause and give them a few minutes to see if they can fall back asleep before ending the nap. It is very normal for a baby to wake after 30-45 minutes due to the length of sleep cycles, so we want to aim to give them some time to connect sleep cycles and go back to sleep.

7. Be Flexible (Progress Over Perfection)

You don’t need every nap to be in the crib right away. It’s okay to:

Rescue a nap with a contact nap—especially if you notice baby is getting really overtired from short naps
Use the stroller or carrier occasionally
Prioritize one great crib nap per day

Consistency over time matters more than perfection in a single day. With that said, if you constantly rescue naps or use a stroller or contact nap, then baby won’t have an opportunity to work on crib naps—so it’s all about balance and your goals for your baby’s sleep.

8. Adjust After Short Naps

If a nap is short, you may need to shorten the next wake window by 15–30 minutes. Watch for sleepy cues.

9. Expect Developmental Ups and Downs

Illness, milestones, and nap transitions can temporarily disrupt crib naps. This doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it’s part of normal development. Stay consistent, supportive, and patient.

10. Practice, Patience, and Consistency!

Crib naps don’t happen overnight—but with the right foundation, they do happen. Encouraging crib naps is about setting your baby up for success with good timing, a consistent routine, and an environment that supports sleep. Everything worth doing takes practice, patience, and consistency, and crib naps are no different!!

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Sometimes a few small tweaks make all the difference. We are here to help!

You’re doing a great job—and your baby can learn to nap well in the crib. Please reach out if you need help!

Abby Sharpe