2 to 1 Nap Transition

[Krissy18]

I was reading What does your toddlers day look like and I noticed that most bubs my LO's age are already settled into one nap. I am wondering if he really SHOULD be able to handle the longer A times or maybe is just an exception to the rule. He is almost 17 months. we are working on it now but he seems to revert quickly back to 2 naps.

[becky1969]

Every kid is different!  But sometimes textbook/angels have trouble making it to 1 nap on their own -- they need a little 'shove' because they really like routine and can turn routine into rut.  I should know -- I were one of those. 

If you want to talk routine, I'll talk back! 

Oh and your poll -- my guy was 16 months when we finally got solidly on 1 nap.  We started the transition at 12 months, so it took 3 months of reducing AM nap, and then 1 month of alternating between 1 and 2 naps.

But final note? If child is STTN and is resting enough during the day, no sweat! It probably means you ahve a sleepier bub than normal and will enjoy (like I do!) 2.5-3 hour naps at age 3.  Can't be sad about that, eh? 

[deckchariot]

It took Abby 4 mos to make the change - she started at 10 mos, finished by 14.  We went the opposite way of Becky - did a long am nap and a pm catnap.  We had probably 4-6 weeks of going back and forth between 1 and 2 nap days.  She's a textbook, and yes, she ADORES her routine, she was on the same routine from 14 mos til almost 2 when I finally had to start limiting her nap so she wouldn't have EWs.

[Krissy18]

Thanks ladies!
DS is spirited touchy so very sensitive to any changes we make. Its been going ok so far though. On one nap days where we have stretched him a little much , we sometimes get some short NW's or an EW to chat before he goes back to sleep till waking up for the way. Other than that he seems ok. We are throwing in 2 day naps about 3 days a week to help him out. I just dont know when to eliminate these..?

[lilac83]

Krissy -

My DD is textbook and has always been able to handle longer A times. I switched her over just this week, today is her 5th day of just 1 nap. For about the last month she was alternating between 2 nap days and 1 nap days. I knew it was time to change her to 1 nap every day because on 2 nap days she was only sleeping 10.5 hours at night but on 1 nap days she would sleep her normal 11/11.5 hours.

HTH!

[becky1969]

He'll let you know when you can eliminate the 2 naps because on a 2 nap day suddenly he just won't take a 2nd nap no matter what you do! Then you'll notice that he's making it better on 1 nap days and doesn't need the 2 nap break.  Baby steps, baby steps...

[anna*]

I tried to transition Stan too early, at 12 months, and the OT was a bear. Then stuck with 2 naps (30-45 mins am, long pm) until 15 months at which point we made the jump cold turkey.

[speechie]

19 mos or so here- My LO is sooo active/spirited he needed the extra snooze to keep him happy!