The best 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 night time plus 2-3 hours in the course of the day. This text will let you know the best way to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap based mostly on my 15+ years as an toddler and toddler sleep guide.

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 guide, I discover many 13-14-month-olds are able to transition. There are just a few 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’ve 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’re feeling squeezed for time, it’s in all probability time to transition.
• Your toddler has a break up night time, that means they’re awake and alert for 1-3 hours in the midst of the night time.
• In case your toddler is skipping considered one of their naps 4 or extra instances per week, it could be time to transition to a 1-nap schedule.
• Lastly, in case your toddler’s bedtime rivals your individual or they will’t go to sleep till very late at night time, it could be that their final wake window of the day has gotten too lengthy for a 2-nap schedule.

The best 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 baby. Even kids inside the identical family would possibly do it in several methods. Listed here are 3 methods you are able to do this vital transition so you will get it proper to your baby:

Technique 1: Squeeze the First Nap

In case your toddler tolerates being woken up from a nap, you may 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 steadily 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, 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 once you assume 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 comply with Technique 3 under.
• Your toddler could be overtired after a brief morning nap after which take a brief afternoon nap. Give it just a few days earlier than you reevaluate. They might merely want to regulate.

Technique 2: Squeeze the Second Nap

With this methodology, your purpose is to steadily 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 every single 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 (Be aware: Bedtime would possibly quickly 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 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, supply 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 irrespective of how quick 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, nonetheless, the afternoon nap permits them to catch up earlier than bedtime that night time, one of many advantages of this methodology
• Your toddler would possibly take two quick naps, as an alternative, however that is momentary and a part of the transition in some instances.

Technique 3: Abrupt Change of the Schedule

The ultimate methodology is solely 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 frame in the midst of the night time (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 at the least a 2+ hour nap.

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

Typically 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 few times per week whereas they transition. This may curb among 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 just a few weeks, your toddler ought to alter. That’s, they’ll alter offered they’ve the best 1-nap schedule for a toddler. Ensure you alter it to suit your baby!

I hope this text has helped you along with your toddler’s schedule! Should you want any assist, you already know the place to show.