Not Even Two and Losing His Nap?

Juts accept it, don't fight it. If he's ready, so be it, enjoy the longer nights and the extra time you have with him in the afternoon, seriously... you'll get used to it.

Sorry E., I think that he's giving up his naps. But since he's sleeping an awful long time at night, it sounds like he doesn't need the naps.

Children are different. My son was a great napper and still would be if it didn't affect his night sleep (he's 7). My daughter on the other hand almost never napped, even as an infant. She wouldn't even fall asleep in the car. But, she was an excellent sleeper at night. I comforted myself by knowing that she was getting enough sleep at night for the 24 hour period. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 18mo-3yo should be getting 11-13 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. Based on what you reported, your son is getting enough sleep! I wouldn't worry if he doesn't nap. Instead, give him some quiet time during the day. Designate a time when he lays in bed and reads a book or listens to music. He doesn't need to fall asleep, just be quiet and rest. But, don't worry! Your son is doing just fine!

Hi E.:
I believe SH gave you some good advice.It's been a while since my boys were toddlers, but they also began slacking on the naps around 2 years of age. I don't think it a must that they go into a sound sleep.If they wanted to talk to themselves or simply lay there and cuddle their stuffed animal,that was no problem. The idea, is that their little bodies get a rest. I realize,you dread giving up your free time or rest you get as he sleeps. We all have been there. Believe me. Hes becoming more active,and imaginative,and this is natural for him to fear missing fun times while hes in bed.Try to use this stage hes coming into,for some quality time with him.Take him to the park with his favorite ball or let him show you how creative he is by giving him some paper and crayons. You'd be surprised how busy that can keep him. Take your rest,or time for yourself, when dad gets home.Even if you take off for an hour and go for a manicure or go to the gym.It sounds like you miss being out in the mix of things. Be patient,and enjoy this time with your son.There are mothers out there that wish they had the advantage of staying home,not only to make sure their children are cared for properly,but so they don't miss (Firsts) like first steps, first words.He needs you at this young age,and in a few years,you'll wish he wasn't so independent,and needed you more.I wish you and your darlin son the very best.

Hi,
Unfortunately, I will not tell you it is just a phase. My second son never took a nap more than 20 minutes after nursing and gave one up completely when he no longer nursed during the day... Children just differ and you will have to try him in the bed for a bit and see if she goes to sleep or not. Some will play quietly in the crib (put a few interesting things in the end of the bed, covered by a blanket...he will find them if he is not sleepy). Try soft music and make sure the curtains are closed and lights out. It may help, but my son would just climb out of the crib by that age. All three of my sons could throw their legs up over the crib side and get out so I had to lower the side so they wouldn't hurt themselves getting out.
We just started early bedtimes for them...and then we had to go to bed a little earlier or they would be climbing on us before we were awake.
Enjoy you little special guy even if he doesn't like naps. You could have a quiet time where you lie on your bed and look at books together or listen to music as an alternative since you only have one:) Gets more complicated by the time there are three!
H.

Oh gosh, I can relate. My 2 y/o dropped her nap recently and I was so sad! The 2-hour break each afternoon was nice. On the odd occasion that she does nap, she doesn't go to sleep till around 11 at night! That is a lot harder on me than no nap in the afternoon.

At first I was stressed out about the whole nap thing, but once everyone adjusted to the new routine, it has been OK. I didn't need that time nearly as much as I thought, and if I have to get something done I can always set her up with some art supplies or the good old standby, TV ;) and do what I need to. I've also involved her a lot more in the evening meal preparation, and that's been a nice bonding time for us.

