It’s a parent and caregiver’s worst nightmare: You spend (what feels like) forever trying to get the baby to sleep through the night, and you finally have them on a consistent nap schedule (if you’re lucky), only for your precious routine to be upended by the now toddler declaring a sudden abhorrence for daytime sleep. Is it illness, a sleep regression or is it the dreaded end of toddler naptime?
Ultimately, because toddlers are their own unique beings, “the transition from one to no naps is usually one that is long and nonlinear,” says Krupa Playforth, a pediatrician at Warm Heart Pediatrics and founder of The Pediatrician Mom in Tysons Corner, Virginia. A 3-year-old may begin to struggle to nap but still sleep through the night, or you may notice that they nap some days but not others.
Because the nap-to-no-nap journey is not cut-and-dried, the experts we spoke to share common signs that a toddler may be preparing to drop their nap, as well as tips for managing the transition.
At what age do toddlers stop napping
Most infants and toddlers follow a regular pattern in terms of the number and length of naps, with most children stopping naps between ages 3 and 5, according to Playforth..
Sleep and nap recommendations for infants and toddlers
What normal sleep looks like, from infanthood to toddlerhood, can differ from child to child, but Playforth cites the recommendations from The American Academy of Sleep Medicine for total sleep and number of naps by age, below.
| Age | Number of naps | Hours of sleep per 24 hours |
| 4-12 months | 3-4 naps | 12-16 hours |
| 12-18 months | 1-2 naps | 11-14 hours |
| 18 months-2 years | 1 nap | 11-14 hours |
| 3-5 years | Varies | 10-13 hours |
4-12 months
Newborn sleep is unpredictable, says Mona Amin, pediatrician and international board-certified lactation consultant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, once babies reach 4 months, their sleep will start to consolidate, and they will begin to sleep longer stretches at night.
12-18 months
Around their first birthday, most children will nap for approximately 1 to 2 hours, with two naps per day until 18 months, says Erica Kalkut, pediatric neuropsychologist and executive clinical director at LifeStance Health.
18 months-2 years
“As they approach age 2,” Kalkut adds, “most children will nap once per day for 1 to 2 hours.” By their second year, she adds that children will have started to develop a circadian rhythm, “meaning that their duration of sleep at night should be longer than their duration of naps during the day.”
3-5 years
“Many 3-year-olds still benefit from a nap,” says Amin, but by 4-5 years old, “most children are ready to stop napping.” However, she adds that this “transition from naps to just nighttime sleep is gradual and varies from child to child.”
Signs a toddler is ready to stop napping
Toddlers can stop napping for numerous reasons, such as an illness or a growth spurt. However, if you suspect it’s more than a simple sleep regression, here are some signs that could support your suspicions.
They are less tired at naptime
One of the most common signs a toddler is nearing the end of their napping phase of life is that they struggle to fall asleep at naptime, says Amin.
Amy Volle, a restaurant server and parent of three in Edina, Minnesota, shares that her two older children stopped napping at 3 years old and just shy of 2 years old. With her older child, his naps got progressively shorter, whereas her daughter started refusing naps frequently before she gave them up for good.
They are struggling with nighttime sleep or waking earlier in the morning
Because their sleep consolidates as they grow older, if toddlers sleep more than they need to during the day, it can cause problems at night. When young children nap too long or too much during the day, they may then sleep for shorter durations at night,” says Kalkut.
Volle shares that when her son did nap, he was then “really difficult to get to sleep that night or wouldn’t stay asleep.”
Struggling to sleep at bedtime is a telltale sign that their sleep needs are shifting, says Amin. She adds that “another sign to watch for is waking up earlier in the morning. Naps add to their total sleep for the day, so if they’re waking up earlier, it might be because they’ve already met their sleep needs.”
Shorter or skipped naps without impact
“If [a] child consistently skips naps but still has the energy to make it through the day without being overly tired, it might be a sign they’re ready to drop naps,” says Amin.
Strategies to try before giving up naps for good
Before you wave the white flag, there are a couple “checks” the experts we spoke to suggested you try before giving up on naptime.
