23 answers

Dropping a Nap

My son is almost 13 months old, and for the past week has not been wanting to go down for his morning nap. Most days he sings or talks until he eventually falls asleep, but this takes at least an hour or more! The days he hasn't gone to sleep, he just gets louder and louder until he's mad and crying. When I go to him, he's happy and doesn't seem tired. He then goes down perfectly for the afternoon nap. He has always been a great sleeper and napper. My daughter didn't drop this nap until 18 months! Has anyone else had a child who dropped the morning nap this soon? Just wondering if I should keep trying or give it up completely?? Thanks so much!

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thank you all for reassuring me that this is normal! I think I'm going to keep trying for another week, as for the past 2 days, he's taken a 1 1/2 hour morning nap! If he starts fighting it, he'll just have to give it up. He goes to bed by 7pm and is up between 6-7am, so even with one nap, he'll be getting the proper amount of sleep. The one nap will be easier for us to do things this summer, so maybe it's not so bad! Thanks for your advice-I really appreciate it!

Featured Answers

Both my sons dropped their morning naps and moved to the afternoon naps around this age. The after noon naps ended up being longer but that was fine. The evening bed time stayed the same. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi P.,

My now three year old daughter had dropped her morning nap by the time she was 7 months old, unlike my older girls who took two naps until they were about 18 months old. It's nothing to worry about, it just means that you have less free time to get things done!

Have a great day!

J.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Mine dropped her afternoon nap at 14 months, so we scooted the morning nap later and later until we got to noon-ish. During the transition time, we had to make her bedtime a little earlier (30mins-1hr) also. You might scoot your afternoon nap earlier. I have a book that says the switch to one nap can be anywhere between 12 and 24 months, with the average age being 16-18 months. I'd say your guy is a little young, but not too far off from the norm. Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful

Unfortunately it looks like he is dropping that nap. My son dropped his morning nap at 11-12 months. i thought it was too early, but he just wouldn't sleep in the morning anymore. He had always been a great sleeper too. I had to move his afternoon nap a little earlier, so you may have to do the same. Fortunately he is 2 1/2 and still takes a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoons. Good Luck, C.

1 mom found this helpful

My twin boys dropped their morning nap when they were about 12-13 months old. I was devastated, but they seemed to do just fine without it :) Now they take a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and sleep a good 12 hours at night.

1 mom found this helpful

Oh yes! Nap time is different from one kid to the next! My first stopped taking ALL naps at age 16 months when I put him in a toddler bed (because I had a 2 month old that needed the crib). Then my second stopped all naps at age 18 or was it 19 months. Then my 4th (now 2yo), doesn't take naps most days, but does some. My boys never did that! At 13 months, I believe is where all of my kids went to one nap a day. That magical number.

D.

1 mom found this helpful

Mine dropped his at 11 months. I'm not sure there's much of anything you can do to fight this one. I would try for maybe 3 weeks total to make sure he is giving it up - then you have to give it up. Sorry!

1 mom found this helpful

My son dropped his morning nap at about 11 months. He sleeps about 9.5 hours at night and takes a 1.5hour nap after lunch. He is now 18 months. They say total sleep for the day should be anywhere from 10-13 hours a day.

1 mom found this helpful

My son is 18 mos and he hasnt' had 2 naps a day since he was probably 13 mos old- I say if he sleeps well at night for you and takes one 2 hour nap a day- go ahead and drop it! all kids are different- my first son quit napping entirely the day he turned 3- my second son who is 5 still falls asleep almost 3 to 4 times a week for a nap - my third son only takes one nap a day (mid morning and doesnt go to bed till 7PM but sleeps a full 12 hours ) so I guess they will do what they need- sometimes they will drop a nap for while and then a couple weeks later they will want/need two naps again...if he doesnt' fall asleep within 15 minutes of putting him down- I would get him up and go about your day.
Good Luck
Nikki

1 mom found this helpful

My kids from day one have only had one nap in the afternoon, 2-430ish. But we get up at 830-9a every day which makes a difference. It all depends on the level of activity you child has in the morning and what time he gets up for the day. If he is a joy to deal with without taking a nap then drop the nap, but if he is getting cranky add it once in awhile or make it a little bit later by 30min. Good luck and enjoy the naps while you can

1 mom found this helpful

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