Napping for Toddlers.

I think all toddlers differ on when they stop napping. I do know everyone , even adults function better with daily naps, if possible! LOL! There are some great tips @ http://www.toddlerbedandmore.com/toddler_tips-html on getting children down to nap ! Helpful !

She still needs her nap! Definitely, don't take that away from her. That's when kids recharge their battery, yes, but that's also important growth time, too! Tell daddy she will let you guys know when she's outgrown them.

My 4.5 & 6.5 year old daughters still nap!!! They can go without one but after a few days, they are so grouchy (which makes me grumpier! Lol) so I "make" them & they wake up like new people & all are happier for it :)

I do home daycare and quite honestly, I am not sure I could care for a toddler that young who didn't nap on a parent request. In fact all kids have to nap here, or we arrange a quiet time, but even that is not until they are old enough to "manage" a QT. To me, this is sitting or laying quietly, without needing me to shuush them, answer 200 questions, get up and go potty over and over (cuz they are bored, etc). Even the ones who are 3+ who I agree that naps are not happening and they are too disruptive in the nap room, so we try a QT, with my stringent rules, they usually fall asleep within 15 minutes (maybe they only sleep 30-60 minutes where the others might sleep 2-3 hours).

At 15 mos I am usually just getting them down to 1 nap from 2 in a successful manner.

What happens with the 3am wake up? How long is she awake? What sort of "attention" does she get? A bottle? A parent that runs to her rescue? Everyone has different ideals on this and methods. Maybe try a slightly different routine...change one thing or whatever to work to a self soothing middle of the night event, if thats not what is happening now?

Good luck!

At 15 months she still needs to nap. It is not healthy for her to be up for that long, with no nap. Most likely the waking up during the night has nothing to do with the nap anyway. So you would end up with a grouchy baby during the day, and she would still be waking up at night on top of it. My six year old stopped napping just before she turned four. My three yr old, and my 17 months old still take a two hour nap every day. I feel the same as you, I love the fact that I get a two hour break every day.

Oh, she absolutely still needs her nap. Both of my older girls dropped their naps at around age 2 and that's considered 'early'. I know TONS of 3, 4 and even 5 year olds that still need a nap - maybe not EVERY day, but pretty often.

Tell Daddy to suck it up - your DD's rest is more important than making this "easy" on him. When babies sleep (and yes, yours is still a baby) is when they grow....sleep is SO important.

YES she still needs the nap. If she's grouchy w/o it, then she needs it. My son is 3 yrs (plus 4 months) and still naps for about 2 hours a day.

I understand dad's frustration though. When I am gone (rarely) and dad has to put the kiddo down for a nap, then the nap just doesn't happen on those days. He just doesn't have the routine or the patience that I do. (I lay on my bed with my son, read a book to him, then he falls asleep next to me. But it takes a good 15 minutes of laying on the bed with him before he falls asleep.) Maybe your dd and Dad need to come up with their own routine.

I think her waking up in the middle of the night has nothing to do with whether or not she gets a nap mid-day. What does she do at 3am? Is she up for an hour? Or does she just want to be held for one minutes and goes back to sleep? She may be waking just b/c she's used to it, or b/c she's had a nightmare, or b/c you guys still go in there to get her instead of letting her cry/whine a little and then put herself back to sleep. I dunno.

15 months is waaaayy too young to drop the nap. Most kids need them until they are 4 years old. Dropping her nap will only make her overly tired and will result in more wakings in the middle of the night. She is so little, she really needs those daily Zzz's to be healthy and happy. My kids are 2.5 and 11 months--my baby girl still takes two 1.5-2 hour naps a day and my toddler naps from 1-3 (with his sister). If he doesn't nap, he is an overtired and cranky monster by the time dinner rolls around. What I suggest is having dad put her down the same exact way you do, and not budging. Have him just plop her into her crib as well--she may protest and demand more daddy play time, but she will get the hint soon enough. I know dads can be really big softies on their baby girls though :)

My dd is 2 and still does the afternoon nap (1-2hrs). There is no way I would let her go without it. even if its for only 45mins. There are some kids that can charge on but they are older, she needs 12-14hrs total, my dd still wakes on occasion for a little something to drink during the night. Omitting her nap will really do your dd more harm than good. Tell daddy she needs that sleep.

My son is 27 months, and has dropped his nap. No matter how early I try and put him down...he can NOT fall asleep at night with a nap.

At 15 months, we had to make his nap earlier. We woke up earlier, around 7:00 and he would take a nap from 10 -12:00, or 11 - 1:00. We ate lunch when he woke. That really helped him continue sleeping through the night. When he took a later nap, he always woke up once at night. I think his body had enough sleep fuel, or something. I wouldn't drop the nap. However, you might make the nap earlier. She will be much more tired, and her body won't wake her up. At least, that was our experience.

