Does my three year old still need a nap?
The thought of losing naptime may be a bit of an adjustment for parents, but it also leads to longer night-time sleeps for older toddlers. Here’s what you need to know about phasing out the nap.
Know your toddler’s rhythms
According to Essie de Jager, a trained early-childhood teaching professional at Tjokkertuin Childcare Centre in Malmesbury, children need between 11 and 14 hours of rest each day between the ages of two to four.
“It must be tiresome to hear this, but once again, every child is different. Some toddlers may be ready to drop naptime soon after their second birthday, while others may need it even after they turn four. Keep tabs on your child’s innate daytime rhythm if you want to see whether it’s time to phase out the daytime nap – take notes of the time they fall asleep, how long they stay asleep and whether they skip any naps naturally over the course of a month or so. If you see a natural gradual regression in daytime sleeping, it could be time to move on from the nap altogether."
Read the resistance
“One of the first signs that your child may be ready to move on from daytime napping is a show of resistance. If your toddler suddenly takes longer to fall asleep when you put them down for their afternoon nap, or resists it outright, this is your first clue. The same goes for issues at bedtime. As your child grows, they are able to handle more awake time during the day and this can change from one week to the next because children grow and develop at such a rapid pace,” says Essie.
Understand that it’s a gradual process
According to Essie, it’s normally not a good idea to expect your toddler to go cold turkey on their daytime naps, even if your household sticks to a strict schedule.
“Be compassionate with your little human – their needs are new to them as well and they don’t make it difficult on you on purpose. While it’s understandable that parents want to know what to expect so they can plan their day, it’s also important to realise that phasing out naptime is not a clear-cut science.
“Your toddler may skip their nap successfully for three days in a row without any crankiness or issues, and then revert to their old sleep patterns for two days after the fact. Stay nimble and roll with the punches – this too shall pass. And remember, what worked for your mom, grandmother, sister, neighbour or favourite aunt when they were raising their kids may not necessarily work for you. Trust your gut and find your own rhythms,” encourages Essie.
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