Which Nap to Train First? Your Step-by-Step Guide To Baby's Naps

Which Nap to Train First? Your Step-by-Step Guide To Baby's Naps

Author: Sally Woods and Bec Maher October 14, 2025 Duration: 34:59

Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comWondering where to even start with nap training? Sally and Bec break down their strategic approach to teaching naps without derailing your hard-won nights. Instead of tackling everything at once, they explain exactly which nap to train first (spoiler: it's not the first one), why staggering the process protects your progress, and what to do when things go sideways.In this episode, they walk through the specific order for 3-nap babies versus 2-nap babies, how to cap naps strategically, when to rescue versus push through, and why nap three stays fully assisted until the very end.What You'll Learn:• Which nap to train first for 3-nap babies (and why starting with nap 2 protects your nights)• The rescue plan when naps don't go to plan• Why you cap the nap even if baby falls back asleep in the last 10 minutes• How to stagger nap training so it feels sustainable, not overwhelming• Which nap to start with for 2-nap babies (9-12 months)• Why trimming nap 1 gives you better success with nap 2• The contingency plans when baby doesn't link sleep cycles• Why nap 3 stays fully assisted and why that's totally fineChapters:00:00 Intro: No niceties, straight to nap training02:15 Starting with nap 2 for 3-nap babies08:41 The short-long-short structure explained12:29 The thoughtfulness behind the plan16:16 Why the 3-nap age is ideal for sleep training19:59 Capping naps and protecting your schedule24:37 Where to start with 2-nap babies28:44 Why we stagger instead of all at once33:19 The Holy Grail: synchronized nap schedules🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.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: 82

Nap Trapped
Podcast Episodes
Sleep Detectives: Room Sharing, Night Resets & When to Sleep Train [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comRoom sharing with siblings? Resettling overnight without feeding? Tried sleep training but still stuck? This week Sally & Bec tackle yo…
Troubleshooting Nap Transitions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:23
Struggling with nap transitions? Get free bonus resources:www.naptrappedpodcast.comMade the schedule change but your baby is only taking short naps? You're not alone. Sally and Bec break down the real troubleshooting tha…
Bridging Naps for Early Rising & Short Naps: When & How [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:47
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comWondering if bridging naps are the answer to your baby's early rising or short afternoon naps? Sally & Bec break down exactly when thes…
The Extinction Burst: What To Do When Good Sleep Training Goes Wobbly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:33
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comNight three of sleep training and suddenly everything's gone pear-shaped? Before you panic or give up, Sally & Bec explain the extincti…
Contact Naps: Sleep Tool or Junk Sleep? Sally & Bec Settle the Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:23
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comContact naps divide the sleep world—but Sally & Bec are here to settle the debate once and for all. Spoiler: they're team contact nap.I…
Sleep Detectives Q&A: 18-Month Regression, Toddler Naps & Crying in Cot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comIn this week’s Sleep Detectives, Sally & Bec tackle three big questions from parents:1️⃣ What’s really behind the so-called 18-month re…