When your miracle is born, you spend hours on end staring at his or her tiny, cherubic face, wishing those eyes would open. As the days and nights pass and fatigue sets in, you begin to hope for the opposite, counting the hours until you can sleep while your baby does. And once little ones begin walking, the world moves even faster for you.
The astounding fact is that we sleep almost one-third of our lives. Scientists think that metabolic processes in the brain and body are involved in regeneration during various phases of sleep. Babies are known to sleep a lot because their little bodies are still young and need considerable development. Naps throughout the day supply some of this needed shut-eye.
Nothing is wrong with enjoying these moments of respite. Even when kids are older, around 3 or 4, planning a resting time with special books, music and calm is a good idea. Even if they don’t sleep, they will feel bolstered by a sense of security that they will take with them through life.
If you are wondering when your child will stop napping, watch for some common signals. Mood is one. Your toddler may exhibit high mood levels and energy throughout his day, even if he has stopped napping. He may stay awake from morning until late evening with no complaining or becoming fussy. You can judge what he needs. Also, if your little one struggles to fall asleep during naptime—lying awake in bed and not nodding off peacefully—that is a good sign she is getting enough sleep during the night and can graduate to a simple rest time during the day.
Another signal is when naps result in your child’s having trouble falling asleep at night. You might notice she calls for you several times or wakes up a lot earlier than usual. If your toddler has a restful sleep during the night without needing naps, she might have outgrown daytime sleeping. Remember, toddlers need around 12 hours a night, so if you see that yours is getting that full amount, naptime might become a thing of the past.
You don’t have to go cold turkey! Slowly help your toddler transition from napping once or twice each day, to not at all. Tips on weaning include stretching it out over weeks or even months. A strict routine helps, with a proper noon break, right after lunch, when you put him in bed and let him lie down as long as he wants. Make sure it’s a special, peaceful time with a favorite toy or snuggly blanket. Those machines that play calming sounds, such as rainforests, oceans and birds, help with relaxation too.
If you see crankiness with a nap, simply move bedtime up a bit. Another tip is to move naptime to earlier in the day, such as late morning. If your tot is done with daily naptime before lunch, getting ready for bed will be a lot simpler. Playing outside helps with a peaceful naptime too.
“I think it depends on the child. I would put my son, Levi, down every afternoon at the same time. He was usually asleep within 10 minutes or so, no fuss. As he grew older, around 4, I started noticing that he would fight it. As a parent it became quiet time instead of sleep. It's like he transitioned himself,” Ashley Zuniga, mother of Levi, 5, and Audreyana, 3, says. “My 3-year-old diva, Audreyana, only needs a sip of apple juice, her favorite blankie and a stuffed animal. And just like that she is down for the count!”
An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert live in Lee’s Summit and enjoys all seasons, especially summer. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.
A newborn baby, from birth to 3 months, sleeps for nearly 16 to 18 hours each day! About eight to nine hours of that is regular sleep, and the rest comes from naps throughout the day. From 4 to 12 months, your baby’s sleep amount drastically declines to 12 to 16 hours a day, with nine to 10 hours being reserved for regular sleep, along with two to three naps. Toddlers, between the ages of 1 and 2, sleep for around 11 to 14 hours a day, with 11 hours being at night and the rest in the form of about two naps. At ages 3 to 5, toddlers sleep for around 10 to 12 hours, with almost all of that time being at night. However, it may be difficult to identify when your toddler is ready to skip the naps and just sleep at night. As a parent, you and your child will figure out what works best for you. Let your heart be your guide—and your little one’s schedule!
Sources: Parenting.FirstCry.com, BabySleepTight.com
Web Throw: Time for a big kid bed? Ready to give up the security blanket? For tips on smooth toddler transitions, visit KCParent.com.