When Do Kids Stop Napping?

Sleep allows your body to restore and recharge for the next day. It functions in the same way among kids and adults. However, it has been shown that kids need more sleep than grown-ups. Toddlers and preschool-aged children need an average of twelve hours of sleep a day, whereas, for adults, the ideal number is eight hours.

Kids need more sleep because they are constantly growing, and sleep is a way to promote growth and restoration. Because they require more sleep, children need to have regular nap time, usually an afternoon nap. But as children grow older, nap time becomes more of a struggle. Eventually, children stop napping, and it's a normal part of growing up. But when do you know that your kids are ready to stop napping?

Benefits of Nap Time

Better Memory Retention

It has been shown that naps promote better cognitive function in children, especially infants. A study done by the University of Arizona has revealed that napping promotes a higher form of learning in infants called abstraction. Sleeping is also a way for infants to learn more about their world. Most kids in the study who had a daily nap time performed better cognitively than those non-napping toddlers.

Nap Time Promotes Growth

The pituitary gland, a gland located in the brain, is responsible for secreting the growth hormone. This hormone promotes growth and is typically released during deep sleep. Napping promotes growth by encouraging the production of this hormone when a child is asleep. The growth hormone is also released during nighttime sleep.

If you're worried about growth stunting when your children stop napping- don't. Sometimes a child stops napping because it is a sign that their body does not need to produce the growth hormone as much as in their earlier years.

Better Emotional Response

A study done at the University of Tuebingen has shown that children have better emotional responses after a period of sleep. Compared to non-napping toddlers, those who took naps elicited a better emotional response to stimuli. This is the reason why you should be investing in a good mattress for your growing child. A quality mattress promotes better sleep and will also last you longer. You may notice that your child is ready to stop napping when they are less fussy, even if they don't sleep at their regular scheduled nap time.

Regular Naps Promote Better Health

A study published in the Clinical Journal of Sleep Medicine has shown that daytime napping can lessen the chances of developing childhood obesity. Establishing a regular sleep pattern and daytime naps or afternoon naps is essential for promoting overall health. When your child is no longer napping, you have to be more conscious about their diet as children who don't sleep enough tend to eat more and may end up with other health issues.

Improved Mood

Children are notably more grumpy when they skip naps. This is not a coincidence, as it has been proven that naps help improve overall mood by assisting children to process their emotions. Napping is not just good for memory recall, but it is also an important factor in maintaining your child's mood throughout the day.

When Do Kids Stop Napping?

Toddlers stop napping at around 18 months. You will notice that they will eventually transition from taking two naps to just one nap in a day. When children reach five years old, they usually stop napping altogether. At this age, it is essential to establish a regular bedtime routine to help children sleep earlier and better during the night.

It is essential that you are attentive to your child's changing nap time and habits as the readiness to stop napping can occur at different ages. When your kid starts to show these signs, it is a signal that your child is ready to stop napping.

They Wake Up Early

One of the signs your child does not need naps is when they wake up earlier in the morning. Instead of being beneficial, forcing your child to nap when they no longer need to can, in turn, lead to less sleep. Instead of trying to eliminate naps cold turkey, you can slowly ease them into fewer naps throughout the day. Try having them take one nap instead of two naps in a day to see the difference.

They Are Not Sleepy Throughout the Day

If you notice that your child is not yawning or cranky during their supposed regular nap hours, it may signify that they are ready to stop napping. This is a gradual process, and you have to be very observant to determine whether they are prepared to start dropping naps.

If you notice your child is no longer falling asleep during long car rides, they may be telling you that they are ready to take fewer naps. A young child will usually show readiness to stop napping at around five years old. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Some children take long periods of adjustment before they are ready to stop taking a nap.

They Have Difficulty Falling Asleep at Nighttime

You can tell that a child is ready to stop taking a nap when they have difficulty falling asleep at night when they nap during the day. Children ready to stop napping may have already developed a more in-tune circadian clock, determining when they need to sleep. If your child is ready to stop taking a nap, forcing them to nap may disrupt this circadian rhythm, disturbing their bedtime. Try to drop naps so they can get better nocturnal sleep gradually.

Naptime is Becoming Difficult

Most children will stop taking naps at around five years old. Some children reach this point earlier, some at a later time. As your child nears this point, they may start taking fewer naps, and it may become increasingly difficult to get them in bed. It may be tempting to force your child to take a nap so you can have more time for yourself. But forcing your child to take a nap when they don't want to will eventually lead to tantrums and frustration. If your child can stay awake during their scheduled daytime nap, they may be ready to stop taking naps.

