When Do Toddlers Stop Napping?
Why do toddlers stop napping? What causes them to do so? Toddlers typically sleep for eight to ten hours a day and this can be an easy and convenient time for them to nap. But, as they get older it is harder to make sure that they have uninterrupted sleep. They are not used to being without a nap at night, and so when they wake up they are accustomed to having one or two hours of sleep, rather than eight or ten. As they grow older, their sleep habits become more established and it is more difficult for them to get five or six hours of sleep at night.
Another reason that they tend to stop sleeping at night is that their routines are not quite right. Their daily schedules are often not very well rounded. For instance, they may be riding in the car in the middle of the night, but when it gets dark their dinner is already done. Or they may be running around with five children in each room, but when it gets dark their bedtime routine is ten minutes before they go to sleep.
The most common thing that causes a toddler to nap is a change in their daily routine. A three-year-old who has been sleeping for eight hours at night may, when giving an extended nap by his parents, decide that he needs to be rested. He may decide that he wants to get back to bed even after his parents have put him to bed. He may not feel rested during the day, but when he gets home it is much easier for him to go back to sleep than if he had gone to bed immediately after his parents put him to bed.
Some preschoolers may also find that their napping patterns change as they get older. As they get older, their patterns of nap scheduling become more regular. This means that they may sleep eight hours or more at night, but as they age, they begin to sleep closer and longer throughout the day. This pattern will continue into adulthood. So, for most preschoolers, a very early start in getting familiar with sleeping in their pajamas is required.
Another reason that some toddlers will start to fall asleep faster than other kids might be that they have experienced some traumatic events in their childhood, such as being put in a bed during the middle of a violent sleep attack. If a toddler has suffered through this, he is more likely to relate bedtime with a feeling of fear and anxiety. He is more likely to fall asleep quicker. It is not uncommon for preschoolers to spend a large portion of the night crying because they are so fearful. But, by putting these fears to rest, and removing any associated fear when the child falls asleep, preschoolers can often fall asleep faster.
If your child’s bedtime becomes a battle between him trying to stay awake so he can see you or fight with you for his attention, then it might be time to take a step back and evaluate your relationship. Are you giving him the same attention that you would when he is tired and having a nap time? If so, then don’t give him the same treatment when he needs it. When do toddlers stop napping?
There are times when napping will occur out of necessity – when the child is simply tired and needs a few minutes of sleep. Also, the child may be a bit too young to fall asleep sitting up, so he needs to find his own place to rest. However, if you punish your child for “not getting enough sleep” then you are sending the wrong message – that sleeping should always be done when tired. Toddlers don’t start teaching sign language or reading before the age of two, so napping isn’t a part of their quite time routine. It is important to make sure that your toddler feels relaxed and comfortable while sleeping, without the need to make it a battle between you to get him to go to sleep.
Your job as a parent is to set the example for your toddler. If you are a very active person yourself, then maybe you should limit yourself to a few hours of exercise during the day or perhaps take a nap after dinner or before going to bed at night. You need to set a good example for your toddler, and you also need to set a bad example if your toddler is not very active or doesn’t like to be put in any type of situation where he may need to learn how to relax or fall asleep. Toddlers usually don’t read much until they are older, but if you want to get your child interested in reading, then it is a great idea to start reading to them when they are a toddler. The more you invest into your toddler’s development through reading, the less likely he is to develop sleep apnea, which can cause some serious health complications, including drownings.
