The 2 3 4 sleep rule is a baby nap schedule for older infants around 6 months and older.
The 2 3 4 sleep rule or baby nap schedule focuses on older infants around 6 months and older having two naps and setting windows 2 hours after waking for the first nap, 3 hours between the first nap, and then 4 hours from the end of the second nap until bedtime.
This 2 3 4 sleep rule and baby nap schedule is designed build sleep pressure in the baby for better nighttime sleep.
And it's also a guideline for gradually increasing the baby's awake time, although it needs adjusting to your baby's cue's, as some babies may need shorter or longer windows.
The way the 2 3 4 sleep schedule for baby's works is.
In the morning, the baby is awake for 2 hours after they wake up.
And from nap 1 to nap 2, baby is awake for 3 hours after the first nap ends.
Nap 2 to bedtime, the baby is awake for 4 hours after the second nap ends.
The purpose of the 2 3 4 sleep rule is to prevent overtiredness and build sufficient sleep pressure and tiredness for longer night sleep, by having the longer wake times as the day progresses.
The 2 3 4 sleep rule is best for babies that are transitioning to 2 naps, typically 6 months of age and older.
And the 2 3 4 sleep rule is also a starting point and not a rigid rule, and you adjust it based on your baby's sleepy cues, as some babies may need 2.5-3-3.5 or even 3-3-4 windows.