Giving up Naps

My sister's daughter napped until she was 6 years old. One of my twins dropped his nap at age 3, but I made him lay down until his brother fell asleep. His twin napped until age 4. I think it really depends on the child.

Both of my children were great nappers up until about 22 months old. Then they both just stop napping. Sometimes my youngest will doze off in the car in the PM for 20-45 minutes, but that is all. I've tried everything, believe me. They just will play in their room, take off their clothes, read books. Honestly, I'd rather they do that when I can see them. So, I just keep them busy all day long and they go to bed at 7:00PM and sleep until 9:00AM. I'd rather have my nights to my husband. Best of luck to you, though!!

My oldest turned 4 in July and she still takes naps about every other day. They aren't for real long, but she obviously needed them since she laid down and went to sleep. She does have a quiet time in the afternoon when her sister and brother are napping. My 2nd turned 2 in July and she still takes a 1 1/2 to 2 hour nap everyday. It all depends on your child. If he's not overly grumpy and still sleeps well at night, then he may be done.

Mine all stopped by age 2 some of them stopped earlier around 18 months, if he isn't tired don't force it, I find the ones who stop earlier got to bed earlier at night also, I actually like it better that way, I can get a lot done while they are down for the night and still find some time to watch my favorite t.v shows or a movie I bought weeks ago and finally have to minutes to watch it.

Kindergarten classes still have quiet times. I say you keep up with what you are doing. If he takes a nap then he needed it, if he doesn't then he still needs the quiet time.

That is about the age my kids gave up naps too. I tried to fight it for several months, but it just wasn't worth it. On the brighter side, it did make them sleep better at night:)

Since you are expecting, you could try to lay down with your child--this worked a while for me when I was pregnant with my second. My DD slept as long as I slept with her, and I was tired since I was pregnant!

My daughter will be 6 in a few weeks and still falls asleep during rest time at school. When we're at home just lazing around she will just relax in her room for awhile.
My son is 34 months and needs that nap every day or we all pay for it later!
I say, even if he's not sleeping he still needs that time for his body and brain to relax and recoup.

Hi,
My son gave up naps right after he turned 3. At his 3 year check-up, our pediatrician was surprised to hear he was still napping so I assume a lot of kids stop by then. We did the same thing you're doing & started taking a "quiet break" during the afternoon.
I also cared for a 5 year old who still napped every day. She was in a special preschool & all of the kids napped in the afternoon.
Now I have a 9 month old who I'm afraid is trying to go from 2 naps to 1 nap & I'm not ready for that!
T.

It's hard to say what age giving up naps occur, but most pediatricians will tell you that until school age most kids need at least a little nap. they just are quite ready to go all day...unless you putting them to bed at 6 p.m.

I do think you have to be careful as you ready about age 2 that this is when kids start trying to assert their independence and may rebel against naps, even though they really need it. My dau. just turned 3 and and she'll often sit up and read quietly in her room but not go to sleep.

Every kids is different- my girls took naps until they were three- my son stopped at 18 months. It sounds like your son is ready to stop- as long as you are putting him to sleep a little earlier, it will all work out fine!

My oldest quit real naps at age 2 and my youngest took them until he was almost four. I think it just depends on the child.

My son stopped a little after his third birthday. My daughter will be three in March and she still naps about 90% of the time. But every child is different. As long as he's getting down time and isn't tired or grouchy, it sounds like he's getting enough sleep. I say just keep doing what you're doing. If you continue having him have quiet time during the day, it'll be a lot easier for you when the new baby comes because he'll be used to it and you can have at least one break from both kids during the day (when he has quiet time and the baby naps). It will eventually transition to quiet time outside his room - reading, coloring, etc, but you'll still get the benefit of a little break.

My son is 2 years old, and he is the same way. We put him in his room, and he stays in there - sometimes he goes to sleep and sometimes he doesn't. I think we have to face the facts that they are done. It sucks, but oh well what can you do.

Hi Angela. I am a mother of two, my son is 16 months, and my daughter is 5. She did not stop taking a nap until just this year when she started kindergarten! Even now and then on the weekends she will still need one at times. I know that it sure saves my sanity sometimes! They are so active and do so much during their busy days that I think naps are great for them!

I'm not sure when the "right" time for them to give them up is, but my daughter started to refuse to nap at around 2. But I know some 4 year olds that still take them.

I'd keep doing what you are doing.

To be honest, I haven't reached this stage yet. But I follow the Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child book and here are the stats it gives based on their research:
At 24 months: 95% take one nap, 5% take 2 naps.
At 36 months: 91% take one nap, 9% take no naps.
At age 4: 50% nap 5 days per week
At age 5: 25% nap 4 days per week
At age 6: naps are usually gone unless it is the family custom to nap on weekends.

my son gave up naps at the age of 2 and i just put him to bed early to make up the time. so that's fine what you are doing!!!

My daughter turned 2 in July and I put her down every day. Some days she plays for an hour or so before falling asleep...but she always falls asleep (which she needs). I just wake her up if it is getting late in the day. I think it is good for the both of you to have quiet time, esp if baby 2 is on the way. When my almost 5 yo gave up naps around this same time, I could really tell in her moods. I still lay her down occasionally and it makes a world of differance. Everyone needs a little down time whether they sleep or not.