The way to Transition From 2 Naps to 1: 3 Methods

Toddlers transition from 2 naps to 1 nap round 15-18 months previous, 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 the right way to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap based mostly 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 previous, 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 a couple of vital 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 indicators to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap, right here’s a short abstract:

• It appears like you might be “working out of daytime” for 2 naps. If nighttime sleep has dropped under 10 hours and you are feeling squeezed for time, it’s most likely 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 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 personal or they will’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 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 method that’s proper for each youngster. Even youngsters throughout the similar family would possibly do it in several methods. Listed below are 3 methods you are able to do this vital transition so you may get it proper in your youngster:

Methodology 1: Squeeze the First Nap

In case your toddler tolerates being woken up from a nap, you’ll be able to 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 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, Whole = 2 hours 20-40 minutes

Day 2: Morning Nap = 45 minutes, Afternoon Nap = 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, Whole = 2 hours 30-45 minutes

Day 3: Morning Nap = Half-hour, Afternoon Nap = 2+ hours, Whole = 2 Half-hour to three hours

Ultimately, you’ll cease providing the morning nap whenever 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 skip their afternoon nap even with a brief morning nap wherein case you’d observe Methodology 3 under.
• Your toddler is likely to be overtired after a brief morning nap after which take a brief afternoon nap. Give it a couple of days earlier than you reevaluate. They could merely want to regulate.

Methodology 2: Squeeze the Second Nap

With this technique, 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 technique, you begin transferring the primary wake window later within the morning by 15-Half-hour each day or each different day. Then permit the nap to be so long as your toddler desires. 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 (Word: 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 (take into account shortening this nap), Bedtime Wake Window = 4 hours

Day 4: Morning Wake Window = 4.25 hours, Afternoon Wake Window = 4 hours (take into account 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 (take into account 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 received’t be taken or it is going to 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 per week regardless of how brief 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 might 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 brief naps, as an alternative, however that is momentary and a part of the transition in some instances.

Methodology 3: Abrupt Change of the Schedule

The ultimate technique is solely 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 an extended 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 at the least 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 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 will’t at all times keep away from that however after a couple of weeks, your toddler ought to alter. That’s, they are going to alter supplied they’ve the correct 1-nap schedule for a toddler. Make certain you alter it to suit your youngster!

I hope this text has helped you together with your toddler’s schedule! When you want any assist, you realize the place to show.