Sleep requirements vary from one child to another, and they change as the child grows. This dynamic is true for naps, too.

Newborn infants will sleep and wake through the day and night. At 3 or 4 months of age, babies will need several naps during the day — totaling about five hours of daytime sleep.

Six-month-olds usually need morning and afternoon naps. Each one usually lasts an hour or two. A 1-year-old may continue this pattern, though the naps may shorten.

Usually well before they are 2, children will stop napping in the morning. Until at least 3, they will still need their afternoon nap, and some children will nap until they are 5.

Sometimes children need help adjusting their nap times. Whenever you’re trying to change your child’s sleep schedule, plan on doing so gradually. Change nap times by only about 15 minutes (earlier or later) each day. Little by little, your child’s body clock will adjust.

Infants who wake up very early in the morning and then nap later in the morning may be saving up nighttime sleep for the day. You will want to help your child stay awake for longer in the morning, pushing his nap back to a later hour. This approach should help him stop waking up so early.

Children between age 1 and 2 may have trouble sleeping at night if they continue to nap in the morning. If so, it can be helpful to make the morning nap later and the afternoon nap earlier. Eventually the morning nap will disappear, and the afternoon nap will be enough.

A child who has trouble falling asleep at night or who wakes up during the night may be overtired. This child might sleep better at night if he had a daytime nap. A child who sleeps well but won’t go to bed at a reasonable time may need to nap earlier in the afternoon, or he may be ready to stop napping.

When children have outgrown their afternoon naps, they will still need some regular times in their daily rhythm to slow down. After lunch, a child who no longer naps can still benefit from a quiet time to “read” or play alone with toys such as puzzles that demand little physical activity. (Parents benefit, too!)

Although your child may resist, you can talk about this rest period positively as his time to recharge and get ready for an exciting afternoon.

TO HELP A CHILD NAP

• Strange as it may seem, a well-rested child usually has an easier time falling asleep than a tired one. Be sure that bedtimes are regular, and early enough.

• Never use a nap as a threat or a punishment. Any child will resist a nap when it is presented in a negative way.

• Prepare the child in advance for nap time. When lunch begins, remind him that nap time is coming soon. But talk about it positively, as a time to relax, read a story and rest.

• Remove the child from all activities. Use his bedroom or a quiet place, with curtains shut. If he thinks something exciting is going on at the same time somewhere else, an active child is bound to want to be there instead. TV and videos are likely to excite the child.

• Use a child’s bedtime rituals — a cuddle, a story, a lullaby. Encourage him to comfort himself with his lovey or his thumb.

Questions or comments should be addressed to Dr. T. Berry Brazelton and Dr. Joshua Sparrow, care of The New York Times Syndicate, 620 Eighth Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Questions may also be sent by email to:

nytsyn-families@nytimes.com