Toddlers are curious, enthusiastic, and energetic. Even though you might love spending every moment with them and experiencing the world through their eyes, you might also enjoy the break you get during their nap.
This nap time is very important. It not just gives you a chance to recharge yourself, but it also helps your toddler to recharge. This actually is a milestone to be celebrated.
Less naps means your child will keep you awake almost through-out the night.
But, how will you understand that, your toddler is ready to drop the nap? Read this article to know about it.
So, When Do Kids Stop Napping?
When a child drops their nap, there are no hard and fast rules. Every child is different. It depends on the kid's energy level, how much sleep they get at night, and how active they are during the day. Children typically won't give up naps until they are well into their preschool years. In accordance with a report by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), only half of children still nap at the age of four, and just 30 percent of children nap at the age of five.
However, any child, would require at least 12 hours of sleep a day. As a result, your child may stop napping sooner than a friend's child, or sooner than their siblings.
What Are the Signs That Your Child is Ready to Stop Napping?
In reality, your child's actions speak louder than their words. Therefore if:
Your Little One Exhibits High Energy Levels
Through-out the day, even if he’s not napping. That goes to show that she’ll stay awake from the morning till late in the evening, thus becoming fussy. Therefore, judge your child based upon what you feel is normal for her.
Giving Your Hard Time to Fall Asleep During Naptime
Since their night sleep leaves them well-rested, it is harder to get him to take naps. You might find that your toddler simply stays awake during the day instead of drifting off to sleep peacefully like they used to do. As a transitional strategy, you can replace naptime with a daily rest period where they can rest or relax for a few hours a day, usually in the afternoon.
Refusing to Nap
If he resists or fights you during naps, he is probably not tired enough. Either by refusing to stay in bed or by simply telling you he wants to stay awake; your child will make his feelings clear to you.
Having Trouble Sleeping at Night After a Nap
Sleeping at night becomes difficult after naps. This can be seen in many ways. Your child, for example, might considerably stay awake longer every night, which might result in disturbing your sleep as well. She might also not show any signs of bedtime sleepiness and might be energetic. She might also look fussy and irritable in the mornings.
She Might Have Outgrown Daytime Sleeping
Generally, toddlers need around 12 hours of sleep at night. But, if you see her getting her needed rest, naptime might become a thing of the past.
Know How to Handle This Transition?
Since the transition process can take place from a few weeks to months, you can take your time till she stops napping completely.
1. Include proper breaks after-lunch. Maybe you could put her in bed and allow her to lie down.
Make sure the area where your toddle takes rest is quiet and dark.
2. Use the cues she gives you. See if she’s really tired, during the day. Then she will be able to sleep a little more.
3. Try to put him to sleep late in the morning
4. Try to include some physical activity in his regular routine
5. To assist your child’s school or day care, incorporate quiet time into your schedule at home, where your child lies down or sits with a picture book, or a small stuffed animal or lovey.
6. Try not plan her nap time around your work schedule.
7. Try not to allow him to take naps for more than two hours
To Conclude
Dropping naps might indicate that your baby is becoming a big kid.
Author Bio: Mintu Mondal is a professal Digital Marketer at Cordlife India. He has contributed to several online research papers. However, he develops contents on pregnancy, childbirth, baby cord blood banking, umbilical cord lining and more.