yes there actually is a phase about 2 months before they turn 2 where they start not napping..what i did was i took my son out to the park and let him play..then at his usual nap time i made sure he was in his stroller and i went for a walk..i actually went to a shopping area and it was nice..b/c he dozed off and i got to shop..the nap was only about 30 minutes but i did this for 2 days in a row and it got him back on schedule...don't give up..my son wasn't a good napper either but now he is..he's almost 3..still takes 1.5 to 2 hour naps..i tell him its time to grow..i also give him a bottle at nap time..i know..bad..but i brush his teeth right after..only time he gets a bottle ..we call it "babahaga time" and i put a little almond chocolate milk in it w/ regular milk....he runs to his crib most of the time and wants in to get babahaga..then he asks for a wish..and a kiss..
and when i go to get him out i say.."oh wow you grew! you look taller!" i explain that sleep time is when your body and brain grow ...he doesn't nap til around 3 sometimes 4 pm..
your babe might need u to push back naptime.

good luck..don't give up..i'm one of the only moms i know that has an almost 3 year old that naps like mine does and STTN well..he goes to bed at 9 or 10 pm and wakes late now..like 9am or 10am
and he is very active...was so so hard to nap!

My daughter also stopped napping right around 2 years. I tried for a few weeks to make her nap but found that it definately interfered with her sleeping at night. I finally gave up and have adjusted. I decided that I need to get a good nights sleep more than I need the time during the day. She does still occasionally nap. Good luck!!

some kids give up a nap early. my little sister stopped napping all together at year. my 22 month old still takes 1 two hour nap. he seems to sleep enough at night. mot toddlers need 12-14 hours of sleep total. maybe when you put him down leave a few quiet toys in his crib and a sippy cup (if you do that) and just let him have some quiet alone time for a hour or so. tell him he doesnt have to sleep but he needs to stay in his crib for a while and be quiet and that you will be back when its time for him to come out. if he cries then turn the monitor off. i know that sounds mean but he needs to learn that he needs to rest. it will take time. good luck.

Every kid is different....a friend's daughter gave up naps at 18 months!

Hi E.,
My daughter phased out her naps at age two, as well. Some kids are different. We were ALWAYS so structured about her nap time and about it being at home every day. At first when she didn't want to nap, I thought, "Oh no, there goes my break during the day where I can get things done!" Then, I realized, wait a minute, she still needs that sleep. So we started putting her to bed earlier. Worked like a charm, and now my husband and I actually get more one-on-one time together. So it's great. PLUS, our days aren't broken in half anymore, with us rushing home so that she could get that good nap in at home. Opens up the day and activities so much more. My daughter is now 3.5 years and she goes to between 7 & 7:30 p.m. and wakes between 6:30 & 7 a.m.

Even if he is not going to nap, you can start to institute "quiet time" and you make the rules on where he has to stay and for how long. My first daughter was perfectly content to stay in her room and play by herself for almost 2 hours, or course, the room was completely trashed, but I got 2 hours of time! You can make it in his crib or his room, but he has to stay there, and he must play or read or hang out by himself. If he will not sleep, you will need to start out with a small amount (15 minutes) and work your way up to an hour or so. You can use a timer, or a CD or some type of clue for him to know how long the quiet time is, and he will get used to the idea, and probably even start to like it. It is a bummer when they lose their nap, but it is going to happen eventually. WHen my kids gave it up, they would fall asleep in their soup at dinner, so I had to adjust the dinner schedule and put them to bed at 6pm!! They would sleep until 6 the next morning (It was pretty nice!) So there is a silver lining!

If he doesn't need the nap then you need to adjust your own needs. Maybe let him watch a video. Or leave him in his room with a baby gate to have "quiet time." Maybe he will take a nap every third day or so. . .I had a friend whose twins gave up the nap around 2 and so she found a p.m. preschool program a few days a week for them so she could have a break. I know it sucks but if he is a great night sleeper than this is just who he is and you need to adjust.

Hi,
Bad news: I have living proof that every kid does NOT need a nap running around my living room right now. I have four kids - two of whom gave up naps VERY early. The one who gave them up fastest was my youngest. She, like your child, was done with naps before she turned two. It took me a long time to come out of denial, but in the meantime she had great fun playing pranks on Mommy while I resolutely enforced 'naptime.' I was well-informed by the same telltale signs you've listed, but I guess I just didn't want to admit naptime was over!

