If you want to learn about your baby’s naps and nap transitions, you’re in the right place! This article covers everything about reducing your baby’s naps – from knowing when it’s time to drop a nap to what to do when your baby resists a nap or even refuses to nap all together.
The timing for when babies stop napping can vary from one child to another. Most babies gradually reduce the number of naps they take as they grow and develop. In this article, we’ll cover general guidelines for when babies typically transition from multiple naps to fewer naps, and eventually no naps at all.
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We understand you may be a bit worried about this transition, but as much as you want them to stay little, your baby is growing up, and as they get older, they need less daytime sleep. But look at this transition as a cause for celebration: less naps means they are learning and developing, which is great news.
Plus, less daytime sleep means more awake time together, which means more playtime, giggles and memories, so it’s a pretty fair trade.
To help you embrace this change, here we’ll answer all your questions about nap transitions, including “When do I reduce my baby’s naps?” “How do I reduce my baby’s naps?” and “Can I survive my baby’s nap transition?”
The answer to that last question is an emphatic “yes”! You’ve totally got this! And to help you along the way, there’s the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ App. We worked with pediatricians, sleep experts, and other parents to create an easy-to-use app that makes sleep training easy, fast, and, best of all, a growth experience for your entire growing family. This is an exciting moment and we want to help you make the most of it, for you and your baby.
As for your other questions on nap transitions, read on to learn all about reducing your baby’s naps safely and effectively.
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Drop a Nap
You will know your baby is ready to drop a nap based on on their age and certain signs such as skipping a nap or struggling to fall asleep at nap or bedtime.
Since changes in their sleep needs are often driven by their age and development, knowing the number of naps by age along with the amount of time they should be able to stay awake between sleeps can help:
My Baby Can’t Fall Asleep at Nap Time
If your baby’s been super predictable with their naps and then suddenly starts following a less predictable schedule, that’s a strong sign your baby’s ready to drop a nap.
This is more than your baby’s not falling asleep at nap time just once. This means the change is happening over a period of a few days. Your baby will be more awake when they’ve previously been sleepy. This consistent behavior that usually happens around the benchmark ages in the table above and is a clear signal it’s time to consolidate naps.
My Baby Resists a Nap
Another strong sign your baby is ready to consolidate naps is they’re actively resisting a nap for a few days or they seem more awake at their usual nap time.
Pro tip: This resistance usually revolves around the afternoon nap. If this happens, consider moving bedtime up a bit while you drop that afternoon nap. This will help your baby more easily adjust to their schedule change.
My Baby Won’t Fall Asleep at Bedtime
If your baby has had a set bedtime and routine and then one day they reject it, this may also signal they are getting too much daytime sleep or that their wake window between their last nap and bedtime is too short.
If you’re experiencing this scenario, and your baby is old enough, it may be time to make a schedule adjustment.
If you’re not ready to drop a nap, try moving the final nap up an hour or so to keep your baby awake longer before bed. This can help realign your baby’s sleep cycle.
And for those who work outside the home and want to spend quality time with your baby at night, you can also move bedtime back a bit until your child’s nap schedule adjusts.
My Baby’s Not Cranky After Missing a Nap
If your baby is not cranky after missing a nap (which is common if your baby needs the nap), and it happens more than once, it may mean they’re ready to drop a nap.
Sure, there may be days when an extra sleep is needed, but that’s normal. If you’re struggling with reducing naps or any other part of your baby’s sleep training, take this free sleep assessment. Co-developed with pediatricians, pediatric sleep experts, and other parents, this app understands your baby’s sleep and creates a personalized sleep plan that supports your unique baby (and you) through every nap transition and potential sleep challenge.
My Baby is Getting Too Much Sleep for Their Age
Keep in mind these are averages and estimates for total sleep and wake windows by age. Your baby's sleep patterns may be a little bit different. If so, that’s completely normal. As your baby approaches the age where a likely transition is coming, you can look out for certain signs to know if your baby is ready to make the change.
And, yes, this may all seem like a lot to remember, but the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ app can help you keep track of it all: simply enter in when they nap and wake to start seeing your baby’s unique sleep patterns.
When Do Babies Stop Napping?
Babies stop napping when they reach toddlerhood and get all of the sleep they need at night. This usually happens between 3 and 5 years old depending on the child's unique sleep needs. Until then, babies need naps to get the sleep they need to grow and thrive.
Everything to know about the 1 to 0 nap transition
How Do I Know it is Not Time to Drop a Nap?
You may already know these signs your baby still needs to nap, but it’s always worth a reminder.
- Crankiness: If your baby seems crankier than usual or you feel like they've been awake for longer than usual and they are fussy, they’re probably ready for some quiet, restful time. And, likely, so are you.
- Glazed Eyes: Just like overtired adults, your baby who needs a nap may go glassy eyed and stare into the distance. This is another sign they may be ready for a nap.
- Rubbing Their Eyes: It’s adorable – and a signal your tot’s ready for dreamland.
When Do Babies Drop a Nap By Age?
How many naps your baby should take depends on both their age and unique sleep needs. However, there’s a basic pattern in most babies’ nap cycles by age. (And, seriously, don’t worry if this timeline doesn’t match your experience. Babies sometimes go at their own pace.)
For quick reference, here’s a simple breakdown of naps by age:
Newborns: 16+ hours of sleep including naps in a 24 hour period
Newborns nap a lot. And we mean a lot a lot; 75% of the day is spent asleep a lot. They wake up to eat and/or quick diaper change and get back to sleep because sleep helps them grow and develop.
