When did your toddler start to not need a nap everyday?

Question

My son (27-mo) still naps but all of a sudden is just not tired at night. He used to go to bed very easily, but now he's not at all tired until 10:00. It seems early to me for him to start dropping his afternoon nap, but maybe not?

I should have noted originally -- he is in day care, so I can't control his naps M-F. A few responses noted that as long as he's getting 12 hrs of sleep -- which he is, 2 hr nap and 10 hrs at night -- I guess it's not a problem. I just want my kid-free evenings back!

Answer 1

I have twins who are five. When they were two we stared to pass on the naps for a lot of reasons but the main reason was the same as yours. It took a week or two for them to adjust completely, but they started to fall asleep about 7 or 7:30 pm and would sleep throught the night.

Answer 2

My son started occasionally skipping naps starting at 2.5 years. Now, a few months later, he still takes naps most days, since some days when he doesn't get a nap, he gets obnoxious at night. Other days he handles not having a nap without a problem, especially if it's not more than one day in a row.

One thing that helps my son when he has problems getting to sleep is to wear him out before bedtime. For example, we'll go to a playground, take a walk, or just run around for a while and he'll sleep better.

Answer 3

it's a good idea to continue at least a relax time because there will be naps in pre-school and kindergarten depending on how long the school day is. i pop in a calming kids cartoon like "an american tail" or something like that and my boys will lay down with a pillow and blanket to relax and have quiet time while watching a movie. they have a toy room where they lay down so i have them clean up the toys and i turn out the lights so that there are no distractions. if you do not have a room like that available just use your room or the living room. my 5 year old is in all day kindergarten so they have lay down and be quiet time. and at home my 2 1/2 year old does the same, every once in a while he'll fall asleep. sometimes when a child doesn't seem tired at all they really aren't getting enough sleep or down time. my oldest was that way, he stopped taking naps when he was 2 1/2 then he wouldn't sleep at night. so that's why no matter what both of my boys get at least 1 1/2 hours of down time every day, whether they sleep or not.

Answer 4

Some children are different. If they are in daycare they pretty much are forced to nap until the age of 4-5. However if you stay at home. (I do) My kids stopped napping between 2 and 3 years old. At home they have a more relaxed schedule. If your child wakes up at 6 am and doesn't go to be until 10 pm then you should try to push a nap. But as long as he gets a good 12 hours of sleep, and doesn't get too crabby it may be time to say bye bye to naps. Not fair for us parents though I know I missed nap time when they got older. Good Luck!

Answer 5

It's an individual thing. If your son gets a total of 12 hours of sleep, there is no need for a nap.

My son is in daycare, so get does take a nap there even now (he is 3.5) - it has to do with routine and 'peer pressure". Around 2.5 (and on weekends), my son started taking a nap only if driven in the car. It continues to this day. Nap only in the car - otherwise "zonk out" around 9:30pm.

Answer 6

My toddler, same age, has done the very same thing. They go through weird little phases with their sleep. The way we got it back to before was to get her up a bit earlier than usual, then she would nap just a bit earlier, then she'd be ready for a decent bed time. It took a little time but she finally got there.
My other kids stopped napping when they were 3 and 4 but I still would have them take quiet rest times.