Nap problems are one of the most common reasons parents reach out to a baby sleep consultant. Whether your baby only naps for 30 minutes, refuses to nap unless held, or has suddenly started fighting every nap — there is almost always a clear, identifiable cause.
Common causes of nap problems:
- Overtiredness from wake windows that are too long
- Undertiredness from wake windows that are too short
- A sleep association that makes independent settling difficult
- A schedule that no longer matches your baby's developmental stage
Fixing naps is not about forcing a rigid timetable — it is about understanding what your baby actually needs at their current stage. Daytime sleep directly affects night sleep. A baby who naps poorly is more likely to wake frequently at night and wake early in the morning. Getting naps right is one of the highest-impact changes you can make.
Angelica Videla is a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant based in London. Her approach is gentle — no cry-it-out, no rigid programmes. The articles below cover the most common nap problems and what actually works, based on evidence and the families she works with across the UK, Europe, US, and Australia.
Baby Naps Only 30 Minutes — Why Short Naps Happen & How to Fix Them
Why your baby only naps for 30 minutes and gentle, evidence-based strategies to help them connect sleep cycles and nap longer.
Read article →Why Does My Baby Only Nap for 30 Minutes?
Short naps are one of the most common baby sleep problems. Here is why they happen and what you can do about them gently.
Read article →Contact Naps — Are They a Problem?
Contact naps are not bad. But when they stop feeling sustainable, here is how to think about them and what to do.
Read article →How to Move from Contact Naps to Cot Naps
Moving from contact naps to cot naps does not have to be hard. Here is a gentle, step-by-step approach that works.
Read article →Nap Transitions — When Your Baby's Day Falls Apart
Nap transitions cause chaos for a reason. Here is what is happening and how to manage the change without losing your mind.
Read article →If early mornings (or any other sleep issue) have been going on for a while, find out whether sleep consulting is worth it.