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
Surviving the 4-Month Sleep Regression | Baby Sleep Self-Settling Secrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYour dreamy 12-week-old was logging eight-hour stretches… then BAM! night-wakings every 90 minutes, cat-naps on repeat, and a dummy you…
Ditch the Dummy? Settle Flailing Arms? Your Questions, Solved - Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
Want subscriber-only baby sleep tools? Join the Nap Trapped newsletter → www.naptrappedpodcast.comIn this week’s Sleep Detectives, Sally and Bec go deep on real listener questions — from ditching the dummy to stretching…
How Long Should Baby Take to Fall Asleep? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:32
Want our FREE Pre-Sleep Training Checklist? Grab it here: www.naptrappedpodcast.comHow long should it take your baby to drift off? 5 minutes? 15? More? Sally and Bec break down what’s normal when it comes to settling tim…
Solids, Bottles & Wake Times - Sleep Detectives Q&A [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:51
Want our FREE Pre-Sleep Training Checklist?Download it here: www.naptrappedpodcast.comThis week, Sally and Bec tackle your real-life sleep questions in another Sleep Detectives hot seat. From how to balance solids and mi…
Surviving the Two-Year Sleep Regression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:02
Want our FREE Pre-Sleep Training Checklist?For show subscribers hereThe two-year sleep regression is brutal — but dropping the nap isn’t the fix. In this episode, Sally and Bec break down exactly why this tricky stage ha…
Sleep Detectives: Fix Early Wakes, Split Nights & Cot Battles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:50
Get subscriber-only content + free bonus resources from this episode:www.naptrappedpodcast.comIn this Sleep Detectives case file, Sally and Bec investigate some of the trickiest sleep curveballs: early waking that won’t…
Are We “Gentle”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:56
Want our Find-Your-Fit Sleep Method Guide? Free for subscribers here.What does gentle really mean in baby sleep? Is it helpful, is it marketing… or does it sometimes shame parents who do things differently? Sally and Bec…
Fast Five (Q&A): Night Feeds, Dummy Drama & When to Sleep Train [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:32
Get tools & bonus resources at:www.naptrappedpodcast.comAnother round of real parent questions, answered fast(ish). Sally and Bec tackle common (and slightly spicy) topics like: - Is two night feeds normal at 7 months? -…