Nap Training 6 Month Old: A Simple Plan for 6–9 Month Babies
If nap training feels scary, you’re not alone.
Most moms don’t want strict schedules and pressure. You just want your baby to nap longer than 30 minutes so you can breathe, eat, and maybe sit down for five minutes without rushing.
I’m Jenna, a Pretoria photographer, and I talk to moms all the time who say: “Nights are hard… but naps are worse.” If you’re here because nap training 6 month old keeps popping up in your searches, I’m guessing you’re tired of guessing.
This is a simple plan. Nothing fancy. Just practical steps that work in real homes.
Nap training 6 month old: what’s normal at 6–9 months (so you don’t panic)
At this age, many babies:
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wake early from naps (catnapping)
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fight the second nap (or try to drop it too early)
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get overtired easily
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need help linking sleep cycles
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sleep beautifully one day… and terribly the next
Your baby isn’t being difficult. Their sleep is still developing. But you can help naps become more predictable over time.
A gentle goal is: one solid nap (even if the others are messy) and less fighting at nap time.
Before you start: 3 things that matter more than any method
Before you pick a “nap training method,” check these first. This is where most naps go wrong.
1) Timing
If baby goes down too late, they fight sleep. If baby goes down too early, they treat it like a short rest.
2) Sleep space
Dark room helps. White noise can help. A cool room helps. Even small changes can make naps longer.
3) A tiny routine
Babies learn patterns through repetition. A 2–4 minute routine is enough.
If these three are shaky, even the best plan feels like it’s not working.
Step 1: Choose ONE nap to train first (don’t fix everything at once)
Please don’t try to “fix” the whole day in one go. That’s when moms burn out.
Start with the first nap of the day. It’s usually the easiest because sleep pressure is highest. When that nap improves, the rest of the day often gets better too.
If you want a second goal, add it only after the first nap is more stable.
Step 2: Create a tiny nap routine (2–4 minutes)
This is part of infant nap training. It tells baby: “Now we sleep.”
Keep it the same every time:
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close curtains
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sleep sack
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quick cuddle
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same phrase: “Nap time now.”
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into the cot
That’s it. No long rocking session. No big event. Simple and repeatable is the win.
Step 3: Watch timing (this is where most nap training fails)
Most nap fights happen because baby goes down too late and gets overtired.
Signs you’re too late:
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baby rubs eyes and gets frantic
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baby arches and cries hard
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baby yawns but can’t settle
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baby looks exhausted… but gets more wired
A simple fix is moving the nap 10–15 minutes earlier for a few days and watching what happens. Small timing changes can create big nap changes.
Step 4: Pick your settling style and stick to it for 7 days
This is where you choose how you’ll respond when baby protests.
You don’t need the “perfect” choice. You need a choice you can repeat calmly.
Here are gentle options:
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pat + shush in the cot
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hand on chest while baby settles
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pick up, calm, put down (repeat)
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rock to drowsy, then cot
If you want something more structured, this is where ferber nap training can fit — because it gives you clear steps.
Ferber nap training: check-ins that stay calm
With Ferber-style nap training, you put baby down and do timed check-ins (short, calm, boring). You’re showing baby you’re still there, but you’re not turning it into play.
What a check-in can look like (10–20 seconds):
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keep lights low
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keep your voice soft
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one phrase: “It’s nap time.”
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gentle pat (if that helps)
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then you leave again
If check-ins make your baby more upset, that’s not you doing it wrong. Some babies get stimulated by seeing you. In that case, a more “hands-on in the cot” method can work better.
Step 5: What to do when baby wakes after 30–45 minutes
This is the part that breaks moms. Short naps feel personal (they’re not).
Try this simple “pause and support” plan:
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Pause 1–2 minutes (some babies resettle)
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If baby cries, offer calm support (pat/shush/hand on chest)
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If baby is fully awake, try 10–15 minutes to resettle
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If it doesn’t work, end the nap and move on
The goal is not perfection. The goal is teaching baby’s body that naps can continue.
Crib hour nap training (what it is, and when it’s helpful)
You might see “crib hour nap training” online. It usually means you give baby a full chance to fall asleep and/or resettle before you call the nap “done.”
A gentle way to use this idea is:
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commit to a full nap window (example: up to 60 minutes total)
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if baby wakes at 30 minutes, you give them a calm chance to resettle
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you keep it boring and consistent
This is not about leaving baby upset for ages. It’s about giving baby a predictable opportunity to practise linking sleep cycles.
If your baby is very sensitive, you can shorten the window. You’re the mom. You choose what feels okay.
Step 6: Use a “nap rescue” when needed (and don’t feel guilty)
Some days you just need your baby to sleep. You’re allowed to survive.
A nap rescue can be:
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a contact nap
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a pram nap
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a car nap
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feeding to sleep once for sanity
Doing this sometimes does not “ruin” nap training. It keeps you functioning. And a functioning mom helps baby sleep better too.
A simple rule: practise one nap, rescue the rest if you need to.
When to pause nap training (because life happens)
Pause the plan if:
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baby is sick
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teething pain is intense
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travel has thrown everything off
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you’re so exhausted you can’t be consistent
Pause, reset, and start again when things feel calmer. This is not a failure. This is real life.
Nap training 6 month old: when to get baby sleep help
If you’ve tried gentle nap training for about 2 weeks and nothing changes (or everyone is crying all day), you might need a more tailored plan.
A sleep consultant can help you:
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adjust wake windows
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troubleshoot short naps
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reduce overtired cycles
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look at night waking patterns too
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build a plan that fits your baby’s temperament
sleep trianing in south africa
For more tips and booking info, explore my Cake Smash Photography page:
If you’re in Pretoria and naps are breaking you, save this plan and try it for a week. Small steps, one nap at a time. And when baby is around 10–11 months, message me early to book your 1-year cake smash date while you still have options.
