1 Year Old Sleeping Too Much?

Hi Shandell,
You are right Mom! As long as he continues to sleep through the night, there is no reason to change anything. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Plus, you will SO regret it, if you try to force him to be awake, when he's sleepy. Can you say GROUCHY?

Enjoy this time while you have it! He'll outgrow napping soon enough!

Best wishes,
M.

My opinion is unless he's keeping you up really late there is never TOO MUCH sleep!!! As long as he's happy so is Mommy!

My middle child did almost exactly the same schedule, where as my other 2 slept less. Every child has different sleep needs, and their bodies really do regulate according to their individual needs. He just requires more sleep than some. It definitely won't go on forever!

Let him sleep and count yourself SUPER lucky!! :) Enjoy!

I would be so grateful if my babies had napped so well! My only concern would be how is the quality of his sleep? Is he tired and cranky when he wakes up? Does he snore or sleep with his mouth open? How is his growth, is he small for his age? If so he may have sleep apnea. If you have concerns about it talk to your doctor.

let him sleep!! his body knows what it needs. keep track of his sleeping with a spread sheet thingie! if you think that is to far then let him sleep. if you feel thats a good idea then write it all down for about a week and show it to a doctor. when I took my 2nd child home from the hospital I never even took her out of the car seat when we got home. I placed her, car seat and all in the crib and she slept for over 8 hours! I only woke her up to eat then put her right back to bed, out of the car seat of course and she was out like a light till morning!! we have to trust in the human body, it knows a lot more than we think it does.

Hi Shandell, How cute! I wish you could send pictures along with your e-mail request. I think some adults and babies have different needs. My grown daughter still needs 10 or more hours sleep at night. If she doesn't have it she is miserable and I imagine anyone around her is misrable too. It sounds like your little boy just needs more sleep than others and it is probably the healthiest thing he can do. Especially, since he is growing. K. K.

Hi Shandell - your little guy is just fine. My little son had a similar schedule until he was about 2 and then he dropped his morning nap. He would nap for 1.5 hours in the morning and often 2 - 2.5 in the afternoon and sleep around 9-10 hours at night.

Here is an article that I refer to alot from WebMD on how much sleep kids of all ages need. Hopefully it will help your husband ease up a little to see an "authoritative" source on the issue. It says that Toddlers need a minimum of 14 hours of sleep per day but most only get 10.5 on average. Enjoy his naptimes now - he will soon drop one of them and then you're really going to have your hands full! :-)

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/how-much-sleep-do-ch...

my son, now 3, was the exact same way at 1 years old. I thought it was normal. He is still a great sleeper and has a lot of energy when he is awake.

My son would sleep 1 1/2 hours for a morning nap and 3+ hours for a pm nap and then sleep from 8:40ish till 6:30ish at 12 months. i wouldn't worry about it, why don't you just call your dr and ask his nurse or at the next check up. At 1 they are learning a lot about emotions and speaking and movement which must be exhausting! I wouldn't be surprised if he worn out from chasing after your 4 year old!

R.

Never complain that he's sleeping too much!! :-)

I think that sounds pretty normal. My 1-year-old takes a couple nice long naps every day, goes to bed at about 8:30, and wakes up at about 7:30. So I think your little guy is probably just fine. Like you said, if you put him down when he acts tired and he's happy when he wakes up, he's getting just the right amount of sleep that his body needs.

2 of my kids did this at different times in development; Sounds perfectly normal to me! Enjoy it if it is unusual...he's probaly having a growth spurt and it won't last long! Most kids do not go to one nap until 18 months.

I have 3 children under 5 yrs. of my own and I have seen how children can be when they are overtired. I have also done some reading up on sleep and agree whole heartedly with you. Putting him down as soon as he acts tired, and he's waking up happy, then you're giving him healthy,needed sleep. Maybe just remind your husband that every child is different and some children need more sleep than others. I personally wouldn't do anything different if he is able to sleep that much and wake up happy. He won't sleep that much forever. I would just enjoy it while you can.

