4 Signs Your Child Is Ready To Stop Napping

Napping during early childhood is invaluable. Your infant or toddler gets much-needed rest, and you get an hour or two of free time. But 1 in every 3 children have given up their nap by the time they’re 4.

“There are some basic ages when it’s more common for kids to drop their naps, but every kid is different,” says pediatrician Lisa Diard, MD. “Pay attention to your child’s behavior before, during and after naps, and you’ll see telltale signs that they’re ready to stop napping.”

Dr. Diard shares what you need to know about the transition from napping and why the timing matters.

Why sleep is critical for young children

Naptime is very important during infancy and toddlerhood. Young children need more sleep than adults, and naps help them get it.

“Sleep allows young children to heal,” Dr. Diard says. “While a child sleeps, their brain rests and sleep restores their mind. They physically feel better and progress through developmental milestones better.”

In their first year, infants can nap up to four times daily — often depending on how well they sleep at night. They can stay awake longer as their brains mature, so they need less sleep and fewer naps.

But don’t rush the process, Dr. Diard cautions. Getting enough sleep is necessary for the healthy development of:

• Attention
• Learning and memory
• Mood
• Motor skills
• Resiliency
• Vocabulary

When do toddlers stop napping?

As a parent or caregiver, you may be reluctant to let naptime go. But it’s bound to happen, typically between ages 3 and 6.

According to the Sleep Foundation, general napping tendencies include:

• Age 18 to 24 months: Children may transition to one nap daily
• Age 3: Nearly all children still take at least one nap
• Age 4: 60% still nap
• Age 5: 30% still nap
• Age 6: Less than 10% still nap

“Children need a certain amount of total sleep in a day,” Dr. Diard states. “When they need more than they get at night, a nap fills the difference.”

For example, most 2-year-olds need about 14 hours of sleep. They may get 11 or 12 hours at night, and the other two will happen during the day.

“They no longer need naps once they get all their sleep at night,” she adds.

Signs your kid may be ready to stop taking naps

How much naptime your child gets and how it’s organized (many shorter naps versus fewer long naps) may depend on many factors, including:

• Age
• Maturity
• Nighttime sleep habits
• Physical development
• Whether they attend preschool or childcare

Dr. Diard shares some signs that your child may be ready to transition away from napping.

1. They aren’t fussy before naptime

As you’ve surely noticed, kids typically get cranky when they need a nap. So, pay attention if naptime approaches and your child still seems happy.

“If it’s 2 p.m. and your child is content and playing, they may not be tired,” Dr. Diard says.

2. They take longer to fall asleep at naptime

Does it seem like your toddler is just biding their time until naptime is over? Tired children typically fall asleep quickly, so if your child isn’t tired come naptime, that could be a sign that they don’t need it anymore.

“See if your child is hanging out in their bed for 30 minutes or more before falling asleep,” Dr. Diard recommends. “That’s usually a good sign that they aren’t tired or don’t need the entire naptime.”

3. They take longer to fall asleep at night

Some children will nap well and fall asleep easily. But later, when it’s bedtime, they’re full of energy and don’t show any signs of being tired.

Toddlers should be tired at bedtime, Dr. Diard says. If your child isn’t, they may be getting too much daytime sleep. But don’t confuse a refusal to go to bed for not being tired. Pay attention to your child’s mood:

• Are they in a fairly good mood at bedtime but just not tired? That’s a sign you may need to drop the nap.
• Are they acting crabby and showing negative behaviors? They might still need that nap, even if they don’t seem tired at bedtime.

4. They wake up earlier in the morning

Children who nap well and go to bed easily but suddenly wake an hour or two earlier may not need as much sleep anymore.

“The goal is for your child to eventually get most or all of their sleep at night,” Dr. Diard explains. “If naps start to interfere with that, it’s time for them to go.”

Tips for the naptime transition

Any time you change your child’s routine, they may become temporarily fussy or irritable, especially when that change affects their sleep. But a few transition tips can help you lessen the impact:

• Turn naptime into quiet time. Keep your child’s downtime consistent, which helps maintain a routine and gives them time to rest — even if they don’t sleep. Give them some options for things they can do in their quiet time, like sitting in bed with a book or doing a puzzle.
• Expect napping to be inconsistent at first. One day, your child may seem to need a nap, and the next day, they don’t. It’s OK if they fall asleep, but limit the time they spend snoozing so it doesn’t interfere with bedtime.
• Don’t overschedule your afternoon. When your child first gives up napping, they may be crankier in the afternoon and evening. Try not to put them in situations that could trigger a tantrum.
• Consider an earlier bedtime. If your child starts having a hard time in the evening, begin their bedtime routine a little earlier. Just 30 minutes earlier may help them bridge the gap between morning wake-up and evening bedtime.

“Transitioning away from naptime is a process. It won’t happen overnight,” Dr. Diard says. “Follow your child’s lead. Once they’re no longer taking naps, congratulate yourself on reaching an important developmental milestone.”