When do toddlers stop napping?

As your baby grows into a toddler, sleep will still be a priority, and this may include an afternoon nap. Not getting enough sleep can affect their mood and ability to concentrate, learn and develop. But remember, every child is unique, and you’ll need to take cues from them to understand when they’re ready to stop daytime naps.

We’re here to help guide you with everything nap related.

Firstly - Are naps important?

Nighttime sleep is important, but daytime naps for little ones matter just as much. Naps give their bodies and minds time to rest and recharge. As they sleep, your toddler is busy processing information from their day.

They also produce hormones that help to stimulate growth and appetite. From a developmental perspective, making sure they get their sleep is crucial.

What age do toddlersstop napping?

As they grow, the amount of daily sleep your toddler needs decreases. Initially, this daily sleep is distributed between naps and nighttime sleep. The exact age at which toddlers no longer need a daytime nap varies for every child and depends on many factors, such as their nighttime sleep habits, whether they attend preschool or nursery, and many others.

Around age three, almost all children will still nap at least once a day. However, as they grow and the amount of overall sleep they need decreases, they will shorten or drop the daytime nap, and by age six, most children no longer need naps.

Below is a quick reference guide on hours of sleep by age. But remember, every child is different so take your cues from them and speak to a paediatrician if you are not sure.

Signs that your toddler has grown out of naps

Of course, every child is different, and the age your toddler might stop napping can be well before or after the averages.

Keep in mind, that the transition from naps to no naps might not be linear. One day, your toddler may need one, and the next, they may not. The length of their naps may also become shorter over time.

Some children will transition to no naps naturally, but if not, there are signs to look for which can give you a nudge that your toddler is ready to stop napping.

• They tell you – this may seem obvious, but if they don’t seem tired at naptime, they may genuinely not need a nap.
• It takes longer to get them to sleep than the length of time they nap. This can mean your child no longer needs the extra sleep during the day.
• It takes them longer to fall asleep at bedtime and they wake up early – after napping during the day, the amount of sleep they need at night decreases.
• They may be ready to reduce the time or number of naps.
• When they miss a nap, they cope well with activities and don’t seem exhausted or grumpy.

The journey to no naps

It might take some time for your child to get used to not taking naps. During this transition, you may need to change bedtime, as even on days without napping, they still need the same amount of sleep.

If they're not ready to stop napping altogether, try replacing nap time with quiet time, whether sleeping or not. This rest can help with memory consolidation and recharging for the rest of the day. Just like nap time, quiet time should be in a specific place and time. Turn down the lights, play soothing music and offer your little one quiet activities like reading, colouring or doing puzzles. 

An added benefit of quiet time is that your child can engage in independent play, which helps develop creativity and problem-solving skills. Avoid replacing nap times with activities that can make your child drowsy, such as watching TV or going for a drive. Avoid loud activities yourself to encourage quiet play.

Tips on how to survive with no naps

If your little one happily transitions to quiet time, make sure you praise and encourage them. If you notice they’re starting to get restless, sit with them quietly and talk about how well they are doing.

Differentiating between day and night will also help your child to associate night with sleep time, so in the evenings, you could try to use quiet, calm voices, keep the lights low and introduce a bedtime routine. Bedtime routines can help promote sleep. When your child no longer needs a daytime nap, they’ll need a good night’s sleep. 

Some ways you can help your child prepare for sleep include:

• Having a warm bath
• Dimming the lights and closing the curtains or blinds
• Reading a bedtime story
• Saying ‘good night’ with praise and positivity

Remember, life with a toddler can be unpredictable and changing to no naps is a big transition. Some children adapt quickly, whereas others may take a few weeks or more. Stay consistent and be patient- you’ll get there.