Nap Transitions: When to drop a Nap

Is your Small ready to drop a nap?

If it’s time for a nap transition, this blog is for you!

I’m always honest that nap transitions can be a bit of a tricky time.

There’s often a period of adjustment as your Small adapts to a change in their daily routine AND gets less sleep during the day.

It’s totally normal for them to get a little over-tired during transition time. It’s all part of the process and you can’t avoid it.

But any trickiness or over-tiredness is usually only temporary. And if we give transitions a little time your Small will likely settle into their new routine!

Two things you need to know about every nap transition:

1. There’s absolutely no right time to transition

I suggest waiting for signs that your Small is ready.

Because, like most things with sleep, when we meet them where they are – not where we think they should be, it’s usually a much easier and smoother transition for both of you!

2. Take your time to transition naps.

Take your time, go at your Small’s pace and do it slowly if needed. They all get there in their own time and it’s not a race!

Transitions are hardly ever linear and they may need the nap they’re trying to drop every other day for a while before they drop it altogether.

And now here’s all you need to know about nap transitions…

Nap transition: 3 - 2 naps

The first nap your Small will likely drop is their cap nap - the last one at the end of the day.

What age do babies drop their cat nap?

This can happen anywhere between 6 months and 9 months (but, again your Small’s nap needs are unique)

when do i know my baby is ready to drop their cat nap?

It gets harder or takes ages to settle them at nap time

They totally refuse the nap altogether

If the cat nap starts getting pushed later, to anywhere near 6pm, I generally suggest dropping it.

Things that can help the 3-2 nap transition:

Start pushing their first and second nap slowly later. I suggest nudging these naps by 10/15 every 2-4 days to help prevent a super long stretch to bedtime!
Keeping the afternoons on the down low/quiet where you can
Having some time out. They may not want to nap, but rest is still restorative!
A quiet cuddle/book/ walk in the pram can help prevent them getting from overtired
Try to stick to their usual bedtime if you can, but if they’re really struggling you can bring it slightly earlier by 10/15 minutes

When your baby takes longer to settle than they actually nap for, it’s time to think about adjusting their sleep schedule!

Nap transition: 2 - 1

The second nap to get dropped is usually the morning nap, although some Smalls will drop their afternoon nap first.

What age do babies transition to one nap?

Anywhere between 10 months (which is on the very early side but it can happen!) and 19 months.

when do i know my baby is ready to drop to one nap?

It gets harder or takes ages to settle them at nap time.
They may point-blank refuse the nap

When the morning nap starts getting pushed later to anywhere near 11/11.30am I generally suggest making it a one nap day!

Things that can help the 2-1 nap transition:

Keep the mornings on the down low/ quiet where you can
Have some time out whilst they transition. They may not want to nap but any rest is still restorative! A quiet cuddle, book or quiet activity can help prevent them from getting over tired
If they need a second nap to see them through the transition, I suggest keeping it on the shorter side. Ideally, it’s a 10/15 minute power snooze to see them through to lunch or bedtime depending on which nap they are dropping!
Try to stick to their usual bedtime if you can, but if you need to bring bedtime slightly earlier by 10/15 minutes that’s ok.

Nap transition: Drop all Naps

The very last nap (I know big sigh!) to get dropped is usually the lunchtime nap, although for some this nap isn’t around lunchtime!

This is why I suggest making this nap the priority because it hangs around for a while and becomes their main doze of the day.

What age do babies transition to no naps?

This transition can happen anywhere between 18 months (which is very early but happens!) and 4 years.

when do i know my baby is ready to drop to no naps?

It gets harder or takes ages to settle them at nap time
They totally refuse the nap altogether.
They may even point-blank refuse it and make it to bedtime!

When they take longer to settle than they actually nap for, it’s time to think about adjusting their sleep schedule.

If this nap starts getting pushed later to anywhere near 3/3.30 pm or your Small starts to battle bedtime, I generally suggest it’s time to scrap the nap.

Things that can help the transition to no naps:

They may need a nap every other day to start with
Keep the afternoons on the down low/quiet where you can
Have some time out whilst they transition. They may not want to nap, but resting is still rest!
A quiet cuddle, book or quiet activity can help prevent them from getting over tired
Bringing bedtime slightly earlier by 10/15 minutes can also help manage any bed begging at the end of the day

Please remember that your Small’s naps needs are unique to them and they transition in their own time. This is not the gospel but a general guide!

I really hope it’s reassuring and helps you when it comes to your nap transition times.