Your son's body has set itself to 'Diurnal' just a little earlier, that's all. Go with it, enjoy it - I'll tell you from experience that there is no sense in fighting it.

You can still get your "peace of mind time," though. Just replace naptime with Quiet Time. One of my kids started calling it Mommy's Naptime, even though I wasn't napping.

Good news: Doctors, nurses and Google have all assured me that a decreased need for sleep is often linked with higher intelligence! So even if he starts sleeping less at night, you can be consoled by the fact he's probably a genius. ;-)

Best of luck! :-)

Hi E.!

My son did the same thing around that age when his molars start to coming in! Last almost four months! Give a check in his teeth to make sure is no molars on way!
On maybe he is ready to give up a nap! I´m with you, i need that nap time for me too!

Good luck!

Work with him to get a quiet time so you can catch your breath. I took care of my godson and some days he did not nap but I gave him some picture books he liked and he would stay quiet for a while.

My middle child dropped naps before 2. Otherwise he stayed up too late. I think it just depends on the kid.

My oldest quit napping just before she hit 2yo and it was NOT a phase. She did great sleeping at night. IN fact if she did nap during the day we had to make sure it was a morning nap -before 1pm and less then 30 minutes- and she had a chance to play outside that afternoon. Even then we often had to push bedtime back a couple hours before trying to get her to sleep.

Eventually we just quit caring about naps for her. She did fine and always slept better at night. Naps would ruin our routine for days because then she would stay awake later into the night, and she always naturally woke with the sun causing the need for a nap later that day, which made for another late night and the cycle would continue.

I say to just deal without the nap for him. It sounds like he's making up for it at night anyways. Losing the nap 2 two is still withing the relative range of "normal". Also I can always tell with mine when she is sick because she ends up having to take a nap during the day.

My second one was vastly different. He still occasionally naps at 7yo and needs a good 10-11 hours everynight. He would come home from kindergarden and nap everyday!

Hope that helps

My daughter is 5 and hasn't napped since around almost 2. My son and daughter (3 and 1) must nap or they get a little cranky and coo-kie. Anyway, every child is different. Let them be and provide a consistent and structured naptime (listen to quiet music, hold a stuffed animal, allow them to read quietly, or even tell them to pretend they are sleep). Rest is important but a child's body will tell it what it needs- maybe you have a 'day-owl' and then a night sleeper. Either way encourage your child to rest, but if the child is not sleeping when you do that, don't fret- offer other supports so he or she doesn't feel 'bad' if they are unable to meet your expectation (It will add tons and go further and deeper than you can imagine to, bite the bullet, and encourage the child's self-concept while you accept that sleeping during the day is not a war: just accept your child for ALL that they are on this issue.)

Additionally, I only wish that I could be home to do this for my child. Sometimes she has gotten into a little trouble at daycare because she likes to sing at naptime and the others are asleep. At home, the house is big enough for her to sing a little tune and not be heard; this is a calming exercise and helps her relax (I know because I am a singer and educator and I encourage music in restful situations as long as it is constructive and quiet. My goodness- I actually sing to relax as well).

Finally, good luck on your endeavour and your life-journey with your beautiful baby. Always look for the best in your child early on, and you will always find what's best about him or her shining into the future!

Sincerely,
J. Harris, M.Ed.

My pediatrician told me when my daughter stopped napping (at 2) that it doesn't matter if they nap, just as long as they are getting enough sleep total in a 24 hour period.

I am sorry to say but your situation sounds just like mine 1 year ago. My son was the same way and at 2 he stopped napping. If I were you I would start to implement a 1 hour quite time in his room. This helped bc it was still like a nap but he was in his room away from me and we both got a break. I wouldn't push the issue bc when I forced it and made my son nap he refused to go to bed until well after 9:00pm. so now we don't nap and he goes to bed around 7:45pm. Some kids just don't need that much sleep. Good luck.

You sound like you evaluated your son spot on.
But sometimes, a lot of times at this age, the child is just changing...not that they don't need naps... but are just going through growing/developmental changes.

