Transition From 2 Naps to 1: 3 Methods

Toddlers transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common, after which will sleep 11-12 hours at evening plus 2-3 hours throughout the day. This text will let you know how one can transition from 2 naps to 1 nap based mostly on my 15+ years as an toddler and toddler sleep marketing consultant.

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As I discussed above, most toddlers will transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months outdated, on common.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 marketing consultant, I discover many 13-14-month-olds are able to transition. There are a number of essential particulars to concentrate to earlier than you do the transition.

How Do You Know It’s Time to Transition to 1 Nap?

Though we now have an in depth article with the indicators to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap, right here’s a short abstract:

• It looks like you might be “operating out of daytime” for 2 naps. If nighttime sleep has dropped beneath 10 hours and you are feeling squeezed for time, it’s in all probability time to transition.
• Your toddler has a break up evening, that means they’re awake and alert for 1-3 hours in the midst of the evening.
• In case your toddler is skipping one among their naps 4 or extra instances every week, it could be time to transition to a 1-nap schedule.
• Lastly, in case your toddler’s bedtime rivals your personal or they will’t go to sleep till very late at evening, it could be that their final wake window of the day has gotten too lengthy for a 2-nap schedule.

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 method that’s proper for each baby. Even kids inside the similar family may do it in numerous methods. Listed here are 3 methods you are able to do this essential transition so you will get it proper in your baby:

Methodology 1: Squeeze the First Nap

In case your toddler tolerates being woken up from a nap, you possibly can 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 step by step lowering 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

Ultimately, you’ll cease providing the morning nap once 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 by which case you’d observe Methodology 3 beneath.
• Your toddler could be overtired after a brief morning nap after which take a brief afternoon nap. Give it a number of days earlier than you reevaluate. They might merely want to regulate.

Methodology 2: Squeeze the Second Nap

With this methodology, your purpose is to step by step transfer the morning nap to later till it turns into the one-and-only nap. To implement this methodology, you begin transferring the primary wake window later within the morning by 15-Half-hour on daily basis or each different day. Then permit the nap to be so long as your toddler desires. Provide 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 problem.) Right here’s an instance:

Instance of Transferring the Morning Nap Later

Day 1: Morning Wake Window = 3.5 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours, Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours (Word: Bedtime may 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)

Ultimately, the primary nap will get late sufficient and lengthy sufficient that the afternoon nap gained’t be taken or will probably be too late within the day to supply it. In case your toddler is typically taking a day nap and never on different days, provide 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 every week regardless of how brief or lengthy the morning nap is
• Toddlers with lengthy morning wake home windows, already
• Toddlers who may take a brief morning nap because the wake window will increase

Dangers:

• Your toddler may drop the afternoon nap in a short time
• Your toddler may take a brief morning nap, nonetheless, the afternoon nap permits them to catch up earlier than bedtime that evening, one of many advantages of this methodology
• Your toddler may take two brief naps, as a substitute, however that is momentary and a part of the transition in some circumstances.

Methodology 3: Abrupt Change of the Schedule

The ultimate methodology is just to maneuver your toddler to a 1-nap schedule abruptly. Normally, 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 an extended time period in the midst of the evening (insomnia). With this methodology, you merely cease providing the second nap, transfer the primary wake window to 4 1/2 to five hours, and encourage a minimum of a 2+ hour nap.

How Lengthy Does it Take to Transition From 2 Naps to 1 Nap?

Usually talking, it takes roughly 2-3 weeks to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap. As well as, your toddler may want two naps a few times every week whereas they transition. This may curb among the overtiredness.

Some days could also be higher than others however it’s frequent, and anticipated, for overtiredness to happen. We will’t at all times keep away from that however after a number of weeks, your toddler ought to alter. That’s, they are going to alter offered they’ve the correct 1-nap schedule for a toddler. Make sure you alter 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, you already know the place to show.