When to Transition to 1 Nap

I do think 9 month is a bit young for one nap, but all kids are different. I'd look at his behavior and growth--if all is going well with one nap then maybe he just needs one long nap.

H.,

Each child is different. I think you may be being too hard on your daycare provider (I am not saying they should not work with you). I am a big believer in letting children sleep. If he took a 3 hour nap at school, he probably needed it. I understand wanting to have him on a schedule, but maybe you could try to be a little bit more flexible and roll with his changing sleep cycle. My son, now 4 usually took 2 naps a day around the same time. My daughter, now 5 mos, will sleep for 20-60 minutes a few times a day or maybe for 3-4 hours at daycare. She goes to sleep between 8 and 9:30. It just depends on the day and what is going on. As children reach certain milestones their sleep cycles change, i.e. moving more, talking, crawling, walking, new food, etc. It could just be that your son is temporarily off his schedule.

when is 1 nap OK>> it depends..

My daughter is a sleeper girl... she took 2 naps untils she was 18 months old..

My son is almost 10 months.. and depending on the day. takes 1 or 2 naps.

when they go from 2 to 1 naps.. you do have to move up the bedtime..

I wouldnt thinkthe waking at night was from the 1 nap.. I would bet that he is getting a tooth.. or getting ready to walk or some new developmental milestone..

My son was born 6/11/07 he generally sleeps 7pm - 730 am.. and takes a nap from 12-3--- or if he gets up early at 6am.. then he takes anap from 9-1030 and a second nap from 130-3 or so..

they are ready to give up naps when they start protesting and not sleeping.

Hi H. -

9 months does sound a little early for 1 nap, but kids are so different that may be all he needs. I agree that you should follow his lead. My son is 15 months and about a month ago he would fight either his morning or afternoon nap for about a week. He seemed ready for the transition. But, when we tried, he was fussy, wouldn't sleep very long and was ready for bed at 6pm!

With him, there is a fine line b/c if he sleeps too much during the day, he has a hard time settling at night. But, if he doesn't sleep enough, he wakes up a lot during the night. I found it hard to believe that he went from 3 hours of naps to 1 or 1 1/2 in a matter of a week with the same amount of night time sleep. So, I tried the 2 naps some days and 1 nap others and that seems to work out well for him. Keeps him from getting over tired and from sleeping too much during the day. I thought that would be hard on him b/c it is such an erradic schedule, but he is doing well with it. We were on a pretty set nap/bedtime schedule and now have to flex a little bit more. We keep bedtime within an hour, but on 1 nap days, he goes down at 7, on 2 nap days 8.

I think it is really trial and error. Every kid has different sleep needs. So keep trying different things and eventually you will find one that works (though it was a painful process for us!). I think you are right on track....

Good luck!

my guy is 11 mo old right now and has been only taking one nap a day for months. Yes, he will sleep for 2-3 hours for this nap, but its just his sleep need. He usually wakes around 8am and he's down for the night around 8 - 8:30. His nap usually falls around noon... His older brother was like that also. Same schedule.
Take the clues from you little guy. If he only sleeps for a bit and gets fussy again, put him back down... But if he goes like gang busters, drops after lunch, and sleeps for a few hours, follow his clues as to what time he needs to go to bed using his normal bed time as the latest...
If he gets up at night, keep the lighting low to nothing, make sure he's dry and tuck him back in... Unless theres a reason I try not to even say anything. Just walk in, let him know your still there, If he has a pacifier, plug him back in and walk out...
There are times in the development that they get nosier and if there are noises thats it for sleeping...His not wanting to take a nap could be from many things... Like mentioned before... but don't give up on it... Even if he doesn't sleep at least put him down. Then if he need the sleep he can take it.
Hope he figures it all out soon...

I strongly think that no sooner than 15 months should they be on one nap. He will push it at different stages perhaps teething or seasons changing, sickness, etc, but simply stick to your schedule. period. If he refuses to sleep he must still stay in his bed until you decide - not him. I think you are doing the right thing. One hour seems to be a good time. You may even get him out of bed after one hour and let him play or have a small snack (he may be hungry - growth spurt)for half of an hour then lay him back down - if he then falls asleep I would wake him after 45 mins and then lay him back down for his p.m. nap. Stand firm. I think too many parents allow their babies decided when they will and will not sleep. They need much more sleep than we would think. A baby that sleeps lots is healthier because their bodies are rested.

I think you are right on track. Keep doing what you are doing and continue to let your expectations be known to your daycare providers -I used to be a lead teacher in an infant classroom - so I know both ends of it.

Hang in there.

S.

I wouldn't be surprised that at 9 months he's going through some milestone changes... maybe teething or crawling a lot.Maybe you won't see it for a month or so. It seemed like everytime my son didn't sleep well at night, he got a tooth soon after.

I am a big believer in following your child's lead for naps.

My son is 14 months and over the last 2 months he's been resisting 2 naps and not sleeping as well at night if we force 2.

So, now he's down to one nap and he sleeps longer and better at night and during the daily nap.

I think there is no 'normal' for babies... the only normal is that they are each unique and have their on needs.

The No Cry Sleep Solution for Babies is a great book to read to understand sleep cycles.

I totally agree with each child is different. My girls would sleep one long nap in the middle of the day since they were 9 months old. But now my son thats a different story. I work during the day and he is home with either my husband or his uncle. They were letting him sleep for 3 hours during the day and a few times he got 2 naps. OMG did it ever screw things up. He can not I repeat can not take 2 naps nor...sleep for 3 hours in a day. He usually gets up around 8am when my girls go to school. Lays down for nap at 1pm for 1 hour or 1 1/2 hour but no longer. If he goes for long then that half lol he is horrible to deal with in the middle of the night especially. Nobody gets sleep. Sometimes if we r riding in the car and he falls asleep after I get him when I get home.... I will let him sleep for like a half hour. Thats usually around 5pm otherwise he goes to bed a 9pm the same time my girls do. Sleeps pretty good thru the night tooo. i really think it depends on the child. And let me ask this what is normal ????/ good luck and stick with what u decide. You and ur child knows best.