Babies need a lot of sleep.  Their bodies are growing, their brains are growing, and they are learning new things at an alarming rate.  All of this means they get tired quickly.  During the first few weeks of life, even months for some babies, it will seem like your baby is sleeping all the time.  They pretty do with a few awake times for eating and a little activity time, but other than that they sleep.  As your baby gets a little older and more active you will notice that those awake times become longer and more frequent.  Eventually your baby will get into a pattern of taking 1-4 naps per day.  The number of naps and the length of those naps will totally depend on your baby.  Each baby is different.

I'm lucky, my daughter is a pretty good sleeper.  She sleeps through the night 9-11 hours and takes 2 naps during the day that range any where from 40 minutes to 2 hours (or more) in length.  She is very much a routine baby.  She is very fussy if I don't stick with her regular schedule.  I know this about her so I accommodate her as best I can.  Her schedule is very predictable so it is easy to arrange the day's schedule around her naps and bed time. 

For many parents struggling with sleep problems, figuring out and sticking with a schedule is key to winning this battle.  Some babies are "free-spirits" and will nap whenever, where ever.  But for most they like a routine and regular schedule along with the comfort of their own bed.  Figuring out your baby's napping pattern is key to developing a schedule you can work with and around.  It just boils down to knowing your baby, and figuring out your baby's schedule.

Try not to stress too much about your baby's naps.  As long as your baby is getting enough sleep throughout the day and the night and doesn't have any problems resulting from lack of sleep than there isn't anything to worry about.  Don't expect your baby to be like someone else's baby or to fit into the mold described in a book.  Just like adults are all different when it comes to sleep, so are babies.  

Some tricks for making naptime work:

• Stick with a regular routine.  If you know your baby gets fussy for a nap at 9am every morning, don't plan a trip to the mall at that time, or a doctor's appointment, etc. 
• If your baby only naps well in their own bed, try to be home at naptime.
• A baby who naps well during the day usually sleeps well at night.  An over-tired baby just doesn't sleep well.  Make naps part of your daily schedule, and recognize their importance.

Naps are important for your baby's development.  If you are concerned about your baby's napping take to your pediatrician.