Sleep Detectives: 3-Year Olds, Early Wakes & Nap Transitions

Sleep Detectives: 3-Year Olds, Early Wakes & Nap Transitions

Author: Sally Woods and Bec Maher November 6, 2025 Duration: 44:40

Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou've been sending questions and Sally and Bec are answering them all. This week's Sleep Detectives covers everything from sleep training older toddlers to fixing stubborn 5:30am wakes to figuring out if your baby actually needs medical tests. If you've been stuck on when to drop a nap or how to handle a baby who treats their cot like a playground, this one's packed with practical fixes.Sally and Bec tackle seven different parent questions with their usual mix of evidence and humor. They explain why extinction bursts happen with toddlers (not just babies), how to tell if early rising is a schedule problem or a behavior problem, and when iron or B12 tests are actually worth pursuing. Plus the definitive answer on when to drop to one nap and why your 7-month-old probably still needs three naps even if everyone says otherwise.What You'll Learn:• How to sleep train a 3-year-old (yes, it's still possible)• Why your toddler's extinction burst is different from a baby's• The fix for 10-month-olds standing in the cot during naps• How to treat 5:30am wakes like overnight wakings (delay, delay, delay)• When Sally and Bec refer families for iron or B12 testing• Why your 7-month-old on 2 naps probably needs 3 naps instead• The exact wake windows for 20-month-olds on one nap• When to actually drop to one nap (spoiler: later than you think)Chapters:00:00 Intro and welcome back01:27 Q1: Sleep training a 3-year-old who needs parents to settle05:52 Extinction bursts in toddlers vs babies09:12 Q2: 10-month-old standing in cot and refusing nap 213:32 How to handle new skills (sitting, standing) at nap time14:13 Q3: 7-month-old waking at 5:30am every morning18:55 Treating early rising as overnight wakings19:22 Q4: When to seek medical investigations (iron, B12, etc.)24:26 What Sally and Bec look for in consultations28:42 Q5: 7-month-old on 2 naps but needs 4-hourly feeds33:04 Why this baby needs to go back to 3 naps35:15 Q6: Wake windows for 20-month-old39:56 Bedtime fading technique for older children41:02 Q7: When to drop to one nap (15-18 months)44:06 Wrap-up and outro🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDJoin sleep experts Sally Woods and Bec Maher as they tackle real parent sleep struggles with warmth, science, and zero BS. Nap Trapped makes baby sleep less mysterious and way more manageable.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com


📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/

https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts


Ever found yourself stuck on the couch, scrolling in the quiet, while your little one finally sleeps? You're not alone, and that's exactly where Nap Trapped finds its groove. Hosted by Australian sleep consultants Sally Woods of The Sleep Concierge and Bec Maher from The Sleep Centre, this podcast meets you in that exhausted, sometimes isolating space. It’s a direct conversation between two experts who are also mums, blending solid, evidence-based strategies with the real-world chaos of family life. They break down the 'why' behind restless nights and short naps, moving beyond rigid rules to offer adaptable, practical solutions that actually fit your day. The tone is all solidarity and zero judgment, recognising that every family's sleep journey is different. You'll hear honest stories, debunk common myths, and get actionable advice that aims to bring more rest to your household, not just your baby. Tune into Nap Trapped for a genuinely helpful mix of professional insight and relatable commiseration, all delivered with a warm, Aussie sensibility. It's the kind of podcast you listen to while you're, well, nap trapped, and finish feeling equipped and understood.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

Nap Trapped
Podcast Episodes
What Is Sleep Training, Really? With That Sleep Doc (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:06
We made it to 100 episodes and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate. Sally's heart was beating the whole time 'cause she's that much of a fangirl.Our guest is the one and only Dr Sujay Kansagra, known to so man…
Sleep Detectives: Your Baby Sleep Q’s Answered - Ep 99 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
We're back in the Sleep Detectives hot seat answering your real baby sleep questions — bottles, naps, toddler boundaries, split nights, daycare schedules and a very important Fiji trip. Subscribe and never miss an episod…
The 3-to-2 Nap Drop - 9 Month Old Case Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:29
Is the two-nap schedule wrecking your nine-month-old's sleep — or was something already brewing before you made the drop? This week we work through a real DM case study: a nine-month-old who moved to two naps and promptl…
Should Mum or Dad Do The Sleep Training? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:24
Which parent should be the one doing the settling at bedtime? Can you tag team? What happens if you tap out mid-session? Sally and Bec get into all of it — and their answer might surprise you.Subscribe to the Nap Trapped…
Sleep Detectives: Early Rising, Night Weaning & Toddler Bedtime [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
Subscribe and never miss an episode: www.naptrappedpodcast.comSleepy Ds are back. This week Sally and Bec put on their detective hats for four real listener questions — and as always, they love a side quest.From a 14-mon…
5 Things Worth The Money (To Us) | Ep 94 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
Sally and Bec step away from baby sleep talk to share the five things they genuinely believe are worth the money — from kitchen appliances to travel. No affiliate codes, no sponsors (yet), just honest opinions from two t…
Sleep Detectives: Jet lag, night feeds and naps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:34
Sally and Bec are back in the hot seat answering your real-life baby sleep questions live and unscripted. From managing jet lag with an eleven-month-old to knowing when to drop a night feed, trimming nap one, tackling tw…
Snooze Member Masterclass: Small Changes, Big Sleep Wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:39
What if you didn't need a big sleep training plan to see real results? In this Snooze Masterclass, Sally and Bec break down a real-life message from a family member whose 11-week-old is now sleeping 11 hours overnight —…
Sleep Detectives: False starts, night weaning, nap caps and dummies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:06
Sleep Detectives is back! Sally and Bec answer your real baby sleep questions — false starts, night weaning, nap caps, dummy habits and more. Subscribe and get better sleep support at www.naptrappedpodcast.comWhat You'll…