I was searching the web recently to see when kids typically stop napping (because I dread the day) and found this cool chart along with other sleep info. I rely on my daughter’s nap SO much to get things done. I can’t imagine when the nap stops! Just curious, those with older kids, when did they give up the nap? Please post a comment here!
Speaking of sleep, I think I said the word “sleep” more in the first year of my daughter’s life, than in all 33 of my years combined! I was obsessed with it. I was more tired than I have ever been in my life, on the fast train to loonyville for sure. Looking back now I realize that period of time when no one is sleeping really went fast in the whole scheme of things, but when you are a first time mom, doesn’t it feel like you will never sleep again!?!
After months and months of night-wakings and sleep deprivation, my cousin (and mothering guru) recommended a book she loved on the all important topic. The book is called “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” by Dr. Weissbluth, and it totally worked for us. It was miraculous. So, if you are sleep deprived and looking for some help, this one is definitely worth giving a shot.
P.S. Is it weird that MY ideal night’s sleep is the same as a 10-year old???
Both of my kids went from two naps to one around 17 months of age. It’s funny you wrote about this because my oldest son just stopped his nap yesterday and he’ll be 4 in December. It wasn’t that he wasn’t napping but he would nap for an hour or two in the afternoon, get up at 4:00 or 4:30 and then not go to bed until 10:00 or 11:00PM…sometimes after we went to bed! So, I cut out his nap altogether and now he’s asleep by 7:00 and sleeps until 7:00 or 8:00 AM. Of course, it’s only Day #2 so keep your fingers crossed. I tried this a couple of months ago but it’s working out better now…I think it’s because it’s already dark out at 7:00 and back in July it was still so bright out so his body clock probably wasn’t getting the message. Sorry for the long post.
Thanks for your input, I hope I get at least another year of napping out of her! 🙂 Sounds like that is a good schedule for you, I will keep my fingers crossed it works out. Getting your kids on a good sleep pattern is so important for the whole family! I know! Keep commenting! I love to hear everyone’s experiences.
My daughter is now 3 and she stopped napping at about age 2 1/2. Ironically just as we brought home our new baby… But at least she was napping when I was pregnant and needing a nap. We had the same experience. She was always a big napper (1 nap) 2-3 hrs. But all of a sudden bed time became a battle and she was going to bed later and later. I am not a fit parent after 8pm so I realized I had to be a grown-up and handle a full day with my toddler… It was a very hard transition for me. I would still have her do "quiet time" behind her gated room for 1 hr and read and play. This gave me a little time to eat and do whatever else. She is now 3.3 yrs and does not usually have quiet time. She naps maybe twice a week and we only let her sleep for an hour so that she will still sleep at night. Good luck:)
What a great chart about napping. My daughter is now 2-1/2, and is apparently right on schedule. Although, I’m hoping her napping goes on well past 4 years old! I’m glad you recommended the book by Weissbluth. My friend recommended it to me when my daughter was a baby, and we found the book very effective. Our daughter has been a great sleeper ever since!!!
Until now I still take a nap in the afternoon, 30mins to 1hr this gives me more energy and also to my niece who is 4 years old.