For most toddlers, this means a (hopefully lengthy) daily afternoon nap that parents can count on. Considering how fast sleep routines changed when your child was an infant, the toddler “one nap” period might seem like it will go on forever—but this is usually not the case. Most children begin dropping their naps by 5 years of age. The process can begin as early as 3 years old, though it’s more likely to take a longer time. Your child might continue to sleep 4 or 5 days a week, but not need a nap every day. That said, once your older toddler begins to revolt against naps, what should you do? What if your child is ready to give naps up—but you’re not? Here are a few strategies for parents to try. First and foremost, if you find that you’re constantly pushing back bedtime or your toddler is having a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep at night, their mid-day nap could be the problem. Try experimenting before you give up your child’s nap altogether. Scheduling a nap a little earlier in the day will give your toddler more time to wear themselves out before bedtime. Try to meet your toddler halfway. Instead of demanding nap time, try calling it “quiet time” or designating it as a special time when your toddler can relax on their own in the room. While quiet time might not be all that enticing to a busy toddler, not calling it “nap time” might help you sidestep tantrums. If your child is truly tired, they might play for a while before falling asleep. Either way, you’ll get some “quiet time.” Try signing them up for an activity, like toddler tumbling or soccer. The extra physical movement might encourage them to keep napping for a few more months (or years if you’re lucky).
