How old were your kids when they stopped taking naps?

Renee - posted on 04/20/2010

my older son never took naps....EVER! my 23 month old takes such short naps, I hardly notice. one good thing is he goes to bed every night at 7. you have to get into a solid night time routine with kids when they are very young and stick with it. i know its hard, but don't give into them. set a time and stick to it, be harsh if you have to. it's good for both of you!!

Tonia - posted on 04/20/2010

My 2yr old son is still taking naps. If he doesn't he is cranky until he gets one. He sleeps for 3-4 hours sometimes and still goes to bed with no problems at night.

Monica Shirley - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids are 5.5 and 3.5. The only one took naps until 4.5 and even then had a quiet time. The 3.5 is still taking an afternoon nap, usually 1-2 hours. They are in bed at 7:30 every night and get up at 6 during the week and usually around 7 on the weekend. My older child always slept better at night if she had plenty of sleep during the day. She is very much a child of routine. My son on the other hand, if he gets down for his nap a little late or sleeps a little too long he will not sleep that night. You just have to figure out what your child needs. I would highly suggest that you at least have a mandatory quiet time. If she need a nap that day she will take one during this time.

Benita - posted on 04/20/2010

Every child's routine has to be defined by the parents.For me it is important that the child has routine and structure.It gives the child a form of security and creates a feeling of safety.

Bobby - posted on 04/20/2010

My frist 5 kids were between 18 and 24 months my 6th was about a year old.

Claire - posted on 04/20/2010

my daughters 15 months and she rarely has a nap in the day any more.

Christine - posted on 04/20/2010

Get them to have quiet time whether they like it or not. After all YOU need a break during the day too. Even if they just play quietly in their room at least they're getting a stimulation break. My oldest is 5 now and I still make her have quiet time. She doesn't sleep but the break really helps.

Fran - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids stopped taking naps at 3 1/2 years old. They stopped only because they started pre-school and it cut into their naptime. I am sure that they would have gone on longer!

Jenny - posted on 04/20/2010

My girls are 3 1/2 & 5. they both have nap time at school every day but dont always sleep. sometimes they just rest or read a book or draw on their mats. on the weekends we usually give them some downtime after lunch but usually no nap. i think resting works just as well as sleeping but doesn't negatively effect bed time. try just being mellow after lunch, reading, lying on a floor or couch or grass and talking or telling stories. we dont let them watch tv but they can watch a movie on a weekend and if all else fails that will usually give them a chance to recharge.

GESICA - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids stopped taking naps at 5yrs. old when they went to kindergarten. But if I need "Me" time, they still have to take a nap or lay down and watch a movie for "quiet time"!

Sandy - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids (who are all adults now) stopped taking naps when they were about 4 or 5, right around the time they started going to kindergarten. I have heard of adults who can get by on only 4 hours of sleep (maybe even less) a night, and they seem to still be productive and healthy. So, if not all adults need 8 hours of sleep to be healthy and happy, I would imagine that not all babies your daughter's age would absolutely have to have naps during the day. Makes sense to me. I wouldn't worry about it if she still seems to be doing fine.

Colleen - posted on 04/20/2010

Each child is different when it comes to naps, but my daughter is going to be 3 in June, and we no longer enforce them, and she usually takes a 2 hr nap anyway, They know when they have had enough, we just make sure if she doesn't take a nap until 3 in the afternoon, we only let her sleep an hour or she will not sleep at night either.

My son is 10 months old, and since birth it is very rare that he sleeps more than 1 1/2 hrs a day total. He sleeps for an hour in the late morning, and antoher 1/2 hour on the way home from the sitters. You would think he would sleep through at night, Not the case.

Charalotte - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter is 3 years old and still takes a nap. It is a must. Otherwise my day and hers is ruined, because she is cranky!! Every now and then, we can skip it, but mostly she naps. My baby is 1, and she may take a quick 30 minute nap and stay up for the rest of the day. Still cranky, but afraid to miss ANYTHING, and so she stays up. Some kids don't need naps. The important thing is that she gets 11-12 hours of sleep within 24 hours. So if she sleeps well at night, skip the nap. And sometimes, you have to adjust naptime to spread the hours between nap and bedtime. If she is over tired she won't sleep also.

