Nap for Almost-2-year-old?

My 2 year old also went through a no nap or low nap phase. I would not give up on the napping yet. She is way to young for that. Just keep putting her down for her nap every day. She may keep fighting it, but eventually if you stick with it she will nap again. She needs it.

My daughter STOPPED naps altogether when she was 18 months! I missed them since I would lay down for a while too...LOL! She went from taking 2 hour naps to NOTHING overnight. I just went with the flow as I couldn't make her sleep. Now, you can have quiet time: reading, laying in bed, for a short while. Mainly, just follow your child's lead and you will be fine.

Hello J.,
I have a 2 year old as well. He goes to bed with us at 11, and gets up anywhere from 9-10 am. I would say, but who says I'm right. If you want her to sleep longer for a nap, maybe let her go to bed later? My son sleeps usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours for his nap. I make him lay on the couch around 1:45, so he's up in time for daddy to be home at 4. That's how I do it, I'm sure some moms might think I'm bad for letting my 2 year old stay up until 11, but since I work at home, he can sleep as late as he wants. I hope this helps. Also, my nephews are 3, and they still take naps at grandmas. So....good luck!
V.

I wouldn't say she's dropping her nap, just shortening it. She still needs that hour and 15-20 min. of sleep, she just doesn't need 3 hours. There may be times where she still needs the longer nap, such as when she has a growth spurt and not feeling up to par. I would still encourage nap/rest time. I still do with my 4 year old, we have rest time almost every day, and somedays he still sleeps, others he merely lays in bed for 45 minutes. I find it a nice break for both of us, and so does he!

lol you should consider yourself lucky she napped for so long prior to now. if it's working for her and she doens't seem to be any more tired than normal at like bed time it's all good, for her anyways.

You are so lucky!! I have a two year old and she only naps for an hour!! I would give anything if she napped longer. She has never been a very good napper. I think your little one might be going through a phase. Just see what happens..:) Good luck to you.

There's nothing wrong with giving your daughter "down time", even if she's not napping. My daughter's 2 years and 4 months, and I make sure she has 2-3 hours of quiet time in her crib. When I put her down, I make sure she has some books and safe toys/animals in her grasp, and I don't go in unless I think she might have a dirty diaper. She may call for me, but her "bored" call is different than her needy call.

I used to teach 2/3 year old preschool, and it was important that all the kids rested for the scheduled nap time, even if they didn't sleep. Most kids don't feel the need for rest until it's extreme, but teaching them how to relax by themselves in the middle of the day is an important lesson in self-control and independence.

It sounds like she is ready to give up her nap (unfortunately...because that gave you time for yourself) You can lay her down at her nap time, but if she doesn't want to sleep, she won't. I would still put her down and see if she sleeps, but after a 1/2 hour or so if she isn't sleeping, I would get her up instead of frustrating yourself.
Hope this helps.
R.

Be happy that she is still napping! It sounds as though her growth is at a plateau. When children are in a growth spurt, it seems as though sleep is of the essence. I always knew when my kids where going thru a growth spurt because their appetites picked up and their naps were of marathon quality! Your daughter will still ned a nap for quite awhile, maybe she will occasionally surprise you with a super long nap every now and then!

I've talked with our pediatrician about this and 2 years is about the time when their nap schedules may change a little, but they still need 13-14 hours of sleep per day. I would get as much nap as you can out of her, but if she does not take a nap one day, she should still have at least an hour of quiet time. This gives you a break and her a break too!

