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You know what frustrated me most when my oldest son was a baby and a young toddler?
The fact that just when I’d worked out a nice, predictable daytime sleep schedule, he’d get a little bit older, and that would blow my perfectly-crafted routine to pieces.
I’m positive a lot of you know exactly what I’m talking about (even those of you who’ve never been able to establish a nap schedule.) The first few years of a child’s life are full of changes, and those changes add up to mean ever-shifting sleep patterns and schedules.
This is really apparent when you consider a child’s typical nap schedule from birth to toddlerhood. Newborn babies take 5 or more naps each day; by 18 months, toddlers are taking one nap. That’s a lot of change. And transitioning between all those nap schedules can be a huge headache for little ones and for their parents.
That’s what we’re tackling today. It’s time to talk all about nap-transitions – let’s get started!
When Do Nap Transitions Usually Happen?
There’s no blueprint, of course, that’ll let you know exactly when your baby or toddler is due for a nap transition. However, there’s a general timeline (we’ve shared it previously in this article) that most babies and toddlers seem to follow, and that will be helpful in pinpointing when nap transitions are most likely to occur:
- From 1-4 months, the number of naps your baby takes will be variable, but will hover around 4-5 naps per day, depending on how long his naps are and how long he can stay up between naps.
- By 3 or 4 months old, she will lean towards just 4 naps, rather than 5.
- From 5-8 months, most babies will have three naps per day. They will start to resist the fourth nap, no matter how tired they are. There are a few babies who will only have two naps at a very young age, but those naps are usually long.
- From 9-15 or 18 months, on average, your baby will nap two times a day. Although many people believe most babies can transition to one nap at 12 months, the average age is actually 15 to 18 months.
- From 18 months to 4 years, toddlers nap once a day. The age to transition away from all napping varies a lot, from 2 to 5+ years old, but the average age is between 3 and 4 years old.
The early nap transitions (from five, to four, to three) usually happen quickly and aren’t as problematic. It’s the other nap transitions (from three, to two, to one, to none) that tend to frustrate parents. Those nap transitions take longer, for one thing (my middle son has been transitioning from one nap to none for the past YEAR), and they seem to affect children more noticeably.
Nicole’s Note:
“By far, we get the most questions in the Helpdesk about the transition from 3 to 2 naps and from 2 to 1. The 2 -> 1 transition can be the most difficult, for some, because you now have a toddler who has tantrums and a mind of her own! 😉 It also causes the most sleep deprivation, usually.”
How To Tell If A Nap Transition’s Approaching
How will your baby or toddler let you know that a nap transition is coming? Here are a few signs to look for:
- Your baby or toddler begins consistently refusing a nap: Most parents find that their little one suddenly starts refusing a nap (usually an afternoon one) that, just yesterday, they agreed to without a problem. That tends to be the classic sign that a nap transition is approaching.
- The timing of your baby’s or toddler’s naps begins to change: Other parents discover that before a nap transition, the schedule generally goes crazy. Naptime goes from being predictable to being all over the place. This can interfere with nighttime sleep, too — if the afternoon nap doesn’t happen until late afternoon or early evening, for example, it can interfere with bedtime.
- The length of your baby’s or toddler’s naps begins to change: You may notice that one or more of your little one’s naps are suddenly much shorter than normal. This can be a sign that your baby or toddler is getting ready to drop a nap.
Signs of an Approaching Nap Transition, or Signs of a Sleep Regression?
One thing to remember — not all nap craziness is a sign that a nap transition’s coming on. Let’s not forget about those sleep regressions! Refusing to nap is often a symptom of a sleep regression; in those cases, it shouldn’t be treated as a sign that a nap transition is coming on.
For example, a baby who’s in the throes of the 8/9/10 month sleep regression may start to resist naps. But that’s not a sign that she should downshift from two naps to one — not at all! Most children aren’t ready for one nap until 15-18 months. Similarly, an 18 month old who suddenly starts refusing to nap probably isn’t giving up naps altogether — he’s probably just going through the 18 month sleep regression.
How to tell the difference? Wait a bit. Most regressions work themselves out within a week or two. If the napping issues haven’t resolved themselves within a few weeks, then you can think about making a nap transition.
