Daycare and Sleep: How to Maintain Healthy Sleep Habits

Starting daycare is a big transition for both parents and babies, and one of the biggest concerns families have is how it will impact sleep. Whether your baby is an independent sleeper or still learning, changes in environment, schedules, and stimulation levels can lead to disruptions. While you can’t control everything about your child’s daycare sleep situation, there are steps you can take to set them up for success!

1. Prioritize Nighttime Sleep to Offset Any Daytime Disruptions

Not all daycares can accommodate your baby’s ideal nap schedule, and that’s okay. The best way to protect overall sleep is to ensure your child is getting high-quality, consolidated nighttime sleep. This means keeping bedtime early—often earlier than you think—to make up for lost daytime sleep. If naps are short or skipped at daycare, shifting bedtime 30–60 minutes earlier can prevent overtiredness, which can lead to more night wakings and early morning wake-ups.

2. Align the Home and Daycare Sleep Environments as Much as Possible

Daycares vary widely in their sleep setups. Some offer dark, quiet nap rooms, while others expect babies to sleep in a shared space with lights on. If your daycare allows, bring in familiar sleep cues like a sleep sack, a pacifier (if used), or even a portable white noise machine. At home, you can mimic the daycare environment during naps, especially if your child struggles with the transition. If they sleep in a bright room at daycare, try cracking the door or letting in some natural light during naps at home. If they are not struggling, there is not need to change the sleep environment at home.

3. Advocate for Age-Appropriate Nap Schedules

Daycares often follow set nap times, which may not align with your baby’s ideal wake windows. If possible, talk to the staff about your baby’s sleep needs, especially if they are under 12 months. Many daycares are willing to accommodate flexible schedules for younger babies who still need multiple naps. If your baby is required to follow a structured schedule, plan for a short catnap on the way home (if needed) and adjust bedtime accordingly.

4. Keep Sleep Training Consistent at Home

If you’re in the process of sleep training, it’s natural to worry that daycare might derail progress. The good news is that babies are incredibly adaptable. Stay consistent with your approach at home—this means maintaining your usual bedtime routine, allowing your child to fall asleep independently, and responding to night wakings the same way you always do. Even if naps at daycare are inconsistent, reinforcing strong sleep habits at home will help maintain progress in the long run.

5. Give Your Baby Time to Adjust

It’s completely normal for sleep to be rocky during the first few weeks of daycare. Some babies sleep less due to the new environment, while others sleep more from the increased stimulation. Expect some temporary changes in night wakings, early mornings, or difficulty settling. Most babies adjust within 2–4 weeks. In the meantime, prioritize consistency at home, offer extra comfort if needed, and trust that their sleep will regulate as they get used to the new routine.

While daycare can introduce some sleep challenges, it doesn’t have to mean the end of good sleep habits. By protecting nighttime sleep, staying consistent at home, and working with your daycare provider when possible, your child can thrive both during the day and at night!