4 to 3 Nap Transition
Most babies drop from 4 naps to 3 between 3 and 5 months, often around the time of the 4 month sleep regression. The fourth nap usually goes first: it gets refused, or it pushes bedtime later than 8 pm. Wake windows stretch to about 1¾–2½ hours to make the switch work.
- Usually happens
- 3–5 months
- Naps
- 4 → 3
- Wake windows after
- 2–2¾ hours
Reviewed by Pediatric sleep consultant (TBC) · Updated 2026-09-25
Plan a 3-nap day
Next nap
9:00 am
after 2 h awake · typical 2–2¾ hours
See the whole day
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 9:00 am Nap 1 · until 10:10 am
- 12:25 pm Nap 2 · until 1:35 pm
- 4:05 pm Nap 3 · until 4:45 pm
- 7:30 pm Bedtime
Get a reminder before 9:00 am. The Wake Windows app pings you when the window is closing and re-plans the day when naps run short.
When do babies drop to 3 naps?
Most babies are ready for the 4 to 3 nap transition at 3–5 months. Age is only a guide: watch for the signs below, and wait until you have seen them most days for a week or two.
Signs your baby is ready
- The late-afternoon catnap is refused or takes ages to happen.
- Bedtime is drifting past 8 pm because of the fourth nap.
- Your baby is comfortably handling wake windows of 1¾ hours or more.
- Naps are lengthening past 45 minutes.
How to make the switch
- Stretch each wake window by 10–15 minutes over a few days.
- Cap the fourth nap at 20–30 minutes before dropping it completely.
- Bring bedtime earlier, as early as 6:30 pm, while your baby adjusts.
- On days with short naps, offer the fourth nap again. Transitions are rarely a straight line.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the fourth nap because naps are short. Short naps often mean a baby still needs more sleep opportunities.
- Keeping bedtime late after dropping a nap, which leads to overtiredness and night waking.
Before and after
Sample schedules for a 7 am wake-up
Before: 4 naps
Typical at 3 months · wake windows 75–120 min
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 8:15 am Nap 1 · until 9:25 am
- 10:50 am Nap 2 · until 12:00 pm
- 1:40 pm Nap 3 · until 2:50 pm
- 4:40 pm Nap 4 · until 5:20 pm
- 7:20 pm Bedtime
After: 3 naps
Typical at 5 months · wake windows 2–2¾ hours
- 7:00 am Morning wake-up
- 9:00 am Nap 1 · until 10:10 am
- 12:25 pm Nap 2 · until 1:35 pm
- 4:05 pm Nap 3 · until 4:45 pm
- 7:30 pm Bedtime
During the switch, move bedtime 30–60 minutes earlier than the "after" schedule until your baby adjusts.
4 to 3 Nap Transition questions
When do babies drop to 3 naps?
Usually between 3 and 5 months.
How long does the 4 to 3 nap transition take?
Most babies adjust in 1 to 2 weeks.
What does a 3 nap schedule look like?
For a 7 am wake-up: nap 1 around 9 am, nap 2 around 12:30 pm, a short third nap around 4 pm and bedtime around 7:30 pm.
Should I wake my baby from the third nap?
If it runs past about 5 pm, waking them helps protect bedtime.