Nicole’s Note:
“We tend to be cautious about jumping into a nap transition. Our general rule of thumb is to wait until your baby is skipping a nap more than 4 times a week. All situations can have the ‘What ifs’ of course, so we evaluate it on a case-by-case basis. Many times, your baby doesn’t seem to give you a choice and you know what to do.”
Making Baby and Toddler Nap Transitions Easier
For some babies and toddlers (especially those who are highly adaptable), nap transitions are a piece of cake. They only take a few days, and there’s little (if any) “pain and suffering” involved. If that’s the case in your home, then a sort of “cold turkey” approach to nap transitions might work well. Simply cut out a nap, re-vamp the schedule, and endure a few fussy days. Bam. Done.
For others, though, nap transitions are difficult and loooong. If your baby or toddler is in that second category, you’d probably appreciate some suggestions as to how to make those transitions a bit easier, right?
We hear you. That’s why we’ve included so many nap-focused resources in our VIP Members Area. Check them out below!
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Special VIP Members-Only Nap Resources
Mastering Naps & Schedules. For starters, all Baby Sleep Site® VIP members receive unlimited access to all our e-Books. That’s right – for the price of your membership, you can read all our e-Books at no additional cost! That includes Mastering Naps & Schedules. With over 45 sample schedules (all available for you to view in the Members Area), Mastering Naps & Schedules is THE e-Book for tired parents of non-napping kiddos! We tackle all your top napping issues, including how to get your baby or toddler to take longer naps, how to get your child’s naps to be more consistent and predictable, how to manage nap transitions, how to encourage good napping while traveling – and more! Become a VIP member today, and access the e-Book instantly – no download necessary!
Nap Tele-Seminars — Another great VIP members-only resource? Our tele-seminars. Hosted by Nicole herself, these audio tele-seminars offer you insider-information and our trademark sleep coaching methods and techniques. And guess what? We have a special tele-seminar that’s completely focused on managing nap transitions. That’s right – as a VIP member, you will have access to this coaching session with Nicole! She’ll walk you through the basics of navigating nap transitions without destroying your existing daytime schedule, or ruining night sleep.
VIP Members-Only Nap Articles — And now, we’ve recently added a special members-only article on this very topic: 5 Practical, Hands-On Tips For Managing Common Nap Transitions. Learn our 5 top secrets for how to gently and painlessly navigate nap transitions, and help them happen in a way that preserves your child’s sleep while also preserving your own sanity! 😉
For more details about all our VIP member benefits (including weekly chats with a trained sleep consultant and our Ask the Author feature), visit our membership page. Consider becoming a VIP member today!
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Don’t feel up to working on your baby or toddler’s nap challenges on your own? While our VIP Members Area is great for DIY moms who prefer to tackle sleep challenges on their own, we know that other moms much prefer to go straight to one-on-one help. Well, good news – we offer that, and you can start getting the personal help you need TODAY!
Browse our list of consultation package options here.
Once you make your choice and purchase, you will immediately receive an e-mail with your Helpdesk login information. You’ll be able to log in and start your Sleep History form right away. It’s that simple!
How have you handled nap transitions with your baby or toddler? Share your wisdom with us!
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Ginette says
Thanks Emily,
Thank you, I looked at all the articles you posted and I had already read them when this first started and we don’t seem to be much further ahead. Although my 6 month had 2 teeth come through so hopefully we can start sleep training him now. Last weekend we tried and not sure what was up, but it failed miserably, so hopefully this weekend we have more success.
My 2.5 year is still throwing us for a loop – like today he seemed exhausted so I knew he would fall asleep at quiet time, but he battled it until 2:30 and I woke him up about 3:30. Figured 5 hours later, 8:30 he should be ready to sleep, but here we are 10pm and the battle has finally just ended. Some nights, like tonight the battle takes hours and drains the life right out of me. Other nights; he had a few nights that he went down great. I don’t necessarily see a connection between if he naps or not and bedtime and it seems long for a regression?
If he struggles to wake up from his nap he must need it, no??
Does it become a limited time thing from 1-2 pm is quiet or sleep time and if he doesn’t fall asleep until 1:45 do I wake him up at 2?
and
What about those busy days when we aren’t home or done lunch until 1:30 or later?
Emily DeJeu says
@ Victoria — I’d say go with your gut on this one. If transitioning to one nap right now is causing stress, there’s certainly no harm in going back to a (modified) 2 nap schedule.
