How long should children sleep during nap time?

Answer 1

Mine use to sleep about 2 hours. As long as they got to bed well at night, let them sleep.

Answer 2

I think much of it depends on the age of the child. For example, when my children were infants, they took two naps every day for at least an hour or two each time. Then as they became toddlers, they would take one long nap in the afternoon.
My 22 month old son goes down for a nap at about 1:00 and sleeps for 1 or 2 hours , sometimes longer depending on how tired he is or if he's in a growth spurt.
My older children (school age) only nap if they want to with the exception of my 6 year old who I will suggest "quite time" when he's cranky.
For the most part, each child is different and will let you know when they're tired and in need of a good nap. I very seldom wake them up from nap time because I figure they will wake when their little bodies are ready.
Take into consideration growth spurts as well.
The best way to know for sure, is to make sure your child is on a schedule of some sort.
Good luck! I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Depends on how long you want them to sleep at night? I never worried about nap time. If my kids were tired, they took a nap, if not? they did not. Naps were invented so that mom's could have a break during the day. No other reason. I never needed a break. They way I looked at it, a nap made the difference of a 6 hour night sleep or an 8 - 9 hour night sleep. If kids are tired, they will sleep. Just like eating.. they will eat when they are hungry, just like us.

Answer 4

It depends on how old the child is and how long the child sleeps at night. An average 2-3 y/o should get 12-14 hours of sleep a day. If he sleep 11 hours at night, than a 1 or 2 hour nap during the day would suffice.

Answer 5

It actually depends on the childs age and their health. The younger the child the more naps and length they usually need. On average a child between 1 and 4 yrs usually only needs 1 to 1 1/2 hrs a day for a nap and 10 to 11 hrs at night. Like I said though, if a child is sick or just having a bad time at night , they may require more. Also , you want your child to sleep at night and through the night so picking a time for the nap and the bedtime and keeping on a schedule really will help. I learned so many things when i received my Child Development ***. degree in childcare but none of that matters like good old fashioned experience. I have learned this now with my son, our third child. I wish I had learned it with my first :O)

Answer 6

Recent research shows that kids build connections between neurons during sleep. Never underestimate the need for sleep. Toddlers (1-3) need between 9-13 hours per day. Preschoolers (4-5) need 10-12 hours a day. Toddlers can break up thier sleep into one or two naps plus night sleep. Preschoolers may want to sleep only at night and may try to skip naps all together. Infants of course should nap whenever they want. And on the weekends-parents should take a nap when the kids do:) Saves your sanity!

Answer 7

As a mother with 5 children who I insisted take naps, you should let them sleep until they wake up. Of course check in on them time to time. Some say if a child takes a late nap then they will not sleep at all the up coming evening. I beg to differ, I've always made nap time a special time not something for them to dread, so when the evening comes, can you believe I have a 2 year old who says, "mom, I'm sleepy, gonna go night night". And Life Is Good!!

Answer 8

My 16 month old sleeps for 3 hours but he has been known to take either two naps a day or 4 hour naps. He still manages to go to bed around 7:30 pm. I guess it depends on the child and the age of that child.

Answer 9

There is not exact time limit to how long a child should nap. Generally, most children need to wake from their nap 5 to 6 hours before they are expected to be ready to go to sleep at night.

Answer 10

It depends on the age of the child. If they sleep to long then they wont sleep for you well at night. But for most I would think 1-2 hours. An early afternoon nap is best.

Answer 11

Usually it is a good idea to allow them to sleep between 2-3 hours.No longer.
Of course it depends on each individual child.Some children function just fine without a nap. Some need less time, some need more. But the rule of thumb is less then 3 hours.