The End Of Naptime: When Do Toddlers Stop Napping?
As a parent, you already know how your child is. And not just your child; all toddlers are full of energy, curiosity, and high spirits. They not just keep themselves happy but have a natural charisma to keep everyone happy around them. Their cuteness and laughter make us spend each and every moment of our life with them and often provoke us to get them up during their naptime. But before that you should know when do toddlers stop napping.
Naptime is very important for a toddler and a parent as well. It gives them time to freshen up and get recharged after keeping everyone at their feet the whole day. This is an important time for the parents as well because this is the time they get for themselves and to get all the work done.
Toddlers, in general, sleep for 12 hours a day with almost 3 to 4 breaks. This gets reduced as they grow old. The answer to the frequently asked question, “when do toddlers stop napping?” is at about age 3. This is the age when they stop taking naps.
When Do Kids Stop Napping?
There is no exact rule or timeline for when a toddlers stop napping. It depends on their development when they start showing symptoms that they are starting to stop napping. Every kid behaves differently, so it is difficult to make a timeline for when they will stop napping. Some may show symptoms sooner, and some may show symptoms later.
It is up to a kid, their traits, how energetic they are, how long they stay awake at night, how long they sleep during the day, everything matters. Toddlers make a transition at the age of one year when they drop their nap time.
If they used to take two naps a day, then they take one nap a day; if they used to take four naps a day, then they changed it to two naps a day. A two or three-year-old toddler should take at least take naps that last for at least three hours.
When do babies stop napping? Mostly they stop napping by the age of four years. By this time, they get the stamina to stay awake for a longer period than they used to. They themselves refuse to nap as they get exposed to a lot of fun stuff and try to engage themselves with those activities.
If they are doing this regularly and refusing to take a nap during the day, then it can be an indication that they are ready to stop napping.
Signs That It Is Time To Stop The Afternoon Snooze
Well, in the above section, we have answered the question, “when do toddlers stop napping.” But it is also important to look for the signs to understand that they are getting ready to give up their naptime. Let’s see what those signs are.
Not Sleeping During Naptime
Naps give a toddler the energy to get through the day, but it can make it difficult for them to sleep at night. If they are getting all the sleep they need through their naps, then it can be difficult to get them to sleep. Or if they are taking a nap, which is very close to their actual sleep time, then it can tamper with their sleep cycle.
Get Up Too Early
Another sign to look for is if your child is ready to lose their naptime if they are getting up early in the morning. This happens if your kid is napping for more than two hours during the day. It can be helpful for a parent, but this can disrupt their sleep cycle. It is better to reduce the naptime instead of eliminating it altogether.
Skipping Naps In Scheduled Time
It is a sign that your toddler no longer needs naptime when they are skipping it and still seem energetic by the end of the evening. If they are not getting tired or don’t seem fussy, then it is best not to force them to take a nap, which can keep them awake during the night.
You might find them more interested in going through a picture book, solving a puzzle, or just roaming around the house during their naptime; just understand that they do not require their nap anymore. They may be more comfortable just roaming around the house just by themselves, without any sign of crankiness or fatigue.
3-Year-Olds Sleep Schedule
The sleep schedules for 3 year olds are seen to change rapidly; they don’t always follow the same routine. They often take a nap and often don’t. Sometimes they won’t sleep during their sleep time, and sometimes they will wake up early. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a toddler needs 10-13 hours of sleep regularly, and a nap should not be more than 90 minutes.
Let’s make a dummy schedule for a 3-year-olds day.
| Waking Up | 7:30 AM |
| Breakfast | 8:00 AM |
| Lunch | 12:50 AM |
| Naptime | 1:45-3:00 PM |
| Bedtime | 8:00 PM |
| Asleep | 8:30 PM |
Bedtime for 3-year-olds should be around 8 to 8:30 PM to keep them maintaining a healthy schedule. A naptime of approximately 1.5 hours can keep everything on schedule.
Transition From Napping
The transition from napping should always be smooth. It should be done gradually and not at once. Try deciding the nap time at the beginning and then stop it so it does not change their schedule suddenly. You can try some of the below-given tips if your baby is trying to cut down on nap time.
Give Them Rest
It is a good idea to give them enough rest instead of putting them to nap. Put them down, read them a book, sing them a song, or just spend some quality time together just lying around. Once they seem sleepy, put them to bed. This will allow them to sleep soundly and keep them energized during the day.
Consistent Routine
If you put your baby to sleep around the same time every day, their body and mind will get used to it, and they will fall asleep during that time after continuing this for a few days. Choose a time that will be convenient for you and your family, and stick to it. A bedtime routine can also help them get used to it, like giving them a bath or reading them a story.
Push Back Their Naptime
If your child has a habit of napping close to their actual sleep time, try punching that and keep them awake. Try delaying it with some activities, and try doing it by 15 minutes. Delay their nap time by fifteen minutes every day.
Correct Sleepwear Is Important
It’s all in the mind. If you put your baby into a cozy sleeping sack every day, then their mind will get used to the fact that it’s time to sleep every time you get them dressed in it. It has to be cozy because that would get them comfort and help them to sleep. Sleep sack applies gentle pressure and makes them feel safe in it.
How Is Nighttime Sleep Affected When A Toddler Stops Napping?
As a toddler’s naptime is stopped, you will find that their nighttime sleep is affected because of that. It might be difficult for them to fall asleep or find it difficult to stay asleep all night.
It might be difficult to get accustomed to the changes that your baby is going through. You might also experience them getting up early in the morning. It would help if you set a bedtime routine for them and stick by it as much as you can. It will help your baby understand when it is time to wrap up their day and get ready for bed.
Will It Help If You Move Their Afternoon Nap To An Early Morning One?
Your toddler might not find themselves okay with this change and might require some time to get accustomed to the change. However, naps are essential for toddlers; they help them stay focused and refreshed all through the day.
If you are planning to move your toddler’s naptime from the afternoon to some time early in the morning, make sure that you do this transition gradually and keep an eye on them to check if they are adjusting well to this change.
Should You Wake Your Baby From Their Nap?
Yes, you might have to wake your baby from their nap if the naptime is getting close to their feeding time or overlapping with it. You might also have to wake them up if they are napping for a long time and if that is going to affect their bedtime afterward.
This will help them regulate their sleep schedule and make sure that they get the required amount of sleep at night. However, it is best to consult a pediatrician if you have any concerns or any particular situation that is concerning you about your baby’s sleep.
Wrapping Up!
Every child is unique, and their energy and stamina are different as well. So if you are looking for answers to when do toddlers stop napping or when do kids stop taking naps, then it is difficult to provide an exact timeline. It varies from child to child, and approximately it stops between the age of 2 to 4.
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