I’d say his shifting sleep needs (needing a 3 hour nap one day and a 1 hour nap the next) is all part and parcel of the sleep regression. He’s getting older, and his sleep needs are changing, but the changing process can definitely be messy and unpredictable!
Hang in there, Victoria — you’re doing great! 🙂
Victoria says
Oh heck Emily that is what I feared, but will pass soon I hope and get back to normal…but I’m now not sure if we should be dropping his 1 nap in the day if it’s sleep regression and not sleep transition…today he only had a nap of 1 hour, just got through to 7pm, but don’t know if we should now go back to 1 long morning sleep and 1 short afternoon one, but he probably won’t go down at 7.30 then??? All very complicated how can they one day need 3 hours a day and suddenly barely need 1!!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Victoria — I’d say you’re right on the money with the sleep regression observation. His recent late bedtimes are almost certain to be a sleep regression due to the huge developmental leaps you mention. Things will probably normalize within a few weeks.
Thanks for this update! We love hearing about how our readers are doing with their sleep training. 🙂
Victoria says
Well on Wednesday and Thursday he only had 1 sleep of an hour and a half for the whole day which is a big drop from his normal 3 hours a day! But he somehow managed to make it to bedtime and went down a little earlier by 7pm. Today he had 2 hours 15 mins which meant much happier lasting until 7.30pm. I still don’t get why he doesn’t always go right off now at bedtime as sometimes he’s still chatting and shaking the cot (!) at 8.15-8.30!! Is this just a bit of sleep regression as he’s non-stop walking and sleep transition and teething etc!!!!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Victoria — Sounds like you have a good plan! You mention trying one big nap after lunch yesterday — did it work? If it didn’t, you could try easing into it gently (bumping the start of the nap back by 15-20 minutes each day or two).
Let us know how it went yesterday. And thanks for commenting, Victoria!
Emily DeJeu says
@ Cindy Badger — thanks for this good advice! Much appreciated 🙂
@ Ginette — So sorry things are rough for you right now! That’s no fun (I know from personal experience!) In terms of what’s going on with your 2.5 year old — check out this article (https://www.babysleepsite.com/toddlers/5-things-about-2-year-old-toddler-sleep/) about the 2 year sleep regression. Sounds like it may apply to your situation.
You could also check out our free guide on toddler sleep (https://www.babysleepsite.com/toddler-sleep-training-secrets-free-ebook/) to see if there are some strategies in there that might help.
As for your teething 6 month old — check out this article on teething and sleep (https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/teething-sleep/) May be some insights there that’ll help.
Keep us posted on how it’s going, Ginette! And thanks for commenting. 🙂
Victoria says
Yes, what great timing for this article! My son is nearly 15 months and has started resisting his afternoon nap where he usually goes for an hour and a half and by the time he actually falls asleep he then waking so late it’s the ‘knock on’ effect for bedtime. He stills sleeps for an hour and half in the morning (except for the childminder where he refuses to do that and just has 1 long sleep after lunch). But just a morning sleep won’t last him until bedtime so I’m experimenting putting him down after lunch now today and hoping he will have 1 big sleep to see him through to bedtime..pheww!! This is complicated stuff. He’s been doing this for the childminder so fingers crossed, but I assume it’s nap transition rather than regression and of course the added ‘fun’ of canines cutting through…it will soon pass, it’s not forever…..
Ginette says
This is also great timing for my family. My 2.5 year old was always a great sleeper up until a few weeks before he turned 2 (also right before our 2nd was born), and bedtime became a battle some days and easy the next, but nap-time was always effortless. I started shortening his afternoon nap as he would go down between 1 and 2 and somedays would still be asleep at 4:30 if I let him. I would try and keep him within the 5 hours before and after as suggested on this site. Still some nights great others a battle.
Now, about a month ago he started struggling at nap time too, but when he does fall asleep I usually need to wake him up. Either way he has quiet time, but if he doesn’t sleep he is a nightmare by 5pm and still will fight bed time. Now also in the last few weeks he is waking either frequently in the night, or waking and wanting to be up. Plus night fears!
With a teething 6 month old as well; I’m exhausted and would love some advice 🙂
Cindy Badger says
Somehow I have forgotten how we handled nap transitions with my first, and we’re approaching one with #2 right now, I think. I guess the best advice I can offer is to keep your schedule clean and patiently adjust to the new schedule.