What happens if my child just won’t nap at the recommended SweetSpot time?
You’re not doing anything wrong — really! Even with great predictions, sometimes babies just aren’t ready to sleep when we hope. Sleep isn’t just about being tired — it’s also influenced by circadian rhythm, routines, environment, and your child’s developmental stage. If your little one had a chance to nap but didn’t fall asleep (a “missed” nap), that’s okay. You might be wondering when to try again — here’s our suggestion:
- 2 – 3 months: Wait about 30 minutes and try again
- 4 – 5 months: Wait about 45 minutes and try again
- 6+ months: Wait about 60 minutes and try again (you can try twice max for this age)
If the missed nap wasn’t offered (for example you were out at a doctor’s appointment), the best option is to offer the nap as soon as you’re able. Don’t stress about the exact SweetSpot time — it’s meant to guide you, not pressure you.
If the missed nap was the last one before bedtime, it’s often better to shift to an earlier bedtime instead of squeezing in a late nap.
How long should I try to get my child to nap before I stop trying?
It's okay to take a break after trying for a while. Here's a guideline for how long to try:
- 2 – 3 months: About 30 minutes
- 4 – 5 months: About 45 minutes
- 6+ months: About 60 minutes
Sometimes babies need a break before winding down again. Don’t feel pressured to continue working on the nap if it’s clear the nap just isn’t happening.
Why isn’t the app updating my SweetSpot after we missed a nap?
If a nap was missed, SweetSpot can’t update until you log the next nap. This can make it feel unclear when to try again, but we’re hoping to improve this. In the meantime, use the guidance above to figure out the next best time based on your child’s age.
You’re doing great — really
Missing a nap doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Predicting baby sleep isn’t an exact science, and some days just go sideways. Our goal is to support you, not to make you feel stressed or judged. If SweetSpot stops feeling helpful, we want to know so we can improve it for you.
You and your baby are learning together — and there’s no one right way to do this. 💛