Cat Napping

Let’s talk about the dreaded cat nap… 

Many parents struggle with short naps — and today I want to walk you through some of the why behind cat napping and what you can gently do to support longer, more restorative sleeps.

✨ What is a cat nap?
A cat nap is a short sleep — often 15–30 minutes. For newborns this is completely normal and expected. But as your little one grows, we start looking for their ability to link sleep cycles and sleep for longer stretches.

🌙 The three main reasons babies cat nap:
• Sleep habits or environment
• Hunger
• Illness

Let’s break this down…

✨ Sleep environment matters
Yes — darkness supports melatonin (our sleepy hormone). But I don’t believe babies should only sleep in a pitch-black room. Life happens — holidays, outings, visiting friends. A dull, calm room with curtains or blinds drawn is often realistic and still supportive of sleep.

Sleeping in the busy lounge room can encourage cat napping. Imagine trying to sleep with lights on, TV going and people moving around — you’d wake more easily too. A lovely balance is having your baby sleep in their room during the day, door open, with normal household sounds continuing.

And remember — the cot should be boring. Mobiles or stimulating items above the cot can encourage waking when babies partially rouse between cycles.

✨ Understanding sleep cycles (REM & NREM)
Babies move between light (REM) and deep (NREM) sleep. REM is active, noisy and wiggly — you may see twitching, funny faces or little noises. At the end of this phase, babies often briefly stir.

This is where many cat naps begin.

Parents often think baby is awake and pick them up — but sometimes they were just transitioning into the next sleep cycle. If your baby isn’t distressed, give them a moment. They may resettle on their own.

If your little one falls asleep feeding or rocking, they may fully wake when the sleep environment changes. Supporting them to fall asleep in the cot can help them link cycles more easily over time.

✨ Temperature matters too
A baby who falls asleep on your chest but wakes quickly in the cot, or settles immediately when picked up, may be cold. A cold baby rarely sleeps well.

✨ Awake windows & timing
Too early = long wind-down then a short nap.
Too late = quick sleep but still only one cycle.
Most babies need around 20 minutes to wind down when timing is right.

P2B recommends a simple, consistent 10–15 minute wind-down for every sleep:
Nappy ➝ sleeping bag/swaddle ➝ book ➝ long cuddle ➝ into the cot.

Consistency is key. Changing routines frequently can confuse your little one — pick one approach and stick with it.

✨ Don’t forget feeding & health
A hungry baby will struggle to sleep long stretches. If feeds are poor or your baby isn’t thriving, seek support.
And when babies are unwell? Expect more cat naps. Offer extra cuddles and feeds — longer sleeps often return once they feel better.

Cat napping can feel frustrating, but understanding the “why” is the first step toward change

* The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Parents2b and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.