Transition from 2 Naps to 1 - Cleveland,OH

First as the therapist if they think too much sleep is the issue. I'm guessing it's not. My first son took 2 long naps each day until 18 months and slept from 7:30-8 or 9 every night. He slept A LOT!!! But it didn't affect anything. My second son gave up the second nap around 11 months. They are just all different. I'd say go with whatever works best for the family. My kids had totally opposite nap schedules, so I was happy to see my younger give up his second nap so early, but I wouldn't have pushed it if it didn't seem to work for him. It sounds like she could give up one nap if you wanted her to.

Since she is such an agreeable and flexible baby, why not try doing her nap after lunch and at the same time as your sons quiet time? It sounds like she's not crabby in the a.m. if she misses the nap, so maybe a longer pm nap might be the best solution. That will also free up your morning in the event that you need to schedule any PT or OT appointments for her. Good luck!

I don't think it is too early. I transitioned my son just around 12 mon. because he started not sleeping when I put him down in the afternoon. I think there is no right or wrong as long as you are "reading" your child and what is best for her. If she's flexible and its best for you, go ahead and transition her!

Good luck!
A. V.

Our daughter was transitioned to one nap at daycare at 10.5 months as they moved her from the infant to toddler room.

We were worried at first, but it was a great thing for her to be getting more consistency in her napping. She's by far the better of our two kids when it comes to sleeping just by nature of her personality being slightly different.

I'd try to consolidate if possible. She may just be a kid who requires a little more sleep. Our 3.5 year old seems to function really well with much less sleep than other kids his age.

But, I'd ask both the PT and your Pediatrician to see what they recommend under the circumstances. I'd tend to believe that it may have less to do with the time she's awake vs. asleep and more to do with what types of activities are available during her awake time to help develop those gross motor skills.

Good luck! Hoping the PT is a good experience for her.

My 17mo transitioned to one nap around 14mo. She's just like your LO, sleeps 12-13hrs a night and then takes one huge nap in the afternoon. Anywhere from 2-3 sometimes 4hrs! She sleeps a lot. I think she gets plenty of playtime as we are active all morning and then for a little bit in the afternoon before dinner. I think she would sleep less if we were not so active. I actually heard that most children tranisition to one nap around 12mo so I thought she was doing it a bit late. I just wanted to let you know there are other kids who sleep a lot too.

I would say try one nap and see how she does. Some kids can do with one nap at a year with no problem. I would move your son's quiet time to your daughter's nap time so you get a break - if he's not sleeping, just playing quietly, at this time moving it shouldn't be an issue.

this isnt going to help you probably but i just wanted you to know that my 12 month old is the same way for the most part. she sleeps about 10 or so hours at night (830-700ish). she can take or leave her morning nap/afternoon nap and does great on just 1 2.5-3 hour nap. i, like you, just wonder if this is enough sleep? should a baby so young already be to a 1 a day nap?

My oldest went to 1 nap at 13 months and my youngest went to 1 nap at 11 months. Every child is different. Be happy that she is so flexible. I would say to start trying the one nap a day. I'm a PT and I agree that more awake time during the day would give her more opportunities to work on her gross motor skills. Good luck!

Depending on where you look, a 1 year old should get 10-15 hours of sleep a day. I remember my son was a HUGE napper---for one nap. He would often take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon and be happy as can be any other time. I know he was like this from about 9 months on because that's when he started daycare and they only layed them down when they got fussy. He went half days so he was there from 8a until 2p and then I'd pick him up and we'd take a 3 hour nap at the same time. :) I LOVE naps lol.
He also slept for 10-12 hours a night.
Now at 7 years later he still sleeps 10-12 hours a night and therefore I would say going to a one nap a day that early didn't hurt his sleep schedule any! :) Best of luck!

I would do a little trial and error. If she seems okay with one longer nap, and you can get it around your sons quiet time, great! Or maybe switch your sons quiet time to adjust around one of her naps? When my son went from 2 to 1 nap, I blindly assumed her would just nap longer for the one nap, and he doesnt. So I would judge by your daughter's behavior. If she seems to benefit from 2 naps, and its not affecting bedtime dont change it. She probably gets plenty of playtime, though I understand your concern. Talk to your Dr. as well as see what they recommend. She very well may need both naps still!