My daughter did the same thing. Eventually he will grow out of it, but being a biologist, I have learned that sleeping for youngsters is good. Hormones for growth are only released when asleep, and at age 1, he will be growing a tremedous amount. He may also just be tired because his little brain is working nonstop when he is awake, taking in the world around him and building his neural network. Don't worry, it's normal and physiologically important for him to get all the sleep he needs to continue to grow and learn. Hope this puts you and your husbands minds at ease. :)

I don't think so. I have a 19 month old that takes an hour and a half am nap, and a 2 hour afternoon nap. She goes to bed at 8:30pm and sleeps until 7:30-8 am. I think they need 13-15 hours of sleep a day. It sounds about right to me!

I babysit 18 month old twins. they take one nap during the day and sleep for 3-4 hours. I think your child is fine. He just breaks it up. Some kids just sleep longer

My twins sleep a lot longer than other babies their age. I asked my doctor about it and she said they'll sleep as much as they need to. She said not to worry about it and let them get their sleep. So I wouldn't worry about your son. It sounds like he's getting as much sleep as he needs - especially if he's sleeping well at night and waking up happy.

As long as it doesn't affect their sleeping at night long naps are okay and will eventually taper down to shorter naps. I have a doctor that says not to wake a sleeping baby. At this age they are growing a lot and still developing and it takes a lot out of them. So more often then not sleeping makes that easier for them and they can still get over stimulated at this age. SO I would say not to worry about it too much. Remind your husband that naps will be a thing of the past soon enough and so let the baby sleep for now. Unless of coarse the baby is not sleeping at night which is a better time for them to sleep.

Shandall,

Tell your husband that if the boy wants to sleep then he apparantly does need it.

We as adults think we know all the answers for our children.
But at his age his body will tell him what he needs and when.
It is simple.
We sleep when we need it.
Good luck,
M.

My daughter was a sleeper. She actually fought when we gave up the morning nap!! :) He could be going through a growth spurt and I agree it is him sleeping as he should. Most kids his age should be getting 12-14 hours total and if he is waking happy, growing accordingly and seems fine I wouldn't be concerned. You can always ask your Pediatrician if you are really concerned and your husband needs some reassurance.
My friends three year old can sometimes take a two or three hour nap in the afternoon then goes to bed by 7:30 and wakes up at 6:30 and she is three. Both of mine are way past naps unfortunately!! :) But my son who is four gets 11-12 hours and my daughter who is seven gets 10-11!
At about 16 mos try stopping the morning nap if he starts seeming like he isn't that tired.

My daughter was very similar in her sleep habits. I think my ped. recommended I wake her up after 2 hours (because sometimes she'd sleep for 3!). But if he's going to be between 7 and 8, I don't think there's anything wrong at all with taking 2 hour naps. Sounds like he's just growing and doing a lot of things (walking/crawling can be REALLY tiring for our little tikes), and needs extra sleep. My advice would be as long as he's getting time to exercise, eat, and learn new skills (play) I think its fine to let him sleep. He probably needs it.

Good luck!
J.

My son is the same age and he takes 2-3 hour naps on the weekends as well. I think as long as he wakes up happy, there is no problem. Babies grow in their sleep so it is a good thing. I always use that time to get some things done around the house, or just relax!

I think that you should count your blessings. Some kids require more sleep than others. I have one year old twins and my son definitely requires more sleep than his sister. Too bad they are in the same room and so she keeps waking him up! They do sleep pretty comparable to your son. Maybe a little shorter on their two naps, but I think that could be they wake each other up.

You already said it. If he goes down when he's tired and wakes up happy, he's getting what he needs! And he's going to bed at a reasonable hour, and getting up at a reasonable hour. I think he's just fine. He'll let you know when he's getting too much sleep. It will happen when he sleeps for two 2 1/2 hour naps during the day and is bouncing off walls at 11pm! Then you may want to cut back the daytime sleeping! But for now... he sound's perfectly normal. Enjoy it while it lasts!

It sounds like he is sleeping 14-16 hours in a 24 hour period. Pretty normal for a one-year-old. He's still a baby, and as long as he isn't lethargic when he's up, or having wieght gain issues (too much or not enough),I wouldn't worry too much.

To ease your hubby's mind, take him with you to your son's one-year check up. Mention it to the doctor. She'll probably tell you how lucky you are!!

My oldest took two hour naps twice a day until he was two and half. My youngest didn't do as well but it was still two naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I don't feel like your son is getting too much sleep. He's getting the right amount. Then, after they were two and half I started cutting down to just one nap a day. The transition was hard at first but we made it.

