Is It Time for Your Toddler to Say Goodbye to Naps?
You know that day is on the horizon and moving ever closer. The day when your toddler stops napping and that little slice of downtime for you disappears for good. But must it truly be that way? Before you resign yourself to mourning the loss of naptime, read on!
Before we roll up our sleeves and jump into this, allow me to share a personal experience with one of my own brood.
You see, I vividly remember the days when my high-spirited child started showing signs that she might no longer need that afternoon nap. Oh man, I truly loved that pocket of peace and tranquillity and yet I could feel it slipping away, vanishing before my eyes!
In facing this transition, I found myself grappling with two essential questions: "Is the nap still needed? And who is it truly for?" Perhaps you, too, have pondered these questions as you navigate the delicate balance between your child's needs and your own desire for a moment of quiet!
When does that final nap go?
Generally speaking most toddlers are ready to bid farewell to drop their last nap around 2 and a half to 3 years of age but of course there are always exceptions to any rule! Some children may continue napping sporadically until they start school, while others may drop their final nap earlier or later.
Like everything else to do with parenting, dropping naps isn't a linear process. Might need a nap every other day or on days when they’ve been particularly busy and done lots of exercise.
It's important to approach this transition with flexibility. While your toddler may no longer need a nap every day, they may still benefit from occasional naps, especially on days when they've been particularly active or haven't slept well the night before. Flexibility most definitely helps ease the transition for both you and your child.
How to know your toddler is ready to drop that nap?
Recognising when your child is ready to transition away from naps can be tricky, but there are some common signs to watch for. If your toddler consistently resists naptime, takes longer to fall asleep during naps, or seems well-rested and energetic throughout the day without a nap, they may be signalling that they're ready to drop their final nap.
Word of caution
As we all know, toddlers are tricky customers! Typically around 2 to 3 years old, many toddlers often exhibit nap resistance, even when they still have a genuine need for daytime sleep. This resistance can stem from their growing independence and the desire to assert control over their routines. Your little one may view napping as an unwelcome interruption to their playtime adventures, preferring instead to explore their surroundings, indulge in the excitement of newfound discoveries and generally have fun!
So my advice is to review their sleep over 24 hours before considering dropping that final nap. There is just so much sleep any of us need in 24 hours!
Here’s a nap scenario for you
If your toddler is having an hour nap and bedtime is an hour later then their sleep total over 24 hours is remaining the same. In this case it’s probably a good idea to continue with the nap as it’s preventing your toddler from becoming fatigued. If of course you’re ok with that later bedtime!
However if you really don’t want a later bedtime or it just doesn’t fit in with your family life, then of course the nap can be dropped to preserve the same bedtime. But be prepared for maybe a cranky toddler pushing through to their usual bedtime and you may also experience some deterioration in their night time sleep. Or temporarily go for an even earlier bedtime but be prepared possibly for an earlier morning wake.
If on the other hand that one hour nap is resulting in bedtime being pushed back two hours - so resulting in less overall sleep - then that’s your sign to drop the nap and you can revert back to the original bedtime.
In short, if your toddler is consistently reluctant to have their nap, the nap is getting short and the days your toddler doesn’t nap all hell doesn’t break loose, then it’s probably time to say goodbye to naps.
What happens if the nap is dropped too early?
This is actually quite a common recurrence. Naps become a struggle, so it feels like your toddler is ready to stop, and stop you do! But what can happen without that nap is that sleep pressure will build and be at a high point late afternoon. The result? A super tired toddler.
You might have to resort to an early bedtime, which can lead to early rising. If temporarily you can live with an early bird, then just stick with it until bedtime naturally becomes later. However, if it's not sustainable for your family, you may need to consider reintroducing a power nap just to keep them going until their normal bedtime.
There is no norm when it comes to naps going!
Every toddler is unique, with some being more sensitive to the absence of a nap than others. Some may benefit from a power nap to get them through to bedtime, whereas for others, even the briefest of naps can result in a late night for all!
If your family has a bedtime schedule that differs from the Western ‘norm’, then it's entirely possible that your little one may continue to need the nap for longer than others. Always consider the total sleep over a 24-hour period rather than adhering strictly to conventional expectations.
Is there life after naps?!
Absolutely! Introducing quiet time can be the perfect transition for both your toddler and yourself. Parenting is non-stop, and taking moments to slow down is good for you too! Plus, it’s essential to role model to your toddler the importance of rest.
When my own children, and others I have cared for over the past three decades have dropped that final nap, I encouraged ‘quiet time’ after lunch - snuggling on the sofa, reading books, puzzles - that type of thing. Many little ones take to this routine quite well and enjoy the special time with you, especially if they have a younger sibling.
You may also find that your daily routine needs some rejigging once the nap is gone. Bringing tea or dinner forward could be helpful to ensure your toddler isn't too tired to eat and to have a smoother bedtime routine.
Is that the end of naps, forever?
In a word, no! It's entirely possible to revert back to naps even after seeming to cope well without them. There might be some days they might drift off to sleep during this quiet time. This could occur during times of increased activity, illness, or significant life changes, such as starting preschool.If you know a short nap will be beneficial, rather than have a negative impact on bedtime, then let them catch a few zz.
So just bear in mind that stopping naps isn't marked by a definitive line in the sand. It's not a linear progression - like the vast majority of parenting! There will be occasions when a nap is needed, and that's perfectly fine. You’re being responsive to your little one’s current needs.
Your aim is to establish a routine that's consistent with flexibility, not set in stone. We all have days when a little shut-eye would be welcome!
Top Tip
And let’s end with a good tip I picked up years ago from someone far wiser than me! When a nap starts to cause more hassle than it solves, it’s most probably time to wave it goodbye!