Cathy - posted on 04/20/2010

hi my son liked naps and was still ok going to bed up till about two. But my daughter was about eighteen months old when i had to stop her naps because she wouldn't go to bed if she'd slept in the day. She is now 25 months old and sometimes she will drop of but i only let her have 30 minutes if she does and she will go to bed ok at bed time. Hope this helps

Ginger - posted on 04/20/2010

Out of nine children every one was different. I do not believe that one size fits all. each person is a unique individual (that is why institutions don't work well).

One of the most wonderful aspects of being a mother is that you get to see your child unfold before your eyes and you get to facilitate who they are.

you can observe them and you will see when they get tired and so on.

some children need more sleep than others. and you will be able to tell for example some get irritated around a certain time each day that might mean they are tired. Some get irritated when you put them down for a nap because they are not tired. So watch and see over time you will see their rhythm.

and you will be glad you took the time to find out what their like.

Bonnie - posted on 04/20/2010

All 3 of my kids took naps until the started school. Having a mother that ran a daycare for 50 yrs i was brought up to keep my kids on a schedule that fit us all. But that didn't always work. My kids did the same thing at about the same age,even my grandkids did.We started doing a rest time where would read or watch a movie at the same time they should be napping. This would get them to relax and eventually take a nap. As the got older we went from a 2hr naptime to 1hr naptime and they still went to bed at their regular hour. Fresh air and physical activity always helped too! remember though each child is different so don't be afraid to try new things. good Luck

Narmin - posted on 04/20/2010

my daughter is now 34 months and she still taking one nap @ 11:00 am

Elizabeth - posted on 04/20/2010

Two of my four children stopped taking naps around that same age (I was remembering "about two years old"). I just stopped forcing them. They both slept through the night when they didn't take naps so it was beneficial that way. Sometimes they would voluntarily fall asleep during the day, but I didn't force "nap time" They are now 15 and 20 years old and both are my first ones up every day. I think some children just don't need as much sleep. If your child is not getting exceptionally cranky or unmanageable without a nap-- don't force it!

Marci - posted on 04/20/2010

i have had several children and they were all different , some of them would take a nap until they were 5 or 6 and others stopped taking naps at around 2, but one thing i did do for those that quit the nap time early , we switched it to quiet time, they would be playing quietly in their room , or close by , which gave us all some down time and feeling quite refreshed for the rest of the day. if they normally took an hour nap then we took an hour quiet time.It worked quite well for all of us.Yes we did have a scheduled nap time and that's when we switched to quiet time.for us it was right after lunch.

Irene - posted on 04/20/2010

Motherhood is a learning stage!! I insisted on a Quiet Time for all of the children. The 3rd child, seldom slept from the time she came home, however she would play quietly in her crib, with the door cracked open, and she was happy as a lark. Others NEEDED their naps. Sometimes Mom needs that time of quiet for herself. Each child is different, and no matter how many times you hear that, it is a surprise in how many different ways this manifests itself. Go with the flow. Take a rest yourself at a time U need it, and have your sweetie be a big girl and "rest" also.

Maria - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids had a rest time, we would all get a book and read. Sometimes they would nod off and sometimes they wouldn't it didn't matter as long as they took a break. I have 4 children the youngest of which is now 16. Even in the summer when they got older and were out of school, we would take our books and read for a time. My nephews and nieces even got into this habit when they were at my house. I sometimes had up to 8 kids at a time. After we played in the water or did something fun and active so they would be ready for bed at least by 9.

Marcy - posted on 04/20/2010

Not usually, but every kid is different. My 3-1/2 year old twin boys are napping now...I let them go for up to 2 hours only...and they go to bed between 8-9, but wake up between 6:30-7:30. I try to instill the love of sleeping in my kids ;o) My girlfriend has twin girls who stopped napping at 2 - so it does happen!!

Linda - posted on 04/20/2010

Most little people younger than 2 NEED naps. And their Mommies or Daddies NEED that time for themselves. My kids took naps until they started attending pre-school, around 3 years old. Even if they didn't actually fall asleep, they understood that this was quite time that they would spend alone in their beds. Sometimes they looked at books or played quietly with a few toys. And some of those times, they ended up falling asleep.

For toddlers who don't want to go to bed in the evening, afternoon naps should probably follow lunch, as much as possible. Think Mexican siesta! Just don't let her sleep all afternoon. Try to wake her gently if she's still asleep after about an hour.

Any parent who's had a 2-year-old knows just how cranky they can get when they're tired. Naps are the salvation for everyone.

