When Do Toddlers Stop Napping – Signs And Tips to Manage it

There is no fixed answer to the question of when toddlers stop their daytime naps. This is because every toddler is different and their sleeping patterns are different. The sleeping times of toddlers depend on their energy levels, activity or inactivity throughout the day, and peaceful sleeping atmosphere. Whatever it is, generally toddlers do not skip their naps until they are in preschool (1).

Toddlers require at least 11-14 hours of sound sleep for proper mental and physical development (2). As it is often not possible to get such prolonged sleep at night, they tend to get 2 to 3 hours of after-lunch sleep. According to the report of the Oxford Academic, daytime naps monotonically decrease with successive years in children (3).

So your toddler can stop napping anytime between 2 to 5 years of age or they can still require a nap after 5 years of age. It is completely fine and nothing to worry about. But you need to understand their sleeping behavior to notice anything unusual or better manage their napping time to enhance development and productivity.

Kids’ Napping Behavior by Age

The napping behaviors of kids change gradually as they grow. You can see a gradual transition from frequent naps to no daytime naps as the kid grows. Here are the napping behaviors by age you can witness in your kid (4)-

• Non-stop napping during infancy (1 to 3 months) because of 14-17 hours sleep requirement
• 5 to 6 naps per day in between 4 to 12 months due to 12-16 hours sleep requirement 
• 2 to 3 naps per day after 18 months due to 11-14 hours sleep requirement 
• 2 naps until 3 or 5 years of age because of 10-13 hours sleep requirement 
• Only one prolonged nap during the night after 5 years of age due to 9 to 10 hours sleep requirement

So, napping time will decrease as a kid moves from infancy towards toddlerhood as their sleep requirement decreases. Notice your toddler’s napping behavior closely. If you find something unusual then you can consult with the pediatrician.

When Can You Stop Napping For Toddlers?

Toddlers gradually decrease their napping times as their brain matures (5). Your toddler will give you hints if they do not need daytime naps anymore. You can stop your toddler’s afternoon naps if you notice signs such as-

1. They Look Super Active During Usual Napping Time

If your toddler is super active and unwilling to sleep during the usual napping time, it is a sign. But you will have to notice that your toddler gets enough sleep at night and does not get tired after a few hours of skipping the nap.

2. Are Playing Late at Night

If your toddler is not sleeping until late at night then it is a sign that you need to change their sleeping routine. Due to daytime naps, they may gain much of their daily sleep requirement and not feel too tired to go to sleep (6).

3. Does Not Get Drowsy After Skipping Naps

If the toddler is not getting drowsy or fussy without a daytime nap then it is a sign that they do not require it anymore. You can then gladly let them be involved in extracurricular and outdoor activities such as dancing, singing, or playing football to utilize the time productively (7). 

4. Sleeps Soundly Through The Night

If your toddler sleeps soundly throughout the night without any break and wakes up fresh then it is a sign. You will notice that your toddler’s sleeping time at night will increase to compensate for the daytime naps.

5. Gets Irritated if Forced For Naps

The most significant sign of a toddler not needing a nap is that they will get irritated when you force them to sleep. Instead, they will like to play during nap time without a sign of energy drop.

Hence you will entirely have to rely on the signs that your toddler shows to decide whether to skip their daytime nap or not. 

What Are The Signs a Toddler Needs Napping Time?

Toddlers will give you some hints too if they are not willing to skip their usual naps yet. The signs of a toddler needing napping time will include (8)-

• Showing a lack of energy and inactivity if you force skip their naps
• Frequent yawning, eye rubbing, and clinginess 
• Gets sleepy as soon as you pat them or sing a lullaby
• Showing fussiness, irritation, and becoming nagging throughout the evening
• Waking up cranky in the morning due to lack of sufficient sleep
• Showing signs of tiredness and reluctance in activities 

If you notice these signs then let your toddler sleep as their body needs it. But do not let them sleep over three hours in the day. Wake them up around 4 pm so that they sleep early at night.

What Should Parents Expect When Reducing Their Toddler’s Naps?

There will be some initial behavioral changes in your toddler when you try to reduce their naps. The changes that you may expect while reducing your toddler’s naps are-

• Crankiness or irritation
• Tiredness during the usual time of nap
• Early sleep at night
• Changes in sleep patterns at night

You should not expect immediate changes in your kid’s sleeping routine. Your kid will learn to skip naps gradually with consistent tries and patience from your end.

There is nothing more beautiful than a kid napping peacefully. But as a toddler grows they do not require daytime sleep anymore. After a certain age, the primary sleeping time of a toddler should be at night. However, you must not force them to skip their naps whenever you want. Incorporate gradual changes and you will be successful.

FAQ’s

1. Do Naps Help Brain Development?

Yes, naps have a significant role in the brain development of children. With a relaxing nap the attention span and cognitive ability increase. Kids get more physically and cognitively active if their sleep recruitment is fulfilled. Hence you should not restrict toddlers from taking a nap if they wish to.

2. How to Help Your Kid Stop Napping During The Day?

You can help your kid avoid napping during the day by providing them with activities such as drawing, making clay models, or going to the park. You can let your kid have a quiet time by reading story books to them. Let your kid play with balls or building blocks so that their mind remains active. Your aim should be to involve your kid’s mind in different activities so that they can skip their naps.

References

1. The Effects of Napping on Cognitive Function in Preschoolers – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3095909/]
2. National Sleep Foundation’s updated sleep duration recommendations: final report – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073398/]
3. Sleep/Wake Patterns Derived from Activity Monitoring and Maternal Report for Healthy 1- to 5-Year-Old Children – [https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/28/12/1568/2708035?login=false]
4. How Much Sleep Is Enough? – [https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep]
5. Spotlight on daytime napping during early childhood – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5851571/]
6. Daytime nap controls toddlers’ nighttime sleep – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899693/]
7. Extracurricular Physical Activities and the Condition of Being an Only Child as a Conditioning Factor in the Psychomotor Development of 5-Year-Old Children – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8287093/]
8. Factors Affecting the Quality of Sleep in Children – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7915148/]