When Do Babies Drop a Nap? What to Know

Understanding Nap Transitions

As your baby or toddler grows, they will gradually drop naps until they get enough sleep at night to no longer need daytime sleep. When your baby drops a nap depends on multiple factors, including their age. Here, we discuss when to expect your baby to drop a nap, signs they are ready, how many naps babies should take by age, and how to help them transition smoothly.

Tip

If your baby is protesting naps, having trouble falling asleep at night, or happily missing naps, check out these articles on nap transitions or take this FREE sleep assessment to see if your baby is ready for a nap transition and get step-by-step guidance on how to transition them with ease.

Why Babies Drop Naps

While naps are essential for young babies, they need less daytime sleep as they grow. Around the 16-week mark, their circadian rhythm matures, leading to more organized sleep patterns resembling those of an adult. This means more sleep at night and less during the day.

After the newborn phase, babies transition from 4 or 5 naps to eventually just 1 before stopping naps altogether. If they nap for longer than needed, it can disrupt nighttime sleep and lead to naptime resistance.

How to Tell if Your Baby is Ready to Drop a Nap

Signs Your Baby is Ready

• Trouble Falling Asleep at Nap Time: If your baby who used to nap easily now struggles to fall asleep for several days, they may be ready to drop a nap.

• Resisting Naps: Consistent resistance to napping or increased energy during usual nap times can indicate readiness to drop a nap.

• Trouble Sleeping at Bedtime: Difficulty falling asleep at night may suggest too much daytime sleep or a short wake window before bed.

• Not Cranky Without Nap: If your baby misses a nap but remains happy, it may be time to drop that nap.

Expert Tip

If your baby is resisting the afternoon nap, try skipping it and moving bedtime earlier. If they sleep well at night and aren’t cranky, continue with the new schedule.

Nap Transitions by Age

Every baby is different, but nap transitions often occur within specific age ranges.

Newborn Nap Transitions

For the first few months, babies sleep around the clock with unpredictable schedules. Wake windows are often 45 minutes or less, and they sleep over 16 hours a day.

Three-to-Four-Month-Old Nap Transition

Around three to four months, babies may take up to 5 naps a day but will soon settle into a 4-nap schedule.

Five-Month-Old Nap Transition

Around five to six months, most babies drop the fourth nap and start sleeping longer in the mid-afternoon. Moving bedtime up a bit can help prevent overtiredness during this transition.

Eight-Month-Old Nap Transition

At around eight months, babies often drop the third nap as their wake windows lengthen. Adjust bedtime earlier to help with moodiness during this transition.

Twelve-to-Fifteen-Month-Old Nap Transitions

Between 12 and 15 months, babies typically transition from 2 naps to 1 long afternoon nap. They may show signs of readiness by staying up longer in the morning or shortening their afternoon nap.

Toddler Nap Transitions

Toddlers usually drop their last nap around 3 or 4 years old, although some may need a nap until age 5. The transition from 1 to 0 naps happens when they no longer need daytime sleep, indicated by difficulty falling asleep at night.

Simple Breakdown of Nap Transitions by Age

• 3-4 months: 5 to 4 naps

• 5 months: 4 to 3 naps

• 8 months: 3 to 2 naps

• 12-15 months: 2 to 1 nap

Remember, every child is different, and this breakdown is just a guideline.

Conclusion

When it comes to nap transitions, every baby is unique and may follow their own timeline. Follow your baby’s lead and don’t stress about dropping a nap. For insights into your baby’s sleep patterns and to make nap transitions smoother, start tracking their sleep with the Smart Sleep Coach app. The app’s Smart Schedule provides the exact times for naps and bedtime to align with your baby’s sleep needs, increasing the chances of falling asleep quickly and sleeping longer stretches.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice from trusted medical sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Always consult medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment.}