They Don't Feel Sleepy Around Nap Time

There is no exact age at which children will stop taking naps. When your child is ready to stop taking naps, you may notice that they usually don't feel sleepy around their regular nap times and don't want to get into bed.

They may choose to stay awake doing other activities. Nearly all children undergo this transition phase, and there will be some days where a nap is needed, but not always. When they stop taking a nap, you may notice that they sleep better at night and sleep longer.

How To Transition From Naps

It's essential to adjust your schedule when your kids stop taking a nap. It would mean integrating more activities into their day to replace nap time.

Establish a Bedtime Routine

When your kids transition into taking fewer naps, you may notice that they will only take one nap instead of two. At this point, it is essential to establish a bedroom routine that will let them know that it's time for bed. Stopping naps is not necessarily a bad thing- it's one of the signs your child is growing up and ready for a more grown-up bedtime routine.

Make Bedtime Earlier

If you find your little one no longer needs a nap, but tends to get fussy during the time leading up to the night, you may find that adjusting your schedule to fit an earlier bedtime could do wonders. Get your little one in bed earlier to have time for yourself and ensure that your child sleeps through the night. Opting for an earlier bedtime is an excellent way to transition if you are just new at stopping naps.

Set up Some Quiet Time

When kids stop taking a nap, there is more time for them to do some activities. Keeping your little one entertained throughout the day would mean you have to compromise on other activities. With some quiet time, you can get the rest you want throughout the day. Here are some tips for easing in your little ones to have some quiet time:

• Play quietly
• Read book
• Do some quiet activity

Try doing these quiet time activities for a few weeks with your little one instead of taking naps. Soon, they will be ready to have some quiet time on their own and may be able to fall asleep faster and sleep at night better, even without a nap.

Provide Structure

Children who grow up with a regular nap throughout the day may find it confusing when you decide not to make time for naps anymore. To address this, try to make a structured routine using visual cues that will help explain to your child their activities throughout the day. Let your child understand when they are expected to sleep and when they should be doing certain activities such as breakfast or dinner.

This structure is just a guide to help your child understand his schedule. Because children usually stop taking a nap at five years old, it would be easier for them to grasp the concept of time and schedule.

Go For the Occasional Nap

Even though it seems like your child has given up on taking a morning nap, there may be days when they need a few extra hours of sleep. If you find that your child is falling asleep during the day or is becoming irritable, you can put him to bed for a quick nap. The occasional nap time will not disrupt his sleep schedule and cause trouble falling asleep as long as it's not too close to his actual bedtime. An occasional nap also means that you can sneak in some additional rest time for yourself.

Don't Force the Nap

Napping has already become part of the routine since your child was born. It is natural that you'll both feel disrupted by the change of routine. However, you must remember that you shouldn't force your child to nap if they don't want to.

Find other alternative activities that they can do by themselves instead. If your child goes to a preschool that has regular nap schedules, see if you can arrange to have some quiet time for your little one instead. This will make them more accustomed to quiet time replacing nap time.

Limit Screen Time

Experts recommend limiting screen time for little kids to two hours a day. Although there is no conclusive evidence, some findings suggest that excessive screen time can lead to various cognitive and physical issues. Too much time on the screen also exposes children to blue light, which affects the body's normal circadian rhythm. You may want to limit screen time if you're going to establish a better sleep pattern for your little one.

How Can Leesa Help You? 

A Leesa kids' mattress or daybed will help your child fall asleep quickly and awake fresh every morning. CertiPUR-US® certified Leesa mattresses offer you peace of mind knowing that your child's mattress is free from phthalates, formaldehyde, and heavy metals, and made with non-toxic materials. Our knit cushion uses aerated foam to relieve pressure after a long day of activity and will support growing joints. In addition, our soft, breathable mattresses ensure your children won't sweat, and supportive memory foam mattresses keep them cool and comfortable while they sleep. 

Conclusion

Naps are essential in child development, especially during a child's early years. Most children don't need naps once they reach a certain age, but the occasional nap even until the teen years can still work well for kids who have low energy during the day. Remember to keep these naps short, so they don't interfere with their sleep at night. Once your child shows signs that they are ready to stop taking a nap, take it as a cue that they are prepared to achieve another milestone.

Weaning off naps is just a normal part of childhood development and should not be a cause of concern. Most children easily transition into not napping during the day. As a parent, you also have to ensure that your child is occupied with quiet activities to replace naptime so that you don't get burned out by keeping them entertained all day.

A good mattress for your little one will also ensure that they get the best sleep to wake up feeling ready to take on the day's adventures.

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