When do toddlers stop napping?

All babies need to nap, and some may need to nap more than others. As time passes, you’ll notice your baby napping less and less. In this blog, we’re answering the question, when do toddlers stop napping?

This blog includes:

• Why do babies need to nap?
• When do toddlers drop naps?
• What age to stop naps
• Signs that your toddler is ready to drop a nap
• Signs that your baby is tired and needs to nap
• What to do if your toddler won’t nap
• Building a sleep routine

Why do babies need to nap?

Babies need to nap as it helps them to develop and grow. Sleeping is essential for their health like it is for adults too.

Every baby is different. Some children may prefer having fewer naps for longer periods. In contrast, other children may prefer more frequent, shorter naps. You’ll be able to identify what your baby likes by their mood and development.

As a new parent, it’s normal to worry about your child. How much sleep they get might be something that you often think about. Generally, if your baby is developing properly and seems happy, they are likely getting enough sleep. If you are at all concerned, you should speak to a medical professional.

In your child’s early years, they’ll see a health visitor every so often. Sleep is something that you can talk to your health visitor about. The health visitor is there to check your baby’s development against the scale of where they should be.

When do toddlers drop naps?

As a newborn, your baby will likely sleep for more hours than they are awake. Newborns typically only have wake windows of around 45 minutes before it’s nap time again. Read our blog on wake windows by age.

When your baby gets older, you’ll notice them being able to stay awake for longer and develop their skills. This is such an exciting time! Your baby generally turns into a toddler after one year of age and before they start school.

At one year, your baby will likely still have two naps. They will need at least 11 hours of sleep per day. This includes nighttime sleep and naps during the day. They will likely have one morning nap and one afternoon nap. Some 1-year-olds may require up to 14 hours of sleep or even more.

At 18 months old, many parents decide to transition their babies to just one daytime nap per day. When your baby reaches two years old, they may maintain just one nap or even start having none. Most children stop napping altogether by the time they start school.

What age to stop naps

There is no right or wrong age to stop your baby from napping. It all depends on what works for you and them. Some babies will stop napping at around two years of age, while others may continue until they are three or four.

You might decide to try your baby with no naps and see how they get on. It’s worth trying this for a few days so you can see the most accurate results. Some babies may take well to no naps, and others may become overtired. Read our blog on an overtired newborn.

By testing how your child responds, you can see if they have outgrown their naps. Don’t worry if it doesn’t quite go to plan. Introduce the nap again and try again in a month or so. This is a learning experience for both you and your baby.

Signs that your toddler is ready to drop a nap

Knowing when your baby is ready to drop a nap can be tricky. Many parents choose the method of trial and error to identify when it’s the right time.

The right time to stop napping isn’t determined by age. Instead, it’s about assessing your child’s behaviour and tiredness levels to make a decision. Here are some signs that your toddler is ready to stop napping.

Difficulty falling asleep at night

Sometimes, babies can have trouble falling asleep at night time. Be aware that this doesn’t always occur as a result of needing to drop a nap. However, if you are noticing other signs too, it’s worth looking into.

If your baby has difficulty falling asleep at night, consider removing or shortening the last nap of the day. This will help them to feel more tired when it gets to bedtime. Find out more about your baby fighting sleep.

Struggling with daytime naps

Some babies simply start to struggle with napping. If this is happening regularly, it could be time to drop a nap. Monitor your baby’s mood during a nap transition to see if it is actually beneficial. Aim for a couple of no-nap days in the week and see how it affects night sleep.

Frequently waking up early

If your baby wakes up and is no longer tired, it’s unlikely that they’ll go back to sleep. In babies that are having too much sleep, this can mean waking up very early. If your baby starts to wake early, you could reduce their naps slowly to see if it helps.

Your baby may not be ready to stop napping completely, so instead, focus on less sleep. This can help your baby to fall asleep at bedtime.

Not showing signs of tiredness for daytime sleep

You know when your baby is tired, and if they aren’t showing you, then they probably aren’t. There could be various reasons for this. Your baby might continue with an activity happily and skip their nap.

Again, keep an eye on your baby’s mood when they skip nap time. If they handle it well for a short while, it may be a sign that it’s time to stop.

Signs that your baby is tired and needs to nap

The last thing you want is an overtired toddler or baby. With that in mind, it’s important to look out for their sleep cues and let them nap when needed.

• Toddler becomes grumpy
• Increased clinginess
• Becoming bored
• Rubbing eyes
• Becoming fussy

If you notice these signs when dropping a nap, it might be a good idea to introduce a shorter afternoon nap again. This can help to improve your baby’s mood.

Don’t forget that there’s no pressure on when your baby should stop napping altogether. As a parent, it’s up to you to work with your child and identify the best steps for their sleep schedule.

What to do if your toddler won’t nap

If your child is skipping naps due to not being tired, it’s not the end of the world. It may be just that particular day, or they may be ready to stop napping.

Instead of struggling to get them to sleep, why not give them some time to enjoy quiet activities? Reading a book in a quiet environment or even working on a small jigsaw can help them to relax. This will help them to develop their fine motor skills. Replacing nap time with quiet time can help your baby fall asleep easily for nighttime sleep.

Building a sleep routine

With regressions and growing up, it can feel like your child’s sleep is constantly changing, and it probably is. Here are some ways to build a great sleep routine.

• Bath time, followed by pyjamas
• Feeding
• Reading a book, singing a song or allowing the baby to play quietly
• Cuddle
• Early bedtime

During the bedtime routine, be sure to keep noise to a minimum. This will help your child relax and teach them that quiet time is bedtime. A bedtime routine can definitely help your baby to fall asleep and get a good night time sleep.

So, there’s no exact age when your toddler needs to stop napping. It’s all about what works best for them. Don’t put pressure on a sleep routine – remember that every baby is different.

We hope this blog has been helpful and answered the question, when do toddlers stop napping? Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s sleep.