Every child is different. I have always heard that sleeping is their growing time. My girls from the time they were born took morning naps and afternoon naps and slept in the evenings between 8 or 9ish. I don't think that it hurts any of them. My youngest daughter slept more often. My boys did not want to sleep at all, but I made them. Enjoy it now cause some time you'll wake up and they won't nap at all and you'll be exhausted. :) I hope this helps! Kay

He needs to be getting around 14 hours of sleep each day. If that is happening then don't worry about it. They just talked about sleeping and children on The Doctor's show, and I was shocked to see how much sleep our kids need, my 4 almost 5 year old needs to be getting 12 or more hours of sleep each night. So instead of putting him to bed at 8 like we used to we put him to bed at 7 since he gets up at 7.

His sleeping sounds completely natural to me. You should get the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Weissebluth. It does a great job explaining how important sleep is for children of all ages. My daughter is almost 2.5 years old and goes to sleep at 8pm, wakes at 7:30-8am and still takes a 2-2.5 hour nap every day. If she get less then she is a real bear to deal with. I cherish all the sleep that she is still getting.

Great question!! I hope that your hubby reads all of the responses!! I agree that unless it is affecting the night time routine then it is just fine to take two long naps. Waking a child too soon can cause much needless ruckess for whom ever takes care of him. The best thing i would suggest about the interuptions is to let him fall asleep in his carseat. But it really sounds like you have a great routine allready!! Good job --god bless

Let sleeping babies lie!
I have always needed more sleep than other people. When i was a baby, I wouldn't get up until 10. That's despite a morning person for a mom, and 3 older siblings in school. It was a big, big trial for me when I drew morning kindergarten, but it was a challenge that I met, and I learned from it (or so my mom says).
My boys don't sleep enough. They give up their naps earlier than other kids, despite my efforts to keep them (instituting rest time instead of nap time, wearing them out at the playground first, etc). They just don't fall asleep. They don't need the sleep.
I just started reading Love & Logic and it's pretty funny, because there are a few things about our children that are completely up to them. What they eat, what they think, and if they fall asleep. We can force kids to wear a coat, but we can't force them to fall asleep. So don't worry about it and let him control his sleep!
That is unless it's a problem for you. Then it's not his problem, it's yours. Or his sister's. That's why you wake him up to accommodate her schedule.
I think you are doing exactly the right thing.

I wish I had your problem. Mine, now 24mos, has never been a good sleeper. Let him sleep! I agree with many moms, as long as night time sleep is consistant dont stress it. I have a baby due in January and I am praying his older brother will keep taking at least one nap for me....

Take care and take comfort.

I agree with everyone else, but just want to add one thing. As long as he doesn't seem lethargic or behaving strange while he is awake, he is a perfectly normal baby. Do some research to show your husband why babies need so much sleep so he won't freak out every time your son is napping. That should ease his mind.

Sounds normal to me. One of my kids took two naps of at least two hours each at a much older age. When she was awake, she used every bit of her energy.

OMG - what a dream!! Your son will sleep as much as he needs, as long as you give him the opportunity. You are so lucky. He obviously needs it - don't cut him short!

Oh no! :) My baby is 16 months and sleeps from 8:30pm-8:30am, and takes a nap from 10:30-12:30, and another from 3-4:30 every day! Yours sounds like a completely normal baby! He'll get MUCH more cranky if you mess with his naps on a regular basis! He needs that sleep! Enjoy it! :)

Hi Shadnell,
You are right. Kids need lots of sleep, their bodies are growing so fast and at one the amount he is getting is fine.
The fact that he is putting himself to sleep at night and not trying to stay up to late and not getting up to early is proof that the naps are not too much.
Have fun,
SarahMM

My first daughter was like this, too. She was just a great sleeper!

I don't think it is possible for kids to sleep too much... sounds to me your son is sleeping as much as he needs. my daughter is 21 m.o. and she still takes 1 1/2 - 2 hr nap everyday, and sleeps from 6:30 or 7pm at night to around 7 in the a.m.

