If your child suddenly resists going to sleep, it might be necessary to alter their daily nap routine. Understanding the “two to one” nap transition is crucial in this situation.
As their baby approaches the end of the first year, many parents have established a daytime routine that includes two naps—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, around the 12-month mark, infants often start resisting this pattern, prompting a change in their napping habits. Consequently, parents may find themselves pondering the timing and method for transitioning to just one nap a day.
“Most kids switch from two naps to one sometime between ages 1 and 2,” according to Harvey Karp, MD, author of The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep. It can be a bit tricky to figure out when and how to make the transition, but you can use this blueprint as your guide to switching to one nap.
Peace, quiet, and solitude are what many parents yearn for, making nap time seem almost magical. Even those who enjoy a lively household can appreciate the need for a moment to recharge, right?
A quiet house is often a rarity, usually only occurring when your little one is sound asleep.
While your newborn may have been happy to sleep throughout the day, as they grow, determining their sleep requirements, including naps, becomes more challenging. What are their needs and how frequent should naps be?
While peaceful tranquility cannot be guaranteed at all times, information on expected nap schedules, particularly the often-dreaded transition from two naps to one, is available. If you’re keen to establish a few hours of peace and quiet, continue reading for more details.
When do babies go to one nap?
Although there are common ages when children’s sleep patterns begin to consolidate, there isn’t a specific age when all children are ready to transition away from napping.
Your baby may shift to one nap per day sometime between 12 and 18 months, but this is quite a broad range. The truth is, each child’s sleep and developmental needs vary.
During the early years, the quantity of daytime sleep your child requires will depend on the duration and quality of their nighttime sleep.
General sleep timeline
Newborn
Newborns require at least 15 to 16 hours of sleep each day. Since they don’t sleep for extended periods at night, frequent daytime naps are necessary. It may seem like your entire day is devoted to feeding them and helping them fall back asleep.
4–5 months
As your child approaches 4 or 5 months of age, they generally require slightly less sleep, about 14 hours, and tend to sleep more during the night. Consequently, three to four naps throughout the day become a typical routine.
The daily schedule may consist of a cycle of 90 minutes to 2 hours of wakefulness followed by a nap. This pattern, however, may shift based on your child’s developmental progress, self-soothing skills, and other factors.
6–8 months
By the age of 6 months, your baby might be down to just two or three naps a day if they’re sleeping soundly at night.
The length of the naps also plays a role in determining their frequency. Babies who have longer naps, lasting over an hour and a half, may nap less often than those who take shorter naps of 30 to 45 minutes, who may require more frequent naps.
9–12 months
By the age of 9 months, your baby will likely be sleeping for 10 to 12 hours at night and taking two naps during the day, totaling 3 to 4 hours of daytime sleep.
Sometimes, they might attempt to forgo a nap as they reach new milestones—crawling or pulling themselves up in their crib can be far more exciting than sleeping! However, you’re likely to end up with a very cranky little one if they miss out on their two naps.
Past 1 year
Many toddlers start transitioning to one nap per day between 14 and 18 months, but this varies greatly from child to child. The readiness for this change should be assessed based on the total amount of sleep they receive and other indicators of readiness.
While some children may stop napping entirely before reaching preschool age, others may continue to nap until they are in kindergarten.
Signs Your Child Still Needs Two Daily Naps
Unsure about transitioning from two naps to one? If you observe the following indicators—suggested by Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Nap Solution—it’s likely your child still requires two naps each day:
- Your child is younger than 12 months.
- Your child may play, resist, or fuss before naptime, yet consistently sleeps for an hour or more.
- Your child often falls asleep during daytime car rides.
- Your child becomes fussy or seems tired when a nap is missed.
- Your child is adjusting to new life changes (like a new sibling, illness, or starting daycare) that could be affecting their nap routine.
- Your child skips naps when out and about but manages two solid naps at home.
Signs Your Child Is Ready for One Nap a Day
Most babies are prepared to switch to a single nap daily between 15 and 18 months, research indicates. However, each baby is unique.1 Your child might exhibit various signs indicating the need for an adjustment in their napping routine. The No-Cry Nap Solution outlines several common indicators of readiness for this change:
- Your child may play or fuss instead of napping, resulting in a brief nap or no sleep at all.
- They can stay awake during car rides in the morning without falling asleep.
- If they skip a nap, they remain happy and full of energy until the next naptime or bedtime.
- They may resist one nap while having no issues with the other.
- Kim West, a children’s sleep therapist and coauthor of The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight, suggests, “If your toddler’s sleep patterns consistently change for about two weeks, it might be time to move to one nap.”
When do you know it’s time for a baby to transition to just one nap?
As your child grows, you might observe certain signs suggesting the need to transition from two naps to one. These signs can include:
Skipped naps or difficulty sleeping or resting
It might be time to reconsider your child’s nap schedule if they are taking longer to fall asleep during nap time and often miss at least one of their daily naps.
If your child falls asleep on their own, it’s a sign they need the rest. Therefore, if they easily settle down for both naps, they probably still require the second one!
Even if your child doesn’t fall asleep during nap time, they might still need time to rest if they show signs of tiredness such as rubbing their eyes, yawning, or having lower energy levels.
They may not sleep but may instead use their nap time to relax and engage in quiet play without any trouble. That’s perfectly fine as well.
Missed naps have little impact
If your little one remains cheerful and behaves normally until their next sleep time, even when they miss a nap, they might be ready to skip the extra snooze. When your baby seems eager to embrace the day without a second nap, it could be a sign they no longer require it.
Conversely, a lack of sleep can result in irritability, hyperactivity, or even unpleasant behavior. Therefore, if your child’s emotions become more volatile later in the day, they might not be prepared to transition to just one nap.
Trouble with nighttime sleep
When a baby takes two naps, they might find it difficult to fall asleep at night and remain alert by bedtime. Remember, taking naps during the day can mess with your ability to sleep at night.
If your child is getting many hours of sleep during the day, particularly in the later hours, this may hinder their ability to fall asleep quickly at night.
If you’ve observed that your child’s nighttime sleep has deteriorated and you wish to improve it, consider increasing their level of activity during the day.
While this may be beneficial, it’s also advisable to curtail the amount of sleep they get later in the day. It’s indeed a delicate balance to achieve.
Are naps necessary?
What if your child seems to resist sleep? Are naps truly essential?
Naps not only provide parents with a much-needed break but also play a crucial role in a child’s brain development. A 2018 research review indicates that naps are the perfect opportunity for children to consolidate memories and process information.
Naps are particularly important in the early years of a child’s life, but as they grow and their brain develops, the need for naps may diminish. The exact age at which this occurs is not clear, as each child is different.
Therefore, it’s essential to observe your child for signs indicating they are ready to alter their sleeping habits.
Takeaway
For parents, the temptation to compare your child with others is natural. Who spoke first? Who has a larger vocabulary? Who walked first?
However, when it comes to sleep, comparisons should be approached with caution. Each child has unique sleep requirements and different needs for rest and recharging throughout the day.
If you’re concerned that your child is not sleeping enough, or if you need help transitioning to one nap, consider looking for local parent sleep support groups in your area.
In the absence of a support group or if you require further assistance, a sleep consultant might be a valuable resource. They can assist in developing a strategy to address your child’s sleep challenges.
Lastly, if you suspect that your child’s sleep patterns—or the lack thereof—are causing health issues, it’s crucial to inform their pediatrician to ensure any medical concerns are properly addressed.