Pediatrician Dr. Paul M. Berman backs this up, “Babies burn a lot of calories just breathing and growing, so they spend quite a bit of time sleeping to recover their energy.”
When your baby is a newborn, go with their flow and worry about newborn nap timing later. And don’t be concerned if there are days where they seem to never sleep long stretches. This is all par for the course at this age and will pass.
Three Months: 5 → 4 Naps
Your baby’s developing a new sleep rhythm around three or four months. Most are probably sleeping five hours a night before waking for a feeding (some may go for as much as 6-8 hours) and taking between 3 and 5 naps a day. Somewhere around that four month mark they should be settling on 4 naps.
Again, every baby’s unique, so if your kid’s a little different, that’s okay. Just watch for crankiness and other signs they need a nap and follow their lead.
Whatever the pace of naps here, it happens fairly naturally and seems to settle into a nice, predictable routine – but don’t get used to that, because even more changes are coming.
It’s at this point, four months, that most babies are ready to sleep train. Just make sure they also weigh 12 pounds – this means they’re growing as they sleep – and consult with your pediatrician before sleep training. Once you’re ready to embark on sleep training, consider downloading the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ App. It’s easy-to-use, science-backed, and creates a unique sleep plan personalized for your baby’s development and your parenting style. Plus, you’ll start seeing results in a week or less – results that will help your baby, and you, for years to come.
Three to Five Months: 4 → 3 Naps
Most babies drop their fourth nap around around the 3-5 month mark.
As with other sleep transitions, this process may happen on its own – for example, your baby will protest that fourth nap – but if they’re having trouble shaking that fourth nap and you want to drop it, consider moving up their bedtime a bit.
Now, be prepared: this isn’t always the smoothest transition. Some babies will be cranky as their sleep cycle adjusts, but that will pass. It’s unpleasant, but losing that fourth nap will make bedtime far easier – and sometimes earlier.
Also, now your baby will now be awake for longer periods, which means more activities and memories together. Sure, you have less “down time,” but baby time’s far more fun and rewarding! Those giggles and gurgles and little baby smiles – they’re so great, and now you get to enjoy more of them more often!
Everything to know about the 4 to 3 nap transition
Seven to Eight Months: 3 → 2 Naps
Good morning indeed!
At around 7-8 months, your baby will likely be more energetic and alert in the morning, a sign they’re getting better sleep. You may also notice they stay awake longer before their first nap and longer between naps, too. As this happens, typically approaching the 8 month mark, it’s time to drop that third nap.
As with all nap transitions, your baby may be moodier around this time, probably between that afternoon nap and bedtime. If this happens, try moving bedtime up 20-30 minutes for a few days. That will keep their AM wake-up time but limit their bad mood. Or, at least, your exposure to their bad mood, which can be just as good.
After their mood improves, you can push bedtime back to its usual time.
Everything to know about the 3 to 2 nap transition
Fourteen to Eighteen Months: 2 → 1 Nap
Experts say that most babies drop their first nap or combine their two naps into one longer mid-day nap anywhere from 14 to 18 months.
This may take a few days or even weeks, so follow your baby’s lead. For example, if your baby’s staying up past their morning nap, wait until they seem sleepy before suggesting they lay down. You may also notice that their afternoon nap starts later or does not last as long.
Transitioning from two naps to one sometimes can be tricky. Start by moving their morning nap a little later each day and shorten the afternoon nap. Do this until their first nap begins at lunchtime. After this, the second nap shouldn't need to happen. As with earlier nap transitions, bedtime should get earlier for a while as your baby adjusts to longer durations of wakefulness.
Everything to know about the 2 to 1 nap transition
Three to Five Years Old : 1 → 0 Nap
Between 3 and 5 years old toddlers typically stop napping. However, the exact age of stopping naps may vary from one child to another. Some may continue to nap until they are 4 or 5 years old, while others may stop napping earlier, around age 3.
The transition to no napping usually occurs gradually, and often begins by reducing the frequency or length of naps before stopping all together. It’s important to remember this is a general guideline and every child may have different nap patterns and schedules. Some may continue to need occasional naps even after the age of 5, especially if they are very active or have trouble sleeping at night.
Everything to know about the 1 to 0 nap transition
When Do Babies Drop Their Morning Nap?
Babies typically drop their morning nap and transition to a single afternoon nap, which lasts about 2-3 hours, between the ages of 14 and 18 months. This is considered the 2 to 1 nap transition.
Adjusting to a new nap schedule with one 2-3-hour afternoon nap becomes necessary as your child's sleep needs change. While they are still getting about the same amount of daytime sleep, they now need longer wake windows to build up sleep pressure for naps and bedtime.
Signs that your baby is ready to make this transition include:
- Resisting the morning nap
- Taking longer to fall asleep for the morning nap
- Waking up early from the morning nap
Keep in mind that missing one or two morning naps doesn't necessarily mean they are ready to drop a nap. Wait until they consistently show the signs before you make the change.
Final Thoughts
There is no one answer for when babies, toddlers, and kids stop napping! Every child is different and parents should be attentive to their child’s sleep needs and change their routine as needed.
Reducing naps and managing your baby’s sleep can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for support to help you reduce naps or to generally help you improve your baby’s sleep, check out the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers™ App. It works to understand you and your baby to create a personalized sleep plan to get your baby’s sleep on track while supporting you the caregiver every step of the way.
