At what age do children normally stop taking naps??

Bernice - posted on 05/30/2009

I have a 2 1/2 yo who doesn't nap the only time she sleeps during the day is if we are in the car. She hasn't had a nap in a little over 7 months. She goes to sleep at 9:30 pm and she wakes up at 9:30 am. I guess it depends on how long they sleep at night. My oldest son now 18 when he was little he had to nap everyday right after lunch from 1:30 - 3:00. So I guess it also depends on the child.

Bernice - posted on 05/30/2009

I have a 2 1/2 yo who doesn't nap the only time she sleeps during the day is if we are in the car. She hasn't had a nap in a little over 7 months. She goes to sleep at 9:30 pm and she wakes up at 9:30 am. I guess it depends on how long they sleep at night. My oldest son now 18 when he was little he had to nap everyday right after lunch from 1:30 - 3:00. So I guess it also depends on the child.

Andrea - posted on 05/30/2009

My daughter just turned 5 and still takes naps on a pretty regular basis.
We've been trying to phase them out in preparation for kindergarten in the fall, because I think that will be a LONG day for her when she's used to a midday nap, but I'm finding that she's a bit of a drama queen at bedtime when we do this. She normally goes to bed at 7:00-7:30 (difficult in the summer because it's still VERY light out in MT at that time), even when she's napping. I've found her in her room asleep on two different occasions when we tried to omit her nap. I say - let them nap as long as they need it! :)

Amanda - posted on 05/30/2009

My son is almost 2 1/2 now and I don't see the end of naps anytime soon. I think even if he gets to a point where he is not falling asleep he will be required to lay down everyday for at least an hour and read or play quietly. But I will for sure be giving naps for the foreseeable future!!! :) Mommy enjoys nap time everyday!! :)

Lateacha - posted on 05/30/2009

I think it greatly depends on the child. My 11yr old daughter will still grab a power nap every now and again with her busy schedule. (so will I -lol-) However my youngest son Aidan stopped naps at 2yrs old. Everyone panicked. I didn't mind and just let him stay up, it worked for him. He hasn't napped since. In school when they napped he'd just have quiet time to himself.

Kelly - posted on 05/30/2009

My niece still naps when she is not at school and she is 6.....and her brothers say that she sleeps on the bus ride home, so i think that it just depends on the child, some just need more sleep than others......and if she doesn't get her nap she is a nightmare to deal with........

Marie - posted on 05/30/2009

I think u can never be "too big" for naps! Mommy still loves her nap time! lol. My 4 yr old still needs his nap time along with my 2 yr old who takes a morning and an afternoon nap. Mommy takes a nap then too!

Amanda - posted on 05/30/2009

My daughter is 3 and she still takes a 3 hour nap everyday. 4 or 5 years sounds about right. Once they start going to school, I think is when it seems to end for the naps. If they will still lay down for one at 5 years old, then they need more rest, so they should still nap

Lindsay - posted on 05/30/2009

My 4 yr old thinks she's too big for a nap and won't take one most days.(although she really does need them) After lunch, when her brother takes his nap, she has to go to her room for quiet time. She can play quietly, nap, or just watch tv. That way even if she doesn't sleep, she gets a little rest, and I get my usual stuff done around the house that I've always saved for nap time!

Wendy - posted on 05/30/2009

It depends on your child. Some children need more sleep than others. Most of my children stopped taking naps in the first grade. I had one child that would come home and take a short nap after school because he needed that extra zzzz's. So don't worry. You will know when it is time for your child to stop taking naps.

Melissa - posted on 05/30/2009

My 4 year old will only pass out in the car..so if it's a busy day with errands he will sleep from one place to the other once or twice but thats it..I can't get him to do it when we are just home playing or even after coming home from a busy day..

Carly - posted on 05/30/2009

I've got a 2 yr old and she sleeps 10 hours of a nite and has a 1 and a half to 2 hour nap during the day, If their tired let them nap, my little girl is a nightmare if she is tired and actually sleeps better of a nite if she has had a nap during the day, i read once that you shouldn't let a nap exceed longer than 2 hours though.

Melissa - posted on 05/30/2009

My daughter was in a early learning program at a year old...she is now almost 7...they stopped her naps at 3-31/2...once your child is in preshcool there should be no need for a nap...Just put him to bed a little earlier at night.My kids are on a very good sleep schedule their both in bed by 7:30pm.My son is 2 1/2 and he'll sleep from 12:30 till about1:30-2 if I'm lucky.I can tell he's almost done with them..which stinks cause I'm gonna miss the quiet hour of the day...lol

Michelle - posted on 05/30/2009

both of my girls, 12 & 8 STILL take naps during the day in the summer if they get tired. The 8 yr old especially, she will take herself to bed when she gets tired at night too.

Shawna - posted on 05/30/2009

My 4 year old THINKS he doesn't need a nap anymore because as he puts it "I'm way to big for naps" but if he doesn't take at least a short one, he's a holy terror by bed time and it's harder to get him to bed. When he starts kindergarten in the fall, they'll take naps for the first part of the year and then phase them out...I think mine's gonna have to be a little bit older before we can do away with the naps totally!

Jenell - posted on 05/30/2009

ya know, my four year old needs a nap on occasion still. I know in kindergarten they also have them lay down for a nap too (or quiet time). Maybe not every day is necessary anymore, but when they seem moody they may need to lay down for one. :)