TODDLER

Transition Your Baby from Two Naps to One

There's no rush...but when you're ready, here are some tips to ease the shift.

Written by

Dr. Harvey Karp

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Got a baby or toddler who suddenly won’t go down for naps without an epic meltdown or midday battle? It might be time to trade their two-naps-a-day schedule for a one-nap scenario. While some parents view dropping a nap as a major accomplishment (something akin to a college graduation) others fear all the what-ifs of having one less nap. Don’t worry—or have a celebration—quite yet! First, find out if dropping the second nap is a must-do for your toddler…and learn how to make the transition from two naps to one as easy as possible.

Why should I consider transitioning my baby to one nap?

Daytime naps are lovely! And adequate daytime sleep promotes good nighttime sleep—sleep begets sleep. At the same time, it’s also true that too much daytime sleep may delay bedtime or cause middle-of-the-night waking. The trick is figuring out which bucket your little one falls into.

When do babies transition from two naps to one nap?

Most babies drop the second nap between 12 and 24 months. Some toddlers drop the morning nap, while others phase out the afternoon nap…and some tricky toddlers like to alternate, napping in the morning one day, then napping in the afternoon the next day! But be aware, this transition period from two naps to one is often a bit rocky.

If your little one is happy and playful in the late morning as they start to skip their post-breakfast nap, consider yourself very lucky. Because often, this will-they-or-won’t-they naptime ambivalence makes babies and toddlers overtired, extra grumpy…and weepy. In other words, your sweet bub will start acting even more like a little caveperson than usual!

Is 9 months too early to transition to one nap?

While most babies drop the second nap between 12 months and 24 months, not all children follow that timeline. It’s possible that some babies are ready to transition to one nap sooner. The key is to let your little one take the lead—and for you to adjust sleep times before dropping a nap cold turkey. If your bub begins showing some of the signs listed below, they may be ready to drop the extra nap, and transition to one.