Dropping nap at 3.75yo?

[lilamom2]

Well, she handled the morning remarkably well and then napped 3-5pm and I had to wake her. Sleepy baby!

[lilamom2]

UPDATE: Well, for the last four days we have alternated nap/no nap days (I put her down at 2:30pm each day).

I want to keep offering it if she needs it, but I'd prefer to just cut it out completely and do an earlier bedtime! I'm guessing that would be a terrible idea?

[Lindsay27]

It really depends on your LO I think. Some drop cold-turkey no issues.  With my DS we pretty well alternate.  He has 'rest' time at preschool Mon-Fri and naps on the weekend are usually 1 nap day and 1 no nap day.

[michaeljacknnugg]

I would drop it, personally. At some point all the changing between routines messes with the body clock and makes it hard to get into a routine.

My DS was done with all naps by age 2.5 and needed about 11hrs in total at that point (I ended up working it out on a graph!). If you can set a bedtime and let her self-regulate from there, her body will be more consistent. She certainly sounds old enough to be able to drop a nap.

[creations]

I would drop it, personally. At some point all the changing between routines messes with the body clock and makes it hard to get into a routine.

My DS was done with all naps by age 2.5

Same here.

My instinct is that your LO can handle it because she copes with a NND.  I agree that a consistent routine enables the body to sort out a slightly longer night and regulate well.  Mine did about 11hr nights after dropping the nap but then extended to 12hr nights.  I just added night plus nap length to work out roughly what to expect...and expect a bit more or a bit less whilst the new routine settles in.

[lilamom2]

Thanks so much!

I really WANT to switch to a 8:30pm-8:30am schedule.

I'm just nervous about not at least "offering" a nap, since she has only very recently started skipping the nap.  Is there any way I could offer a nap/rest time and still try to keep bed and morning wake time consistent??  Switching back and forth between bedtimes and waketimes is a little mentally exhausting!

[michaeljacknnugg]

We used to cuddle up and watch a DVD - my spirited one would not entertain going to bed! - and that worked out ok. If he needed to nap he would nod off, and if not then we would both just have a rest. He still loves a good cuddle on the couch