Baby Sleeps At Night But Won’t Nap During The Day
“My 8-week-old baby sleeps well at night but won’t nap during the day. He’ll sleep in my arms but wakes as soon as I put him down. At night he’ll happily sleep in his bassinet. Why?”
This is one of the most common questions new parents ask.
The good news is that it’s extremely common, particularly between 6 and 12 weeks of age.
Many babies sleep well overnight but struggle with daytime naps because daytime sleep is simply harder. Sleep pressure is lower, the world is brighter and more stimulating, and your baby is becoming increasingly aware of their surroundings.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to help your baby become more comfortable sleeping during the day.
Why babies fight daytime naps
As babies move beyond the newborn stage, they become much more interested in the world around them.
Light, noise, movement and stimulation all compete with sleep, making daytime naps more difficult than overnight sleep.
One of the biggest reasons babies refuse naps, however, is overtiredness.
An overtired baby often looks wide awake, alert or unsettled when, in reality, they’ve simply missed their ideal window for sleep.
Watch your baby’s awake windows
Around 8 weeks of age, most babies comfortably manage around 60–90 minutes of awake time, including feeding.
Rather than waiting until your baby is obviously tired, aim to begin your sleep routine before they become overtired.
Learning your baby’s natural rhythm is often one of the biggest factors in improving daytime sleep.
Keep naps and bedtime consistent
Babies thrive on predictability.
The more similar naps become to bedtime, the easier it is for your baby to recognise that sleep is coming.
Simple cues might include:
- A dark room
- The same sleep sack
- A short book
- The same lullaby
- A familiar sleep phrase
These repeated cues gradually become signals that it’s time to relax and sleep.
Create a sleep-friendly environment
From around six weeks of age, darkness becomes increasingly important for daytime sleep.
Closing the blinds reduces visual stimulation and supports your baby’s natural sleep hormones, helping daytime naps feel more like night-time sleep.
Encourage independent settling gently
At around 8 weeks, babies don’t need formal sleep training.
However, they are beginning to develop the ability to relax into sleep without relying on feeding, rocking or constant movement every time.
If your baby is calm and sleepy, try placing them into their bassinet awake while remaining nearby.
Some grizzling is perfectly normal as babies learn a new way of falling asleep. Your calm presence and reassurance help them feel secure while giving them the opportunity to discover they are capable of settling themselves.
Five practical tips for better daytime naps
If your baby sleeps well at night but struggles during the day, try these simple strategies:
- Offer naps before your baby becomes overtired.
- Keep the room dark and calm.
- Follow the same short sleep routine before every nap.
- Feed because your baby is hungry—not simply to make them fall asleep.
- Stay nearby and offer calm reassurance while your baby settles instead of rushing to intervene immediately.
Consistency throughout the day is usually far more effective than constantly changing techniques.
Healthy sleep habits begin early
Many babies who are given consistent opportunities to settle in their own sleep space from an early age develop healthy sleep habits naturally over time.
The goal isn’t to force sleep. It’s to create an environment where your baby feels safe, knows what to expect, and has regular opportunities to relax into sleep independently.
Patience and consistency are almost always more effective than searching for the next new technique.
This is where some parents seek professional support
Understanding why your baby won’t nap during the day is one thing. Helping them settle to sleep for their naps is another.
That’s where real-time support makes the difference.
Learn more about working with me
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FIFO Overnight Baby Sleep Consultant Raquel Tara
About Raquel Tara – Baby Sleep Consultant
Raquel Tara is one of Australia’s most experienced baby sleep consultants, providing in-home overnight sleep coaching for babies aged 0–12 months. She works with families across Australia, helping parents establish healthy sleep habits while they finally get the rest they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my baby sleep at night but not during the day?
Daytime sleep is lighter than overnight sleep. Babies are more easily distracted by light, noise and stimulation, and they become overtired quickly if awake for too long.
Is it normal for an 8-week-old to only nap in my arms?
Yes. Many babies this age prefer contact naps because they feel secure. With consistency, many also learn to sleep comfortably in their bassinet during the day.
Should I let my baby get overtired to encourage longer naps?
No. Overtired babies often find it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Watching awake windows is usually much more effective.
How can I help my baby nap in their bassinet?
Keep naps consistent with bedtime by using the same sleep space, a dark room, a short bedtime routine and predictable sleep cues. Give your baby opportunities to settle in their bassinet while you remain nearby.
When should I seek help?
If your baby is consistently refusing naps, only sleeping in your arms, waking immediately after being transferred, or everyone in the family is becoming exhausted, personalised support can make the process much easier.
Ready to wake up as yourself again?
Raquel Tara can take the burden off your shoulders with overnight sleep support so you can wake up as yourself again.
Raquel sleep coaches your baby overnight, in your home, so you get to sleep from night 1.
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