Toddlers transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common, after which will sleep 11-12 hours at evening plus 2-3 hours in the course of the day. This text will inform you learn how to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap primarily based on my 15+ years as an toddler and toddler sleep advisor.
When Do Toddlers Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap?
As I discussed above, most toddlers will transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common. Nevertheless, in my a few years as a sleep advisor, I discover many 13-14-month-olds are able to transition. There are just a few necessary particulars to concentrate to earlier than you do the transition.
How Do You Know It’s Time to Transition to 1 Nap?
Though we have now an in depth article with the signs to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap, right here’s a quick abstract:
- It appears like you’re “operating out of daytime” for 2 naps. If nighttime sleep has dropped under 10 hours and you’re feeling squeezed for time, it’s most likely time to transition.
- Your toddler has a split night, that means they’re awake and alert for 1-3 hours in the midst of the evening.
- In case your toddler is skipping one in every of their naps 4 or extra occasions per week, it is likely to be time to transition to a 1-nap schedule.
- Lastly, in case your toddler’s bedtime rivals your individual or they’ll’t go to sleep till very late at evening, it is likely to be that their final wake window of the day has gotten too lengthy for a 2-nap schedule.
The best way to Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap: 3 Strategies
There are a number of methods to transition naps and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy that’s proper for each baby. Even youngsters inside the identical family would possibly do it in numerous methods. Listed below are 3 methods you are able to do this necessary transition so you may get it proper to your baby:
Technique 1: Squeeze the First Nap
In case your toddler tolerates being woken up from a nap, you may attempt squeezing the primary nap out so the second nap turns into their noon and solely nap. To squeeze the primary nap out, you begin by steadily decreasing the morning nap till it’s a catnap. Then encourage a 1-2-hour noon or afternoon nap. Right here’s an instance:
Instance of Shortening the Morning Nap
Day 1: Morning Nap = 50 minutes, Afternoon Nap = 1 hour 30-50 minutes, Complete = 2 hours 20-40 minutes
Day 2: Morning Nap = 45 minutes, Afternoon Nap = 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, Complete = 2 hours 30-45 minutes
Day 3: Morning Nap = Half-hour, Afternoon Nap = 2+ hours, Complete = 2 Half-hour to three hours
Finally, you’ll cease providing the morning nap if you suppose your toddler is prepared.
Good For:
- Toddlers who tolerate being woken up from a nap
- Toddlers who nonetheless have a shorter (3 to three.5-hour morning wake window)
- Toddlers who’re skipping their afternoon nap however not prepared for a 1-nap schedule
Dangers:
- Your toddler should still skip their afternoon nap even with a brief morning nap wherein case you’d comply with Technique 3 under.
- Your toddler is likely to be overtired after a brief morning nap after which take a brief afternoon nap. Give it just a few days earlier than you reevaluate. They could merely want to regulate.
Technique 2: Squeeze the Second Nap
With this technique, your objective is to steadily transfer the morning nap to later till it turns into the one-and-only nap. To implement this technique, you begin transferring the primary wake window later within the morning by 15-Half-hour day by day or each different day. Then permit the nap to be so long as your toddler needs. Supply a second nap after a 4-hour wake window. If it’s getting too late within the day, shorten this nap till it’s a 30-45-minute catnap (if that’s a difficulty.) Right here’s an instance:
Instance of Shifting the Morning Nap Later
Day 1: Morning Wake Window = 3.5 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (Be aware: Bedtime would possibly briefly get late)
Day 2: Morning Wake Window = 3.75 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours
Day 3: Morning Wake Window = 4 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (contemplate shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours
Day 4: Morning Wake Window = 4.25 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (contemplate shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (if afternoon nap occurred)
Day 5: Morning Wake Window = 4.5 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (contemplate shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (if afternoon nap occurred)
Day 6: Morning Wake Window = 4.75 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4.5 hours (no second nap)
Finally, the primary nap will get late sufficient and lengthy sufficient that the afternoon nap received’t be taken or will probably be too late within the day to supply it. In case your toddler is usually taking a day nap and never on different days, supply bedtime earlier on these days (~6:30 or 7:00 PM).
Good For:
- Toddlers who do NOT tolerate being woken up from naps (cranky and fussy)
- Toddlers who skip the afternoon nap a number of days per week irrespective of how quick or lengthy the morning nap is
- Toddlers with lengthy morning wake home windows, already
- Toddlers who would possibly take a brief morning nap because the wake window will increase
Dangers:
- Your toddler would possibly drop the afternoon nap in a short time
- Your toddler may take a brief morning nap, nevertheless, the afternoon nap permits them to catch up earlier than bedtime that evening, one of many advantages of this technique
- Your toddler would possibly take two quick naps, as a substitute, however that is short-term and a part of the transition in some instances.
Technique 3: Abrupt Change of the Schedule
The ultimate technique is just to maneuver your toddler to a 1-nap schedule abruptly. Often, if we do that it’s as a result of the morning wake window is already 4 hours (or longer) and the toddler is already skipping their afternoon nap most days. OR the toddler awake for a protracted time frame in the midst of the evening (insomnia). With this technique, you merely cease providing the second nap, transfer the primary wake window to 4 1/2 to five hours, and encourage not less than a 2+ hour nap.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap?
Typically talking, it takes roughly 2-3 weeks to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap. As well as, your toddler would possibly want two naps a couple of times per week whereas they transition. This can curb a few of the overtiredness.
Some days could also be higher than others however it’s widespread, and anticipated, for overtiredness to happen. We are able to’t all the time keep away from that however after just a few weeks, your toddler ought to modify. That’s, they may modify offered they’ve the proper 1-nap schedule for a toddler. Ensure you modify it to suit your baby!
I hope this text has helped you together with your toddler’s schedule! If you happen to want any assist, the place to show.
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