In my opinion, you are right on this one. Most little children, if left to follow their own schedules, will tell you what they need. This could be a very important growth time for you son, and he needs more sleep. Not all children will sleep the same amount, and as long as he's waking up happy and going to sleep easily, your sound like you are doing the right thing.
Being a mom of two of the other cutest boys in the world, only a bit bigger at 7 and 11, I also understand your last comment. I bet your son is beautiful! He's lucky to have you home to take care of him.

A little about me: I am a SAHM, with her own business. Love being here for my kids and will always be home for them thanks to my business. They never are too old to need you at home.

I have a 15 year old and a three year old. I have always been told that they need their sleep for brain development AND it is also a sign that they are about to have a growth spurt when they are sleeping a bit more than usual. My older son slept very well when he was a toddler and never missed a nap, I WISH my tiny little three year old daughter would take advantage of a little shut eye. She is much more needy, active and moody than my son was at this age and I think it does have a lot to do with sleep. I would think that your son will grow out of it as he gets a bit older and just enjoy the time he is taking that "time-out" it is probably a good thing.

You know what you are talking about. Some people just love their sleep. I slept through the night the first night home from the hospital.. unfortuntly my son isn't the same way. Oh a good day though he will get up at 8:30 be up for 2 hours before nap time. He will then sleep about two hours, be up for two again and sleep for two again. He also goes does about 8:30 at night. I say on a good day because sometimes he doesn't nap well at all or sleep well at night. Your son will let you know if he is getting too much sleep by well.. not sleeping.

You have gotten a lot of good responses. Just wanted to let you know that my 14 month old still takes 2 naps, each lasting about 2 hours long. She is also in the bed by 6:30 or 7 every night, with few exceptions, and is up by 6:30 or 7. I am also a SAHM, but my oldest is only 2, so my 14 month old gets both of her long naps in almost everyday (she is starting to want to skip out sometimes, but she is super cranky when she doesn't get both naps). I wouldn't worry too much about him getting too much sleep. Kids are growing so much at this age and some little ones just require more sleep than others to cope with the rapid growth and learning that is going on in thier little lives.

-M.

A baby won't sleep if they are not tired. Every baby is different. Some need more than others. At 1 he is still growing fast and needs his sleep to grow. Tell your husband not too worry. If he is happy when he is awake, he is getting the sleep he needs. No healthy baby ever sleeps "too much". Be thankful for the quiet time!! as the old saying goes... Never wake a sleeping baby!!! Good luck!

A.

I totally agree with you!!!

I agree with the other posts I've read. My daughter was a sleeper and took long naps until she was well over a year old. She continued to take afternoon naps through her kindergarten year, though those naps were not as long. My son gave up the nap very early but at least he slept well at night. By the time he was big enough to walk, if I didn't get him tucked in by 8 p.m., he'd toddle into his bedroom and lie on the floor next to the crib and go to sleep there. Different kiddos need different amounts of sleep and as long as they are doing fine, happy and rested and active while awake, they are just doing what they need to do and parents can save the worry for issues that actually matter.

A child NEEDS sleep! If he is happy to sleep that much let him!!! It is good for children and helps them grow to be happy healthy people.
Everyone gets on my case for how much my little one sleeps at night and how she likes to go down at 6 or so. But it is her choice and she wakes up happy! If she doesn't get her sleep she is one crabby little lady!
So don't listen to others who are telling you it isn't good and tell your hubby that your little boy won't always like to sleep so much and one day you will be working hard to keep him home TO get some good sleep!
So enjoy it now while you can.

Sounds like a good sleep schedule to me. Enjoy the blessing of a good sleeper. If I recall right, it sounds like what my first was doing at that age and he's still a great sleeper.

I have a 1 yr. old with almost exactly the same schedule. I'm with you. If you put them down tired & let them wake when they naturally do & they're on a more or less regular routine, they'll sleep as long as they need to. A baby this age will not oversleep. You're doing great!

Let him sleep!!! My littlest guy just turned 2 and his schedule was much like your sons when he was about 1. If your son needs the sleep let him have it! (And enjoy the break!)

Kids need all the sleep they can. If he is taking his nap during the day and sleeping at night then I wouldn't worry about it. I would take advantage of the napping because one day when you want him to take a nap he will be too big to do so. He is still young that he should be taking a nap. I think my son started not taking a nap during the day when he was 3 1/2 or not as long. Some days he will take one but other he won't. I would let him decide when he is little older if he is going to take long naps or one at all. Good luck.