Give it two weeks
Because periods of nap refusal are common, especially between 18 months and 2 years, Amin advises caregivers “continue offering naps consistently for two weeks before making any decisions. If they refuse every nap in that time frame, it may be time to consider dropping it. If they take even one nap, keep on offering until it’s a straight two-week refusal.”
Move the nap earlier
A nap routine that isn’t right for a toddler can also wreak havoc on their overall sleep hygiene, says Playforth. “Incorrectly timed daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — if a toddler naps too late in the afternoon (even a catnap), they may not build up enough sleep pressure to fall asleep at their regular bedtime.”
Common nap transition challenges and tips for coping
1. The problem: Crankiness or mood swings come out in full force
The solution: Gradually reduce naptime
Even though it might feel tempting to completely drop the nap cold turkey when a toddler is already fighting naptime, Amin advises a slow phaseout. “Gradually shortening their naptimes over the course of a few weeks can ease the transition,” she says. “This allows them more time to adjust to less daytime sleep.”
2. The problem: They are overtired in the evening
The solution: Adjust bedtime for longer night sleep
Without a nap, the toddler may initially have a hard time making it to their regular bedtime without becoming overtired, which “can lead to more bedtime battles or difficulty settling down,” says Amin. She suggests moving their bedtime earlier, if need be, during this transition.
However, Amin adds that it’s important to keep your routine as-is where you can. Despite changes like moving their bedtime up, “a predictable bedtime routine with calming activities, such as reading a book, can help remind children that it’s time for bed.”
3. The problem: Both toddler and caregiver no longer get a ‘break’
The solution: Implement quiet time
“When [the] child seems like they may be ready to drop the nap, introduce rest time instead,” recommends Kalkut. “Having short times during the day to reduce stimulation and recharge is equally important for young child brain health as naptime is.”
“During this time,” she recommends that you “read to [them], listen to soft music or allow them to lay with you, a blanket or other soothing object. Avoid screens, shows or other stimulating activities during this time so that their brain can reset before they jump back into all the fun that the rest of the day will bring.”
4. The problem: Daycare or preschool has a nap requirement
The solution: Communicate with staff about quiet activities
When her daughter dropped her nap at 2 years old, Caitlin Clever, an occupational therapist and parent of three in Larchmont, New York, found that her biggest challenge in the transition was the staff at her daughter’s daycare. Because her daughter didn’t nap, “She was labeled ‘bad’ when she really just needed something to keep her occupied,” says Clever. She adds that she ultimately made her daughter a busy bag to keep her occupied during naptime.
“It can be tricky if [a] child is ready to drop naps, but their program has scheduled naptimes,” says Amin. “Try talking to caregivers about alternatives, such as quiet activities. This way, [the] child can still relax without feeling the pressure to nap.”
When to seek professional advice
“If it feels that a change [in the child’s sleep routine] is longer than expected or not typical, it can help to keep a record of [their] daily sleep times so you can look for trends across the week,” says Kalkut. “Are there changes in the routine or schedule that might be causing the disruption?” If not, or if in doubt, she advises checking in with a pediatrician, child psychologist, therapist or sleep medicine specialist for additional help.
Amin adds that if there are behavioral concerns, such as excessive daytime tiredness or hyperactivity or if a child “experiences breathing issues during sleep, such as snoring or gasping, these should always be discussed with their pediatrician.”
A final word on what age toddlers stop napping
Because every child’s transition away from napping can vary significantly, Playforth emphasizes the importance of being flexible during this time. “Even after [they have] technically ‘dropped’ their nap,” she says, “you might find there are days when they still need to nap a little.”
Amin adds that parents and caregivers maintain realistic expectations. “Understand that there will be an adjustment period and give both yourself and [the] child some grace,” she says. “It’s common for children to experience behavioral challenges, like more meltdowns than usual, as they adjust to staying awake for longer periods.”
By recognizing each child’s individual needs and taking a slow and measured approach to any changes, you can help create a smoother naptime transition for both of you.
