There’s no such scale that one can use to answer the question, “when do toddlers stop napping?” Each child is different, and so is their sleeping cycle. Your toddler may stop napping sooner or later than your neighbor’s child or other kids in your family.
The actual things that determine the sleeping cycles are the energy level of the kids, their active duration in the day, and the amount of sleep they’re getting at night. The majority of kids don’t minimize their naps until their preschool years start. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), half the kids continue napping when they are 4 years old, and the numbers drop to 30% by age 5.
The minimum number of hours toddlers need to sleep each day is 12. Some toddlers don’t nap because they get their full sleep at night.
Signs your child is ready to stop napping
At a certain age, the toddlers become irritated by the daytime naps. You may think that your child no longer needs napping.
But before you become too sure of this conclusion, you need to look at some signs that will tell if it’s really the time for your child to stop napping or not.
Look at these signs as they indicate that napping is still important and essential for your toddler.
- Your kid is still continuing his or her nap routine. If the child is sleeping by himself, it means they still need the rest. If the nap ends too early, they may feel irritated.
- You may notice a change in the attitude of your child due to the absence of enough sleep. The sleepy toddler may feel irritated or become hyperactive. Sleeplessness can also impact emotional behavior. A significant difference in the attitude during the day or evening is an indication that your kid still needs an ample amount of sleep during the daytime.
- There are signs that indicate a lack of sleep. Even if your toddler doesn’t nap, they may yawn, feel low on energy, or rub their eyes.
A child may be old enough to skip napping if they are not willing to sleep during the daytime. Or when even small naps make it difficult for them to sleep at night.
When to see a doctor?
Toddlers stop napping at different ages. But you may be worried about your grown-up kid who still requires a nap. Or your small kid who doesn’t want to nap but definitely needs one.
If your child is napping normally, you don’t need to worry much, but talking to a pediatrician would be a good option.
Schedule an appointment with Pediatric Healthcare of Northwest Houston P.A. by calling (281) 655 1500.
