When should my child stop napping?

Many children can benefit from regular naps until age 3, however some toddlers are ready to drop naps earlier. Offer a nap period every day even as they begin to skip naps. As your child gets older they may not fall asleep every day, but you can have your child stay in their rest space — bedroom or bed — for a specified period even if they are not actually sleeping. Their body and mind will benefit from the regular down time, and you may find they fall back into a normal napping pattern.

That said, between ages 2 and 5 years old, most children become biologically ready to give up regular napping. Here are signs they might be ready to go:

• Never (or rarely) sleep during rest time. Several consecutive days of no naps.
• Able to stay awake for a regular bedtime without a nap. If your child can make it through those last few hours of the day without seeming delirious, they might not need their naps anymore.
• If you notice midday naps begin to sabotage bedtime efforts, you can also begin to decide the nap isn’t worth a resistant bedtime experience.

 

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.