At the end of the day look at your last nap and determine if your baby is not going to make it to bedtime within his typical wakeful window. If not you have a few options:
- You can try to squeeze in an extra nap. This nap does not need to be long, even a short 10 minute cat nap can help, however it should end at a time so it doesn’t interfere with your baby’s night sleep or circadian rhythm:
- 3-4 month olds = 5pm (5:30pm at the latest)
- 5 and 6 month olds = 4:30 (5pm at the latest)
- You can put baby to bed earlier – even up to 1 hour earlier to avoid him getting over-tired. Most babies sleep longer when put to bed before getting overtired so you are more likely to have your baby sleep in later when putting him down early.