Baby down to One Nap

Like many of the other mothers who have responded, my son went to one nap right around the time he was 11-12 months. I was surprised because everything I read said that should happen much later. But he just refused to take the second nap. We just tried to slowly make his first nap a little bit later and, if he took an early first nap, still encouraged him to take a second afternoon nap. Now he is 15 months and has been solidly on one 2-3 hour nap in the early afternoon for a month or so.

Much to my chagrin, my daughter gave up her morning nap right after her first birthday. We had just started swimming lessons in the morning and it distrupted her schedule. She never went back. Also, she has given up her afternoon nap at about 30 months. We now suggest "quiet time" at the time that she would normally be napping in the hopes that if she does need to rest she will do so. So far, just a lot of book reading with princess and stuffed animal play

My son is 17 months now. Since about 15 months, he's almost always taken only one nap. The past week, though, he's gone back to two. He's like a sleeping machine - sometimes 5 hours of nap a day. I've been told to expect the one nap around 18 months, and that the one nap will be longer than any one previous nap, but that hasn't been my experience. Understanding sleep is so important, but SO confusing! Just when you think you've figured it out, your little one changes on you. Good luck!

Well, I know every child is different. My 16 months old daughter is still taking 2 naps each day. I'm still enjoying the 2 naps (it's my 2 mini breaks each day)

Though, 1 long 2-3 hr nap would be good too. Some days she only takes 1 nap, due to we out & about, but 2 naps happen most of the time.

My little peanut dropped her morning naps around 12 months of age. she just started doing it on her own. As a result, she takes a 3 hour afternoon nap.

All 4 of mine switched to one nap around a year. I think my youngest went the longest with two naps, and she was 15 months. The other three were pretty close to 12 months or so. The babies let you now when they are ready for the switch! My youngest for example, would go down for her morning nap just fine, and sleep for about an hour -hour 1/2. When it came time for her afternoon nap, she would sit in her crib and talk and talk for a long time. Then when she was finally ready to go to sleep, I didn't want her to. It was late enough that it would mess her bedtime up for her to go to sleep then. She would then be really fussy for the last couple of hours before bed because she was SO tired. We switched to one nap after lunch and she sleeps about 3 hours. Bedtime is a breeze now too. They definitely let you know when it's time! : )

My daughter started going back and forth between 1-2 naps around 13 months. Needless to say, any type of schedule for the next month was out the door! But, around 14 months, she decided to make the switch to only 1 (from about 1-4p) a day. Good luck... when your daughter is ready, she'll let you know by her actions!

My older girl (now almost seven) gave up naps entirely at 18 months, and my younger girl lasted until 2 1/2. I would often find the older girl making sock puppets in the crib when she was supposed to be napping.

Sorry, no data on the ages that the second nap disappeared, but it became much more "liberating" when the naps were gone, as you're no longer trapped in the house during those hours.

Brenda,
My son dropped his morning nap at 13 months. He dropped it -- I wasn't ready! I had read that babies drop the morning nap around 18 months so I was really surprised how early he had dropped it. Hope that helps.
A.

My 1st son transitioned to one nap around 18 months and my second between 14 and 16 months. They both went back and forth for some time, i.e. some days 1 some days 2 depending on when they woke up. I think the only reason my older one held on longer was because he woke up earlier and couldn't make it to the afternoon. She may just be going through a developmental stage at 11 months (or not). Good luck!
-Karen C.

My twins dropped their morning nap around 16 months. It took some adjustment time. They are now 19 months and take an afternoon nap starting at 12:30 and they sometimes nap for about 3-4 hours. That's so much better than the short naps they were getting in the morning and afternoon!

Hi!
It was between 12 and 13 months for my son. He started taking a long time to fall asleep for his 2 naps and sometimes didn't really even sleep in the afternoon. Now he goes down between 12 and 1 and sleeps 2.5-3.5 hours. I love 3.5 hour naps!!! Don't stress about the switch--they'll adjust just fine!

L.

My son (who is 3 now) went down to 1 nap at about 9 1/2 months. I also have a 7 month old and I pray to God that he doesn't give up his morning nap that soon!

Best of luck!
B.

My son just started at 13 months. He goes down at 10 and sleeps until either 12 or 1. I am sure it will continue to get later and later as he gets older and become a PM nap. I knew he was ready because at 9/9:30 he wasn't tired so I pushed his nap up and then he became a bear at his PM nap and wouldn't take it or if he did it was short. I am sure you will know it is happening when the time comes. I also heard the transition can take awhile and be inconsistent in the beginning.