How old is too old for a child to have 2 naps?

Question

My son is now 13 months. Sometimes I think his schedule is changing and hes going to 1 nap but boy is he a nightmare by dinner time. Now he is back to 1 1/2 hours about 2 hours after he wakes up and then again 1 1/2 hours about 3 or 4 hours after he wakes up from that one. Is that too much? Is he too old to have 2 naps? We tried to go to 1 but he still sleeps the same short amount and he is very grumpy.

He sleeps like 10 hours or so at night and then doing 2 naps feels like he sleeps the day away. Dont get me wrong Im not complaining I just feel like hes missing out on stuff b/c he sleeping. But if hes doesnt get that sleep nobody would want to be around him. hehehe

Answer 1

He can continue on 2 naps for a while yet... start shortening the nap you want to drop slowly and wean him off it over time.  

Answer 2

He's growing let him sleep! Heck my 7year old still takes a nap. LOL thats more so for me with a new baby, but does not hurt them to get a cat nap in.

Answer 3

babies need lots of sleep and kids still have afternoon naps in pre k and kindergarten  

Answer 4

It's around this age they usually give up the morning nap. But some still need it by the time they're 18 months... it depends on your son.

I noticed my son was getting harder and harder to go down for his morning nap and then would utterly refuse to take an afternoon nap.

So I started holding out on the morning nap, I pushed it to 11 am then 1130 then 12 and leaving it to just one nap.

Now my son usually takes his afternoon nap around 1230-1, no morning nap.

PS - Everything I read said he needed all this sleep, but he started taking 1 nap at 10 months old.... Listen to your son not what the "experts" say.

Answer 5

You'll know when to change his naps during the day because he won't settle well at night or he will wake earlier in the morning. Also, his morning nap will get later on in the morning and the two will merge into one just after lunch time. Just let him guide you.

Answer 6

My daughter is not old enough for scheduled naps quite yet, but I can tell you how things worked when I worked at a learning center a couple of years ago. Children ages 15 months and younger were free to nap as they pleased- most of the time it was 2 naps. At 16 months children moved into the "toddler" room where one nap was standard. The nap was usually two hours long and was from 1-3 p.m. That said, we never had to deal with children after they went home at 5 or 6 so they may have been very crabby after that.

I think that I would allow your son to continue taking two naps for a while longer. Eventually, I would try to cut out the morning nap if possible, but I don't think it's urgent. Good luck!!

Answer 7

If your son is sleeping those naps then he must need them!  My nephew is 15 mths old and is taking 2 naps during the day (1 1/2 and 2 hours long) He goes to sleep at 8:30am and gets woken up at 7am.  We'll keep him on the 2 nap until he doesn't need it anymore, but he is also a terror to handle if you mess with his naps!!

Answer 8

my oldest slept 12 hours and night and didn't stop taking 2 naps until he was 18 months old.  Some babies just love their sleep, consider yourself lucky.

Answer 9

if he wants to sleep, let him. my mom said I stopped taking naps after 18 months. My brother still had his nap in kindergarten, my mom would have to carry him off the bus, he would always fall asleep (it was a half day back then)

Answer 10

My son was almost 2 before he gave up his morning nap.  I am not sure if you work outside of the home, but I did, and my son was in daycare and when all the other kids went down for naps he did too, and it took him awhile to get out of the habit.  My son was usually in bed by 7-7:30 too.  If you didn't need the sleep he would not sleep, so don't worry he will eventually give you clues on when he is ready to be up more.

Answer 11

As long as he is sleeping through the night fine then 2 naps during the day is fine. If he starts waking up in the middle of the night or waking up at 3am for the day then you would take his nap out. With my oldest he took 2 naps until he was 14months but my second one stopped his second nap at 9months so it varies with children. If you are that concerned maybe just wake him up from a nap after an hour. My 17month old takes a 2.5 hour nap everyday. So you could break your sons up into two 1 hour naps. one in morning one in afternoon. I hope this helps

Answer 12

No, that is fine. Every child is different and some may need 2 naps while others may need one. Here is a chart below. As you can see, 1-2 naps are normal all the way up until they turn 2.  

Answer 13

My son is the same age and he still has to have two naps. I don't think that there is an age limit to naps everyone needs them. Just let him have his naps so he won't be so grumpy there is nothing wrong with the time either.

Answer 14

no! he still mad young

Answer 15

If he is happy with two naps, then leave him alone.....he'll let you know when it is too much.  I think one nap usually happens around 18 months to 24 months.

Answer 16

I used to think that was excessive, but some research has emerged supporting sleep in infants and toddlers.

We all know that sleep is when we regenerate or "re-charge our batteries" and it makes sense to me that when you have a child who is constantly growing, they will need plenty of sleep to re-charge theirs. I think that its good that he sleeps a lot! I think that its part of growing up and he will grow out of it!

No worries. Soon, you'll be wishing he'd sleep- cause then he'll move into that not wanting to sleep phase! (Hopefully not!)

Sure the experts have their research, but you're his mom! His true expert:)

Best of Luck...Many posters are right on!

Answer 17

i think that's excessive. the kids at the daycare usually have one nap. sometimes when they come in during the morning (very early like 6am) they lay down if they're tired. maybe he's not sleeping well or lays awake when you think he's asleep and gets only a fraction of what you think he's getting. anyway. i hope you figure it out. good luck.

Answer 18

Nope if his little bodyis needing a nap he needs to take it. My stepson was a little over 2 when he started to do only one. They will atart to stay more alert during the day and then end up with none at all. Enjoy it while you can - LOL!

Answer 19

If you're really tired, why not have a nap?! I do and I'm nearly 20! I don't just have one anywhere, anytime mind.