When to End Daytime Nap?

Hi A.,
My daughter, who will be 2 in August is the same way, however she's usually ready for bed by 9PM. She usually wears herself out after the nap! I find that a bedtime routine works out; read a book at a certain time, bath-time...you can find creative ways to make it routine. I agree with you 100%, if my daughter does not get her nap out she is not the friendliest child to be around. I believe they need their naps simply because they are constantly growing. She usually naps at about 12 or 1PM and wakes up about 3 or 4PM. I hope you find a solution but I do not think you should break her nap time.
Best Wishes to you!

What you've got is a great thing! Not just because she naps for a long time--that's just a plus--but your little girl is happy to be by herself, she can entertain herself, she doesn't need stuff to play with, and she's using her imagination!

Kids NEED detox time, time by themselves, just like we do. And she needs her naps -- a lot of the behavioral problems I saw when teaching preschool was that kids weren't getting enough rest during the day.

If kids can relax and rest during the day, they're going to sleep better at night, and the times they're up they're gonna be much more pleasant, willing to learn, and ready to interact.

You're doing a good thing. Keep it up. Her biorythyms WILL change (and probably pretty soon), so just adapt your routine to her needs...but wait for her show signs of needing the change.

You're being a good mom. We like good moms. :-)

I don't see the reason to stop naptimes, honestly. It sounds they work for your little girl. 10pm for a bedtime for a 2 1/2 yr. old isn't unreasonable. My 13 month old goes to bed right around 10. It still gives me time to wind down and have some alone time with my husband.

First off, Congrats on raising a sleep-healthy child! It's so important for her development.

Secondly, I would talk to her pediatrician before you change her routine. It sounds like she's doing great right now.

Try moving her nap up by 30 minutes and see what happens. Also, maybe try to get her outside or to play a little harder/have more active play after she wakes up. Maybe this would help get her tired.

If she's not fussing at bedtime and sits in her bed for a little while after you put her down, that's OK. She knows how to play by herself and keep herself entertained and that's a good thing! :)

I would not suggest waking her up in middle of her nap. Children need to complete their sleep cycles without being woken up. Being woken up can have negative effects on their sleep schedules. There's no need to cut back on her naps at 2 1/2 years, she won't be going to school for quite awhile so I don't think you need to worry about that. Her habits will change so much by the time she starts preschool or kindergarten anyway.

There's a great book my sister loaned me by Marc Weissbluth- Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I recommend this book to many people. He's always been right on target with the stages my daughter has been through.

All that being said, every child is different. Some children stop needing naps completely at 3 years and others don't get rid of their naps until they're 5 or older. My sister used to come home from kindergarten and go right upstairs to lay herself down!

Good luck!

hi there! I have found a book written by a doctor that I absolutely love! There are sections that are age specific and talk about the appropriate amount of sleep that children need at each age.The book is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth MD.here is an amazon link directly to the book-- just copy and paste. hope this helps!.....A. #2
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-###-###-####-###...

Hi A.,
I am a total believer that this situation is based on the kid.
For example, my son took a long 2-3 hour nap every day until he was 4 years old and then turned around and went to bed with no problems at 8:00pm. On the other hand, my daughter when she hit 2 1/2 did exactly what yours is doing.... still took a nap, but wouldnt go to bed at her 8:00 bedtime. Many a nights we would find her on the stairs watching TV behind us and we didnt even know it.
I stopped giving her a nap all together. But then she would start falling asleep on the couch around 5:00 or 6:00 because she hadnt napped... it was a little of a struggle. So I started putting her down for a little "rest" (thats what we called it) around 12:30, after lunch. If she did fall asleep I woke her up an hour later. That way she got a little sleep and could function thru the day, but it didnt cause problems at bedtime. We did that for a short time until we phased naps out all together. Now, she is 3 1/2, if we have had a long hard day and she its 4:30 or 5:00 and she is starting to fade, we get her involved in something like a game or a book. Then we give her a bath and put her to bed a little early. Sometimes 7:00. She goes right down and I dont hear from her until 7:00 or 8:00 the next morning.
Like I said, I think every child is different and you will find something that will work with your little one. This is a hard age, because they still need a little down time, but to much of it can mess up their nightly routine. Hopefully you can find a good balance!
Good luck

I wouldn't change a thing!
She may stop taking naps, and then STILL not be able to sleep until 10pm after getting a 2nd (or 3rd) wind! If you are wanting more free time at night with hubby, maybe go for morning time with hubby instead? Also, the extra time between the 2 kids bedtime gives you some one on one time with the 2yo!

Well I think it's all been said. But I wanted to add that My daughter is 4 and does teh same thing so I only make her nap when I notice she is crabby or when she asks to and it is for as long as she wants, it's made bedtime really simple and stopped the fights we would have every couple of nights because she didn't want to go to sleep because I made her take a nap she didn't need that day. So keep doing what you are doing it sounds like that little girl of yours is doing great, good job.

I would really consider at least shortening her naps first. Our son did not wake up well either on our terms, so we had to find ways to wake him without him realizing it was not his choice! We call him softly, and tickle him! It works like a charm. Now, this is from night time sleep, as ha has not taken naps since like 1 year old and is 3 now. Given your girls age, she may be starting preschool soon and will not be able to ake a 3 hour nap at 1p.m.! It will take time, and just try to cut a half hour at a time. Go that for a week, then cut another half-hour.
Good luck

I would suggest starting her nap earlier. I think I would gradually move lunch to about 11:30 and nap to 12:00. Have an activity before lunch that will help her get sleepy earlier like playing out in the sun or taking a walk so that she is ready to sleep at noon. If you put her down earlier she may be more ready for bed in the evening since there is more time between nap and bedtime.

It sounds like she is doing really well on her own. She is recognizing when she is tired & not. I read somewhere once that kids don't always fall asleep just because they are laying in a bed. Do you? As an adult, we do things that help us fall asleep. Is she staying in bed & just not falling asleep? My son did this for awhile. We would put him to bed around 9pm & he would stay in bed & play quietly for almost 2 hours. I personally wouldn't change anything.

Hi A. I would say to restrict her naps to and hour and a half and see if that helps I know you enjoy the quiet time as we all do but if she isnt getting tired at night then she is getting too much sleep during the day my youngest daughter now almost 5 was a great sleeper as well still is for the most part so count your blessings..lol yeah you pretty much have to play with it and see what works best for everyone. Feel free to contact me behindthesehazeleyes75.. on messenger