Do Toddlers Need a Nap?

Just when you've settled into your baby's twice per day nap routine, everything changes. Toddler napping patterns change as your child transitions from two naps to one, then eventually to none at all. Most toddlers still need a nap each day, but you know your child's sleep needs and patterns best.

Sleep Needs

From one to three years old, your toddler needs 10 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours. This total includes both naps and nighttime sleep. Between one year and 16 to 18 months old, many toddlers continue to take two shorter naps each day. By 18 months old, most toddlers take one longer afternoon nap. Between two and five years old, most children drop their nap, moving bedtime back accordingly to get all of their sleep during the night.

Benefits

Napping can help to refresh and revitalize not only toddlers, but also tired parents. According to Dr. Marc Weissbluth, naps can leave your child ready to play and learn due to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Toddlers who nap often keep a later bedtime since they meet some of their sleep needs during the day, allowing you and your little one more time together in the evening.

Encouraging Napping

While you can't force a child to sleep, create a positive environment to help your child nap. Arrange your day to allow for naps at home, rather than in the car or stroller. Create a nap time routine that resembles a shortened version of your usual bedtime routine, perhaps incorporating a favorite song or story. Reluctant nappers can rest with quiet books or toys. Much of the time, the reluctant napper will doze off while playing quietly in his bed.

Transitions

Nap time transitions happen in phases; they typically come with some fussiness or crankiness, as well as other changes in her schedule. During the transition from two naps to one, consider feeding her lunch earlier and expect a longer daily nap. Once your toddler no longer sleeps at nap time and goes through the day without fatigue or crankiness, maintain a daily period of quiet rest or reading time to help him refresh without a nap. Expect that an early bedtime will be in order to allow for the same amount of sleep without the daytime nap. Outgrowing naps happens at a different age for each toddler. Until your toddler stays awake all day without fussiness and transitions easily into bedtime, he needs an afternoon nap.