Naps - Ponder, TX

They may be fighting the first nap now but they probably wont be ready for only one for another few months. I read the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and it says 15 months is around the norm. But all kids are different so if one nap works for them and for you then thats great!

You know when kids are tired. They fight and fuss. If they will not nap for long during the day then skip the morning nap. I have one changing at about 2 yrs old. Depends. One will come morning and fuss until he sleeps for about 30 min then fine until afternoon nap. G. W

I moved my twins to 1 nap when they were a little under a year. My daughter was still fine with 2 naps, but my son would take a while to fall asleep and then their 2nd nap and bedtime would be pushed later. I felt like he wasn't tired enough for his morning nap. It was a gradual process for us. When we dropped the morning nap, they would still sometimes take a catnap in the stroller when we walked home from the park or in the car if we'd gone out. When you move them to 1 nap, you might want to make their afternoon nap a little earlier. My kids nap later (1:30 or 2), but that works well for us b/c we have the whole mornign to do stuff. Good luck!

Every child is different... but from what I have read and heard from my doctor it is usually around 18 months.... and then at about 3-4 years they stop naps completely. But every child is different- some people Always will need naps!! Sleeping is great for your children's bodies!! It is very important at this age! Be happy for the break during 2 naps.... this was my time to get a break too sometimes- and boy do I need it! :)

my oldest went to one nap at a year. The baby didn't switch until he was 14 mos. If they are taking 2 naps enjoy it. It will be a long time until you get that kind of time to yourself again.

Hi Heather!
I just was trying to figure this one out too! In one of my sleeping books I think it says something like: 80% of children are still taking 2 naps at 12 (or 15?) months and 20% are still taking them at 18 months. My 18 month old just switched to one but it starts around 10:30am and goes to about 2 or 2:30pm. I can start bumping back 15 minutes or so a day to transition her to a true afternoon nap I have read. Some great books that will tell you all about it are:

Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child
Baby Wise (there are a number in this series)
The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers

All in all, don't try to switch them too early. I have heard that big day cares switch kids from one nap to two immediately at one year. From what it sounds like there is no real transitioning there. That sounds pretty unfair to the children.

Read up in some of those books and it will help. Just pay attention to your babies and their moods, etc. and you will be able to tell if they need more sleep or less. It could even vary day to day.

Good luck!
Best,
A.

My 12 month old twins are still taking two a day, I give them a snack about 11:00 and they're down by 11:30 or so, and then they get up around 1:00 and we have lunch. Then they go down for a second nap around 4:00 and I get them up by 5:30, or else they don't sleep at night! So I would just say like everyone else, it depends on the child! =)

Hi Heather,

It depends on the child. Are they taking one nap before and other after lunch? My kids use to get really fussy and not eating well if they were not taking the morning nap. If they go well without the first one and stick longer time the second one I would say they are ready. My kids started the one nap a day when they were bw 12 and 14 months. But you can always try and see how it goes. Being mom is being a scientist :)
Good Luck!

It depends on the child. My oldest was almost 2 and my youngest was barely 12 months when she did. I noticed her naps were both about 45 minutes, or one would be an hour and the other was shorter. It was great to go to one nap...opened my day up a lot.

Between 16 and 22 months my little boy would go back and forth wanting to play all morning to totally running out of steam. So for a while I just played it by ear. If he seemed tired or cranky before lunch, I put him down. If he stayed a busy body I just let him play. It wasn't until he hit about 22 months that he was only napping in the afternoon after lunch. Don't worry. Your motherly instincts will tell you. Just read their behavior and body language.

Also, if you put them down for a morning nap and they never go to sleep, that's a good indicator as well.

I would suggest trying to cut the 2 naps they have a little shorter before cutting one out completely. You don't want to send them, or yourself, into body shock. Don't set it up so that you regret it a few hours later.

They will let you know when they are ready for only one nap. You will know when they lay there and not sleep or when they don't lay and they play instead. Sometimes tho, they may not need a 'sleeping nap' but 'quiet time' instead. Maybe where they sit and play quietly or look at books or something low maintenence for a little bit.

I wouldn't say there is a "normal age" for anything because it all depends on each child's individual needs. You may even find that one of your children will need only 1 nap and the other will still need 2. Really tho, it all boils down to trial and error.