Stabilize nights before tackling naps
Give night training at least 5-7 days to settle before starting nap training. Trying both simultaneously while severely sleep-deprived increases the chance of giving up on both. Get the wins at night first.
GUIDE
Nap Training vs. Only Night Training
Night training typically shows faster results because sleep drive is stronger at night. Nap training is harder and can take longer. Many sleep consultants recommend starting with nights and adding naps later — but doing both at once can work too.
Sleep training naps is a different beast than sleep training nights. Understanding why helps you decide whether to tackle them together or separately.
Log naps and night sleep separately
Track each to see progress
“Essentially, you're getting your baby to realize that they can put themselves to sleep or self-soothe. It's a development skill that all babies need to learn.”
Dr. Noah Schwartz, MD, Pediatrician, Cleveland ClinicWhy Nights Are Easier to Train
Sleep training at night works with biology. By bedtime, a baby has accumulated a full day of sleep pressure (adenosine buildup in the brain). Circadian rhythm is signaling that it's time for sleep. Melatonin is flowing. Everything in the baby's system is pushing toward sleep — the baby just needs to learn to get there without the old sleep associations.
During naps, the biological picture is different. Sleep pressure is lower, especially for the afternoon nap. Circadian alerting signals are active during the day, working against the drive to sleep. Environmental cues (light, household noise, activity) signal wakefulness, not sleep. A baby who can self-settle beautifully at 7 PM with a full tank of sleep pressure may genuinely struggle to do the same thing at 1 PM with half the drive.
This is why sleep consultants see night training succeed in 3-5 nights while nap training can take 1-2 weeks. It's not that the method is wrong — it's that the biological conditions are less favorable during the day. Our guide to sleep training methods covers the major approaches you can use for either context.
Both Together vs. Nights Only
| Aspect | Nap + Night Training | Night Training Only |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of results | Slower overall — nap training takes longer than night training | Faster initial results — nights respond more quickly |
| Consistency | Same rules all day — clear expectations for baby | Different rules for naps vs. nights — some babies handle this fine, others get confused |
| Parent stress | More intense — training is happening all day long | Less overwhelming — you have breaks during the day |
| Sleep pressure working for you | High at night, low during day — mixed results | Only training when sleep pressure is highest — works in your favor |
| Nap quality during training | Naps may be short and fragmented while baby learns | Naps can stay as-is (contact naps, motion naps) while nights improve |
| Total time to full results | May reach the finish line faster since both are addressed at once | Takes longer overall — naps are tackled separately after nights |
Speed of results
Nap + Night TrainingSlower overall — nap training takes longer than night training
Night Training OnlyFaster initial results — nights respond more quickly
Consistency
Nap + Night TrainingSame rules all day — clear expectations for baby
Night Training OnlyDifferent rules for naps vs. nights — some babies handle this fine, others get confused
Parent stress
Nap + Night TrainingMore intense — training is happening all day long
Night Training OnlyLess overwhelming — you have breaks during the day
Sleep pressure working for you
Nap + Night TrainingHigh at night, low during day — mixed results
Night Training OnlyOnly training when sleep pressure is highest — works in your favor
Nap quality during training
Nap + Night TrainingNaps may be short and fragmented while baby learns
Night Training OnlyNaps can stay as-is (contact naps, motion naps) while nights improve
Total time to full results
Nap + Night TrainingMay reach the finish line faster since both are addressed at once
Night Training OnlyTakes longer overall — naps are tackled separately after nights
Most sleep consultants recommend starting with nights. Some families prefer addressing everything at once.
Training Both Advantages
- Consistent expectations — baby learns the same skills for all sleep
- May reach full sleep independence faster since both are addressed simultaneously
- No mixed messages about when baby is expected to self-settle
- Some babies do better with a clean break from all old sleep associations
- Gets the hard work over with in one push rather than two phases
This approach works best for families who want consistency and a shorter total timeline.
Training Both Challenges
- More intense for parents — there's no break from training during the day
- Nap training failures can undermine night training confidence
- Short naps during training can lead to overtiredness, making nights worse
- Higher stress for both parent and baby when there's no 'easy' sleep left
The intensity is the biggest concern — have a support plan if you go this route.
Night-Only Training Advantages
- Night training is faster and shows results quickly, boosting parent confidence
- Daytime remains low-pressure — contact naps and motion naps are fine while nights consolidate
- Reduced overtiredness risk — baby gets good naps however they can during night training
- Less overwhelming for parents who are already exhausted
- Night skills often transfer naturally to naps over time
Most sleep consultants recommend this approach for its lower stress and faster early wins.
Night-Only Training Challenges
- Different expectations for naps and nights may confuse some babies
- Still need to address nap training eventually if nap associations are strong
- Assisted naps can maintain habits that make later nap training harder
- Total timeline to full sleep independence is longer
The mixed-message concern is real for some babies but most adapt to different contexts fine.
Track nap and night progress separately.
Log each nap and night sleep session in Tinylog. See which is improving, how long nap training takes compared to nights, and whether overtiredness is affecting either.
A Practical Phased Approach
The approach most sleep consultants recommend looks like this: Week 1 — focus entirely on night sleep training. Use your chosen method (Ferber, chair method, extinction, whatever you're comfortable with) at bedtime and for night wakings. During the day, do whatever gets your baby a decent nap — contact naps, stroller, carrier, swing. Prioritize daytime sleep quantity over method.
Week 2 — once nights are stable (baby is falling asleep independently and wake-ups have decreased), start applying the same approach to the first nap of the day. Knowing your baby's age-appropriate wake windows helps you time that first nap correctly. Keep the afternoon nap flexible. Week 3 — extend the training to the afternoon nap.
This phased approach avoids the "everything is terrible all at once" feeling and gives both parent and baby early wins that build confidence for the harder nap training ahead. A solid bedtime routine also supports the process by giving baby clear cues that sleep is coming.
Tips That Apply Either Way
The first nap is the easiest to train
Sleep pressure is highest for the first nap of the day. If you're starting nap training, begin with the morning nap and do whatever works for the afternoon nap. Once the morning nap is solid, address the afternoon nap.
Short naps are not always a training failure
Babies under 5-6 months often take short naps (30-45 minutes) regardless of training. This is developmental, not behavioral. If your baby wakes after one sleep cycle and seems happy, that may be all they needed for that nap.
Related Guides
- Sleep Training Methods — Overview of all major approaches
- Baby Nap Schedule — How many naps your baby needs and when
- Nap Transitions and Sleep Regressions — When nap changes are developmental
Sources
- Mindell, J. A., et al. (2006). "Behavioral treatment of bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and young children." Sleep, 29(10), 1263-1276.
- Gradisar, M., et al. (2016). "Behavioral interventions for infant sleep problems." Pediatrics, 137(6).
- Galland, B. C., et al. (2012). "Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: a systematic review." Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 213-222.
- Henderson, J. M., et al. (2010). "Sleeping through the night: the consolidation of self-regulated sleep across the first year of life." Pediatrics, 126(5), e1081-e1087.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your baby.
Get this comparison in your inbox.
We'll send you this guide so you can plan your sleep training approach.
Track nap and night progress separately.
Download Tinylog — log naps and nighttime sleep to see which responds to training first.