You can still try and put him to nap. Or, revisit it later. That is what I did with my son and daughter, and they still DO nap the majority of the time.

With me, my son is 29 months old, and he still naps usually twice a day, about 2-3 times a week. But always in the afternoon he WILL nap regularly....its' just his morning naps that vary. But, I go with the flow... but I have a routine, and put him down at the usual nap times. At night for bedtime, even if he naps, he still goes to bed fine and sleeps at night well.

For us also... we have a little 'family room" that I call the "quiet room." BOTH my children know, that when we go in this room... it is for QUIET things only.. AND IT MEANS 'QUIET TIME' when we go in there. Before each nap or bedtime... going to this room is just part of the routine. I will say "okay kids, time to get ready...(for nap or bed)" and then we all go downstairs and go to this room. We put on "mellow" tv/video shows or, read or just talk story. If they make noise... I put them in another room but while saying "Mommy cannot play with you now in there....AND you can't turn on the lights in that room either...." So, they pretty much just stay in the 'quiet room' before bed or nap. AND, this way, it HELPS the children to wind-down and get 'relaxed' before bed. The thing is, I have 'success' with this routine, because it IS a DAILY CONSISTENT routine, I do with them, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
My son, who is 2, will even tell my daughter "shhhh....!" if she makes noise, or he'll point to her and tell her "go!" (meaning to the other room, since she is making noise).

So, you can try something like this... have a designated "quiet" room, and make it a part of your DAILY routine. THus, if your son does not nap... then you go to this 'quiet room' with him, and you spend time there and thus, having "quiet time." A child, or any preschool for that matter, does have "quiet time" or "rest time" too. And, it's nice for Mommy too.. since you then have a "quiet" room. :)
Maybe you can start to teach him this kind of "routine"... and thus, help you to have a least some kind of 'rest' for yourself too.

The thing is, I think it's real important for kids/young children, to have a part of their day just for "mellow" things.. and not just zoom,zoom,zoom active things all day. Kids NEED quiet and respite too... and doing so helps them to just reflect and to just "learn" how to key themselves down too. It is an important "skill" for a child.

But when you DO see/notice your toddler being tired...then try and put him down for a nap. For me, I STILL keep up my kids nap routines/timing. My girl, who is 6 years old... STILL naps, in the afternoon about 3:00. She gets tired and cranky if not, and gets huge bags under her eyes. She will nap about 80% of the time still. I attribute this to my still having this "routine" with my kids. But no, I do NOT "force" them to nap. If they don't then fine... but we have QUIET time (always in the afternoon).. .and nothing electronic or noisy can be turned on or used. We do other things.

So, try and get into a "habit" of initiating a quiet time. BUT, it will take time, and you will have to keep at it.... so that it "BECOMES" a part of your day and a part of your toddler's understanding.

Good luck!
Susan

I do not have any advice for you! My daughter did the same thing. She hasn't napped in over a YEAR and she just turned THREE. I went through the same thing. But I can put her to bed at 7pm and she'll sleep for 11-12 hours! So I have a peaceful evening.

My friends advice was a nice trip to the park or a lot of activity in the AM so they're feeling the need for a nap around 1pm (or whenever your time is). Or have a set schedule where even if they don't sleep they have to lay down and "relax and have quiet time".

BTW...I'm a Mary Kay Consultant and I started for the precise reason to get away for a while and be around other women and playing with makeup and skin care is fun for me. You're welcome to contact me at ____@____.com.

Every kid needs a nap. I gave my kid a nap until he got in school or the nursery did where he was at when I worked. They need there nap. They get real cranky, fall a sleep at supper time then there up late. Every kid needs there nap until they get in school it's more healthier for them. And it makes it easier for you also. You can get things done around the house while there napping. There not as cranky and they a wake to eat supper and don't fall asleep while there eating. They need there rest. Please make him take a nap every day. They cry when you put them down but they will cry there self to sleep or you can rock them to sleep.