I have done months of research on babies and sleep and I'll share a few highlights with you that will shed light on your naptime issues.

According to sleep research, the length and quality of naps affect nighttime sleep -- a nap under one hour in length does not really count. (Since the sleep cycle is not complete, it may just make your baby fussier!) A nap too late in the day will have a negative affect on nighttime sleep.

Babies differ in their needs for nap length and number of naps, but generally: Newborn to 4 or 5 months -- two to four naps a day; 4 or 5 months old to 12 months old -- two naps a day, changing to one nap a day between age 1 and 2.

The best time for naps are:

• If three naps: midmorning/early afternoon/early evening
• If two naps: midmorning/early afternoon
• If one nap only: early afternoon

Watch your baby's signals. Naps should happen immediately when your baby shows signs of becoming tired. If you wait too long your baby becomes OVER-tired and thus is so "wired up" and she cannot sleep. Watch for these signs: a lull in activity, quieting down, rubbing eyes or looking "glazed." If she is fussing you have missed her early signals and want to observe her closer to pick up her "getting tired" signals. This timing is very, very important! If you catch your baby at the moment when she is ready for sleep she will accept her nap so much easier.

Create a simple but specific nap routine. Follow it the same way every day. For a fussy napper like your daughter, this may need to include some relaxing motion like rocking or a time in the swing.

Infants like your daughter sometimes nap better in the middle of the household activity. The gentle hum of voices and other noises help her know that the people she loves are nearby. If you prefer your daughter nap in her room, try playing a tape of soft music or "white noise" (such as bird sounds or waterfalls).

If your little one regularly wakes up after only 20 minutes of sleep, stay close by and as soon as she begins to stir use your regular technique for getting her back to sleep. Once she gets used to a longer nap she'll do so without your help.

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