Toddlers transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common, after which will sleep 11-12 hours at evening plus 2-3 hours throughout the day. This text will inform you the right way to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap primarily based on my 15+ years as an toddler and toddler sleep advisor.
When Do Toddlers Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap?
As I discussed above, most toddlers will transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common. Nonetheless, in my a few years as a sleep advisor, I discover many 13-14-month-olds are able to transition. There are a couple of vital particulars to concentrate to earlier than you do the transition.
How Do You Know It’s Time to Transition to 1 Nap?
Though we’ve an in depth article with the signs to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap, right here’s a short abstract:
- It appears like you might be “working out of daytime” for 2 naps. If nighttime sleep has dropped beneath 10 hours and you’re feeling squeezed for time, it’s most likely time to transition.
- Your toddler has a split night, that means they’re awake and alert for 1-3 hours in the course of the evening.
- In case your toddler is skipping one among their naps 4 or extra occasions per week, it is likely to be time to transition to a 1-nap schedule.
- Lastly, in case your toddler’s bedtime rivals your personal or they will’t go to sleep till very late at evening, it is likely to be that their final wake window of the day has gotten too lengthy for a 2-nap schedule.
Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap: 3 Strategies
There are a number of methods to transition naps and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy that’s proper for each youngster. Even youngsters inside the identical family may do it in numerous methods. Listed below are 3 methods you are able to do this vital transition so you may get it proper in your youngster:
Technique 1: Squeeze the First Nap
In case your toddler tolerates being woken up from a nap, you possibly can attempt squeezing the primary nap out so the second nap turns into their noon and solely nap. To squeeze the primary nap out, you begin by steadily lowering the morning nap till it’s a catnap. Then encourage a 1-2-hour noon or afternoon nap. Right here’s an instance:
Instance of Shortening the Morning Nap
Day 1: Morning Nap = 50 minutes, Afternoon Nap = 1 hour 30-50 minutes, Whole = 2 hours 20-40 minutes
Day 2: Morning Nap = 45 minutes, Afternoon Nap = 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, Whole = 2 hours 30-45 minutes
Day 3: Morning Nap = Half-hour, Afternoon Nap = 2+ hours, Whole = 2 Half-hour to three hours
Finally, you’ll cease providing the morning nap whenever you assume your toddler is prepared.
Good For:
- Toddlers who tolerate being woken up from a nap
- Toddlers who nonetheless have a shorter (3 to three.5-hour morning wake window)
- Toddlers who’re skipping their afternoon nap however not prepared for a 1-nap schedule
Dangers:
- Your toddler should still skip their afternoon nap even with a brief morning nap wherein case you’d comply with Technique 3 beneath.
- Your toddler is likely to be overtired after a brief morning nap after which take a brief afternoon nap. Give it a couple of days earlier than you reevaluate. They could merely want to regulate.
Technique 2: Squeeze the Second Nap
With this technique, your objective is to steadily transfer the morning nap to later till it turns into the one-and-only nap. To implement this technique, you begin shifting the primary wake window later within the morning by 15-Half-hour day-after-day or each different day. Then permit the nap to be so long as your toddler desires. Provide a second nap after a 4-hour wake window. If it’s getting too late within the day, shorten this nap till it’s a 30-45-minute catnap (if that’s a problem.) Right here’s an instance:
Instance of Shifting the Morning Nap Later
Day 1: Morning Wake Window = 3.5 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (Notice: Bedtime may briefly get late)
Day 2: Morning Wake Window = 3.75 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours
Day 3: Morning Wake Window = 4 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (think about shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours
Day 4: Morning Wake Window = 4.25 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (think about shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (if afternoon nap occurred)
Day 5: Morning Wake Window = 4.5 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (think about shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (if afternoon nap occurred)
Day 6: Morning Wake Window = 4.75 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4.5 hours (no second nap)
Finally, the primary nap will get late sufficient and lengthy sufficient that the afternoon nap gained’t be taken or will probably be too late within the day to supply it. In case your toddler is usually taking a day nap and never on different days, supply bedtime earlier on these days (~6:30 or 7:00 PM).
Good For:
- Toddlers who do NOT tolerate being woken up from naps (cranky and fussy)
- Toddlers who skip the afternoon nap a number of days per week regardless of how brief or lengthy the morning nap is
- Toddlers with lengthy morning wake home windows, already
- Toddlers who may take a brief morning nap because the wake window will increase
Dangers:
- Your toddler may drop the afternoon nap in a short time
- Your toddler might take a brief morning nap, nevertheless, the afternoon nap permits them to catch up earlier than bedtime that evening, one of many advantages of this technique
- Your toddler may take two brief naps, as an alternative, however that is non permanent and a part of the transition in some circumstances.
Technique 3: Abrupt Change of the Schedule
The ultimate technique is just to maneuver your toddler to a 1-nap schedule abruptly. Often, if we do that it’s as a result of the morning wake window is already 4 hours (or longer) and the toddler is already skipping their afternoon nap most days. OR the toddler awake for an extended time frame in the course of the evening (insomnia). With this technique, you merely cease providing the second nap, transfer the primary wake window to 4 1/2 to five hours, and encourage a minimum of a 2+ hour nap.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap?
Usually talking, it takes roughly 2-3 weeks to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap. As well as, your toddler may want two naps a few times per week whereas they transition. This can curb a number of the overtiredness.
Some days could also be higher than others nevertheless it’s widespread, and anticipated, for overtiredness to happen. We will’t at all times keep away from that however after a couple of weeks, your toddler ought to modify. That’s, they’ll modify supplied they’ve the fitting 1-nap schedule for a toddler. Be certain you modify it to suit your youngster!
I hope this text has helped you along with your toddler’s schedule! When you want any assist, you understand the place to show.
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