My son turned 4 in May and still naps for about 2 hours on the weekends! It is crutial for brain development! He also goes to bed around 7 and sleeps till about 8 (so for 13 hours).

Some days he is not sleepy so I let him have a couple of books to read...he eventually falls asleep...

15 months is too young to drop the naps!!

Of course she still needs a nap!!! shes only 15 months old! most kids nap until at least age 3 however my 7 year old still needs a name but i wouldnt dare take that nap away. on a side note my neice is almost 2 and still wakes up in the night

I think it's too early. They still need lots of sleep at this age and if she is actually napping each day, then no way I'd give it up. My daughter will be 4 in September and just the past 2 weeks I've had to face facts that the nap is gone! :( I'm sad about it, trust me, but I realize the time has come! Keep that nap up, Girl!

Oh yes, she still needs her nap. Most 15 month olds do. My twins will be three in October, and they still take three hour naps almost daily. Thank goodness, too, since we have a newborn in the house! When all three are napping so is Mommy!

My son didn't drop his nap until he was 4 and life would have been pretty miserable without it!! My daughter is almost 2 and still naps twice a day on most days. It is crazy to drop a nap when your daughter is this young - I think you will regret it if you try to force it. Babies/toddlers need their sleep.

My son was 21 months before he decided he didnt want naps anymore. It took him about a week to get use to it and not be grouchy but he is good now i wish he would still nap i would love some down time during the day. I put him to bed for the night any where from 8 to 9 pm and he'll sleep till about 7 to 8 am but he still wakes up in the middle of the night and crawls in to bed with me and my husband and goes back to bed. So he told me he didnt want anymore naps if i had my way he would still be taking naps. Why dont u try shorting her naps during the day instead of 2 hours let her sleep for a hour and see if it helps.

She still needs her nap. My son is 5.5 and I still make him spend quiet time in his room for about 45 minutes. He doesn't ever fall asleep anymore, but he reads books quietly in his room or plays quietly. He always comes out of his room in a better mood - he just needs the down time even if he isn't sleeping. I have two daughters too (ages 3 and 2) and they both still nap too. If your husband still isn't convinced, read the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." It might help with the middle of the night waking too. Good luck!

My son is 19 months old and if he doesn't get an hour to 1.5 hour nap every afternoon then he is so grumpy in the evenings. My older kids stopped taking naps around 2, they just grew out of it. So if your little girl gets grumpy early in the evening, she still needs a nap.

My son did the same thing at that age, and I considered dropping his nap. It was so frustrating though because when we tried it he was SO grumpy in the afternoon and would often fall asleep at dinnertime and still wake up in the middle of the night, but really mad! We gave him back his nap and it was so much better. I didn't 'give up' his nap until he was 3 years old, and he started not being able to go to sleep until 10pm! At that point he was sleeping through the night, but not going down until 10 and that's too late, so we dropped the nap, and put him to bed at 8. It worked perfectly. To this day (he's now 5) if he 'accidentally' has a nap, he is up late afterwards because he can't go to sleep. Good luck! I would cherish that 2-hour block as long as you can get it! You need that time to do things for yourself (to maintain your sanity!)

My son is 3 years old and still takes a two to three hour nap each day and he sleeps at night from typically 8:30 to 7 without waking up in the night. I think naps are very important for children. So in my opinion yes I'd keep giving your daughter a nap.

my daughter is 2 1/2 n still naps almost every day for an hour or so. because she NEEDS it because if not she is a grouch come 6

Almost all 15 month olds still need a nap. My son is 3 and still takes one. Keep in mind when they go to preschool, the kids take a nap until they are at least 5. Not having a nap will not make your child sleep more at night.

Keep her nap! She'll be happier and so will you. Maybe push it earlier if you think it's causing her to wake at night. Maybe she needs a little more time after waking up from her nap before bedtime. This will probably make her more tired and ready to go to bed. Play around with her schedule and see! My 4 year old still takes 2 hour naps. If he doesn't, he's a grouch! Good luck!

My DD will be 3 in Sept and we started telling her it was rest time and that she did not have to sleep. But she always falls asleep after a bit. We plan to keep rest time until she is in school. I think we all benefit from the house being quite for a few hours. I even take a rest time to read or just be quiet and I feel so recharged when I get up. I think you need the rest as much as she does. :)

And for your fiance tell him that being a parent is made up of making sacrifices for your children. Doing what is best for them and not yourself.

Keep the nap! My 3 3/4 year old still does 2 hours in the afternoon. During her growth spurts its close to 3! Plus you need that down time!

My 15 month old still takes a morning nap and and afternoon nap. She goes to bed at 7 or 8, wakes up at 6am, naps at about 8/9am and then again at 1 or 2. My 3 year old also naps at 1 or 2, and my six year old did until this summer. Developmentally, the kids need the rest. Night waking is normal and that may always ber your daughter's routine. Maybe she needs more sleep during the day?

