Going from One Nap to Two...

Hi N.,

I noticed my boys being ready around the same age. My youngest was maybe a little older.

I remember allowing a nap to be "missed" one afternoon to see how it went. It made for a cranky baby....period :O)
How I eventually switched:

Skipped the afternoon nap about every 3 days, yet allowed it the other days. Then slowly moved the am nap a little bit later each time (if they were ready).

You will know after the very first attempt if your daughter is ready to only have 1 nap.........or not :O)

~N. :O)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi N.,
My older daughter kept two naps until she was two, but her naps were always short (less than 45 mins). My 21 month old dropped her morning nap around 18 months, but it was gradual and she still sometimes has trouble staying awake until after lunch. If we're in the car around lunch time and she hasn't napped, it's tough to keep her awake! Sounds like your daughter is ready for one nap.

Both my younger two kids switched from one to two naps at about a year. They are 3 and 2 now and both still take a 2 to 4 hour nap. They go to bed around 8:15, sleep all night long and normally wake up between 7 and 8

My daughter started only taking one nap on the weekends around 14 months, but she still takes two at day care. Go with your gut and follow her lead. There is no wrong answer.

Hi Nicole,
My 16mo old is going through something similar. He definitely needs his morning nap, but sometimes the afternoon is just playtime in his crib. I've been more lax on doing things that may interfere with his naps to see how he does, but I've read that it is usual to lose the morning nap around this age; and most kids are at 1 nap by age 2.

We are going to keep his naps as long as he will, as I am pregnant and need the rest! But he does better if we get him up at a regular hour (630am) and then put him down regularly for nighttime (around 8). So we'll see! Good luck and hopefully it will mean a longer afternoon nap for her! --A.

Hi N.,

Most toddlers change from two naps to one some time between 12 and 18 months, so it sounds like your daughter is right on track. My son dropped his morning nap at around the same time. It was great as it freed up our mornings to do more social activities.

If you need any advice on how to do it, please just ask.

All the best, D.

Sounds like you already know the answer. "MY almost 15 month old daughter seems to be heading in that direction.." I would continue to follow her cues, if it seems like she is try it for a day and see how she does. She may go a few days with 1 nap and then need a day with 2 naps. It is trial and error. Listen to yourself and follow her cues. Like I said, sounds like you already know the answer.

18 mos is the standard, but it isn't like a switch is flipped. It is entirely possible that your 15 mos daughter might be headed there. Some days you will need to do 2 naps and some days, 1. It is okay to have it be every other day until she is totally ready to have just 1 nap. Also you may need to have an earlier bed-time until she gets accustomed to 1 nap.

Hi, N.--

My girl did so at two and a half, but I remember the last few months having to struggle to put her down twice! If she is very active it may be better to let her have a longer nap in the PM...however it goes, my recommendation is that you yield to what comes otherwise you'll go crazy. good luck!