LOL..this is funny only because I went through this as well!! My eldest did the same thing (and now my 2, almost 3, year old is to)! 2-3 years is when they start to short'in their naps. I used to get anywhere from 2-3+ hours to myself...now, I'm lucky to get 1hr. My new thing to do with my kids is "quiet time". Instead of telling them we're going up for a nap..I tell my kids it's time for "quiet time". They get to have 1-3 books in their bed that they can read/look at. They know that I will come up to get them when it's time for them to come downstairs or to play again. It has worked pretty well for me. They do have times where they talk a lot or giggle..but it's better than nothing at all...LOL

Good luck!! :-)

If she is getting so much sleep during the night, she may not need as long of a nap during the day. Plus, she is so busy at two. She won't like it, but make her take "quiet time" breaks throughout the day. 15 to 20 minutes of quiet, calm and slow play. This rest period may be just what she needs, since she isn't sleepin as long. Does she still sleep all night long?

My son is 5 months old and is a cat napper. His naps are never longer than 30 minutes and he wil take anywhere from 4 to 6 a day.

I guess quality is more important than quantity.

I don't think your daughter is dropping her nap entirely, just starting on the gradual process to grow out of her nap. My sons are now 8 and 10, so it has been a while, but I did notice for both of them that their naps grew shorter over time until they stopped. Watch your daughter and if she's cranky, but still doesn't nap, you might try an earlier bedtime. If she's not cranky, she's probably getting enough sleep between her shorter nap and sleeping at night. You can always check with her doctor as well.

don't ever give up naptimes! Until they aren't able to take them anymore --- our kids took naps til they were 5 and 6 everyday - (unless it wasn't possible)

they need them

YOU NEED them more :)

Hi, J. --

I agree with the other Moms... kids will nap when they need it... if given the right conditions. My daughter had to have the stars and moon align, the entire house quiet, and dark, and peaceful in order to sleep. But she lives hard and has to sleep hard in order to make up for it.

She's now 3 and has basically stopped napping. However, I can still tell when she is fatigued, and I can still get her to nap ever now and then, to catch up. The older they get, the more you are able to explain to them how their bodies need the rest to stay strong and healthy and to be able to play and enjoy life better.

Just stay attuned to your little one, and you'll know when to press the nap. For us, it's easy because our daughter's a nightmare when she's overly tired. In other kids, I'm sure it's more subtle.

As the other Moms have said, too, as your daughter goes through growth spurts, you'll notice she'll need more sleep.

Good luck!
H.

Hi J. - I think about age 2 the naps do start getting shorter. I can't really remember for sure from my oldest, but I have one who just turned 2 and her naps seem to be getting shorter (though she hasn't had a 4 hour nap in I can't tell you how long). She does sleep at least 12 hours at night but naps are - at the most - 2 hours. Hope that helps!

My son also stopped napping around that time. He just didn't need it anymore. It is hard to give up the only time you have to get all your stuff done, but alas that is part of them growing up and just know that in a few short years, she will be grown and gone anyway, so enjoy your time with her in all her different stages.

i have a four year old and an 20 month old. my four year just now quit taking naps. he might doze in the car but other than that (no Naps) but i also put him to bed at like 730 800 since he does not nap. but anyways he went through stages . he would do what your child would for a couple of weeks than he would sleep his normal. my 20 month is doing the same now. he used to sleep from 1- to almost five. i loved this. now 2 hours and that is about it. for the past couple of weeks but he seems cranky when he is up . i would not think he is done with napping . it might just be a stage

First I have to say way to go on the amount of sleep time. My four children never slept that much. My son, now 18mths, had been the one to get the most and he sleeps about 10 hours at night and is stopping his naps as we speak. From my experience at about 2 they no longer need as much sleep all the time. She will still nap, but when she needs it. I used to send my girls to bed for the same amount of time but told them whether or not they slept they had to stay in there rooms for at least and hour. That way I could clean the house. They understood and sometimes would just play and others get bored and go to sleep. Mostly you have to decide how to go with it and be consistant but she will eventually stop taking naps alltogether.

I would say your daughter is ready to start shortening her naps. I have five children and would have loved it if their naps had all remained long, but it wont happen. Don't try letting her sleep less at night though, it will just make her cranky. She may not be growing much right now either, and during the next growth spurt may begin taking longer naps again.

Bottom line is, little ones will sleep when they need it.