At 15 months should could be still taking 2 naps per day. It is normal for kids to still wake up hungry during the night until about 20 months, they have a huge growth spurt around this time and are seriously hungry all the time. Google hours of sleep needed by her age and show it to him.

BTW, if you were working right now the child care center would require her to nap until she is fully out of Kindergarten. Most state regulations have it listed that all children up to age 5 or out of Kindergarten are required to lay down and at the very least have rest time.

My daughter napped until 2 1/2 and my son just quit napping a few months ago at 3 1/2. 15 months is way too young to stop napping. She needs the sleep.

Your schedule sounds good. My kids usually went to bed at 8pm and woke up between 6 and 7 am. Some children I have know are still taking an am nap at this age as well. But it sounds like your daughter's nighttime sleep is consistent and long, so she doesn't need it.
Sorry Dad. She absolutely still needs a nap at this age. Sleep is essential for growth and strong immune systems.
SOME kids will drop their nap as early at 2... but MOST will still nap consistently until about age 3 or even 4 depending on the time they get up and their activity level during the day. ( At about 21/2 some kids have a nap "strike", but if they are still required to be in a dim quiet room and rest for a specific period of time, they will often resume a nap schedule.)

My 26 month old still needs her nap. If she doesn't get a nap she gets incredibly clumsy and cranky. She also sleeps horrible at night if she doesn't get a nap. She's up and down all night and will often have nightmares.
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems/faqs-abou... Here's a great chart with information on how much sleep a child should be getting.
Sounds like your little one is completely where she should be.

No way... Even in day care the many 4 year olds take a 2 hour rest time or nap.. They need it!

Mine have all napped until age 5 at that point we dropped napping and went to 1 hour of quiet time while resting in bed (usually looking at books). This time allows the kids and myself some down time. If it has been a rough day I have time to get myself pulled back together and supper started.

If sleeping isn't an issue then I wouldn't drop the nap time.

Way to young! She really does need the nap. Also, if you take it away, there's a very good chance she'll be over tired won't be sleeping as well at night.

Don't fix what ain't broke!

YES she still needs a nap!!! lol. my 2 1/2 year old still needs her nap. (Same ultra-crabby around 5 or so.) I don't know if things are STILL this way in schools or not, but I know when I was in Kindergarten (not pre-k), we still had nap-time during the day, and most of the kids actually napped! So, we're talking a bunch of 5 year olds still needing at least a LITTLE nap.

If she takes a nap, she needs a nap. Many kids get up at night and it's not b/c they are ready to get up . Keep her nap : )

My 2 1/2 year old still naps religiously. You child's father clearly has NO CLUE about child development. Make him talk to your ped if he continues this train of thought. I have never heard of a 15 month old who does not need a nap. Many kids nap until school age (kindergarden) but some do stop around 3 or 4 years. It sounds like fiance is lazy and doesn't want to enforce healthy habits, but take the easy road instead. That is so sad - I'm really sorry.

Good luck!!

I don't know why anyone would ever purposefully drop a babies nap completely. They stop taking them themselves way too soon... lol I think they really need the sleep when they are that young.. although my daughter stopped sleeping in the day when she was two! I really really miss her nap time now.

Yes she still needs the nap. My son is 21 months and he still naps 2-3 hours a day. Plus you need a break!

Hi, I am not sure coz my DD is only 10 mos old yet, but from what the doctors and my parents tell me all the time, kids need their naps if they wish to sleep fitfully through the night. The more we keep them awake during the day, the more restless they are bound to get in the night.
My mom advised me to manage our (DH and mine) schedules to allow my DD to nap for at least 2 hrs (in 2 installments initially, and later at a stretch perhaps) until the age of 3 or so. Its not based in any medical research, just a thumb-rule many in our family and friends follow...

Oh my gosh, yes she still needs to nap. Many kids keep this one afternoon nap until 3 or 4 years old! My son is 15 months old and still takes 2 naps some days. Your husband needs to understand that taking away her nap is not going to stop her from waking at night - thats likely its own separate problem. In fact, research suggests the more overtired a child gets (ie if you take her nap away at this age!) the worse they sleep so you may start to find that she wakes more at night! There's no way in heck that she's ready to drop a nap, it will backfire. Please don't deprive her of this.

My daughter is 22 months and still needs her nap and she also still wakes up once a night but shes weaning herself from breastfeeding and has always woke up at least once a night. If she doesn't have a hour and a half to a two hour nap then she's bear the rest of the day.

My oldest son is 4.5 yrs old. He still NEEDS naps, but I can only get him to take them about once a week.

My 26 month old naps every day from about 1-4, and then goes to bed at 7:30. Until he was about 18 mos. he was still taking 2 naps a day.

I think she is just being difficult for daddy because it is a special time for her and she wants to make the most of being with him. (My kids give me a hard time with bed time if I wait until my hubby is home to put them to sleep. They are angels and go right to bed if I get them down before they know he's on his way home.)