As many of us already know, naps are one of God’s precious gifts for new parents. However, nothing lasts forever! And as your little one gets older, there will come a time when they won’t need as much shut-eye during the day.
So, how do you know when to transition to three naps? Or two naps? Or — dare we say — one?
As infant care specialists in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston & beyond, we’re revealing everything you need to know below. Stay tuned for three signs it’s time to drop a nap.
When Do Babies Drop a Nap?
Because all babies are different, their developmental timelines are unique! However, here’s a general overview of when babies typically drop a nap:
4 naps to 3 naps. Usually, around four or five months old.
3 naps to 2 naps. Usually, around six to seven months old.
2 naps to 1 nap. Usually, around 12 to 15 months old.
1 nap to no nap. Usually, around three to four years old.
3 Signs It’s Time to Drop a Nap
If your baby is at or near the appropriate age window for dropping a nap, keep your eyes peeled for the following signs:
Your Baby Starts Refusing Their Naps
One of the most common signs it’s time to drop a nap is when naps start to shorten. (And eventually, your little one will start refusing their nap altogether.) More often than not, this simply means your baby needs longer wake windows. Dropping a nap during the day can help your baby or toddler be tired enough to take longer, restful naps.
Of course, make sure this disruptive pattern has lasted at least a week before officially dropping the nap.
Longer Wake Times are Disrupting Bedtime
It’s natural for wake windows to lengthen as your child gets older. And eventually, this causes your child to naturally drop a nap. If your little one starts battling bedtime, they might need to be awake longer before being put down. We recommend an awake window of at least 3 hours before bedtime (between 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm).
Your Baby is Waking Up Earlier than Normal
Early morning wake-ups can be incredibly frustrating for parents. However, they’re often a sign it’s time to drop a nap. If your baby is oversleeping during the day, they’ll have trouble sleeping through the night and early morning. (Their sleep needs have already been met!) However, dropping a nap usually fixes this problem.
How to Drop a Nap?
We recommend dropping a nap when your baby is at or near the appropriate age window and has demonstrated any — or all — of these signs it’s time to drop a nap. For some little ones, dropping a nap is second nature. However, others might need a bit of help.
Our Newborn Nightingales and Nurses can help you determine the perfect wake windows and nap schedule for your little one. And when the time comes to drop a nap, we’ll walk you through every step of the process. Just contact us to get started!
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