Emily - posted on 04/20/2010

my 5 yr old stopped at 1.5 yrs. my baby (8 mos) has never taken good naps, today he has taken 3-30 min naps from 6am-8pm, he may take 1 more 30 min around 5...thats all the break i get..plus he is getting up at night between 330-4am

Sharon - posted on 04/20/2010

no. My twins stopped taking naps about that time. I got sick and tired of fighting them to take a nap and like you said...then they wouldn't go to sleep at night. They were very tired in the afternoon for the first while but it didn't take long until they were used to it. It sure made bedtime easy..they were definitely tired and no fighting.

Debra - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter was never a sleeper, she stopped napping around 2 years old. I'd try to put her down, and she would lay there - but not sleep. All kids have their own clocks. My son

napped till he was almost 5.

Cortney - posted on 04/20/2010

Every Child is different. I think I stopped forcing the naps when he was 3 and he would always fall asleep in the car on the way home from day care. 20-30 min and he was good to go and still slept for me at night! My son will still nap in the car at 10 LOL... My brother is just getting my niece who is 18 months down to one nap a day because of the not sleeping at night thing. You just need to gauge HER need, and remember to pick your battles...if Nap time is a fight try not doing it to see what happens :)

Lisa - posted on 04/20/2010

Each child is different, my three one stopped between 18 and 24 mos., my middle one was about 3 yrs. old, and my youngest is 5 and he still takes naps on occasion. Something to try is putting her down earlier in the day or not let her nap for so long.

Chelsea - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter stopped napping at about that age too, same situation, that if she did she wouldnt sleep at night. So I stopped putting her down for a sleep in the afternoon but put her to bed at about 7. That was when she started sleeping 12 hours a night, and she is still sleeping 12 hours a night, sometimes more at almost 4 years old. It all depends, She didnt need naps anymore, every kid is different!

Tishanna - posted on 04/20/2010

My son needs a nap some days and other days he doesn't but I need him to take a nap EVERY day! So, I always tell him he doesn't have to sleep but he does have to rest (he's 2 and a 1/2) and stay in his bed for 1 1/2-2 hours. Some days he sleeps other he quietly plays in his bed with his Pooh Bear.

Chrystal - posted on 04/20/2010

My son is 2 and some change and he talkes naps daily!!! and no matter what time he takes a nap he is alwasy sleep by bedtime hich is 9pm...

Lori - posted on 04/20/2010

My son was about 2 or 3 years old. Once he was up, he was good to go all day until about 7 or 8 p.m. Then he was down for the night.

LaKiia - posted on 04/20/2010

Generally a 21 month old should be able to take a nap without any problems. However, it all depends on several different factors. How early does she get up in the morning? How much activity is she involved in the morning? How early/late in the afternoon are you trying to put her down for a nap? If she falls asleep too late in the afternoon, then no, she is not going to want to go to sleep at bedtime. Generally, if the child is kept active between breakfast and lunch, usually children are going to be sleepy by early afternoon - and still go to sleep at night. But each child "is" different. So as a mom, you have to also use your better judgement and know your kid.

Lori - posted on 04/20/2010

It really depends on the child. Some kids don't need as much sleep as others. However, I think it is important for her to have rest time during the afternoon. She doesn't necessarily have to sleep, just have a quiet time. And when it's bedtime at night, make sure you are consistant with it. Young parents do more harm by running into the room when it's not required. Good luck.

Kimberly - posted on 04/20/2010

I think the need for naps come and go just like growth spurts. A child knows what they need and when they need it. I found with my kids, they are 19, 15 and 9, napped a lot when they were on the growth spurt of gaining height. When they were on the phase of gaining weight, they tended to be more active.

On the other hand...my 15 yr old is an absolute crab if she doesn't get a small afternoon nap after school.

Within reason, just follow thier lead.

Susi - posted on 04/20/2010

My kids are grown but when they got to that point I would still have them lay down for an hour with a book. I made it "quiet time" for them. Plus, I look at it this way, toddlers are just "little people". Are bodies know when we need rest. I would try to lay her down with a book and tell it's quiet time. It worked for mine but all kids are different.

Jessica - posted on 04/20/2010

Here maybe some advice. For me it depended on what time she got up and what type of activities she was doing. If she or he doesn't get up by a until later try waking her/him up and hour earlier. Also try a more active activity like going for a walk.

Katie - posted on 04/20/2010

Same things as others are saying
All kids are different
Try quiet time, books, foot rub if your LO is tired she'll nod off if not it's amazing what just a little down time will do even if an actual nap doesn't occur
Don't make a big deal out of it - make sure the down time/nap time is a pleasant thing not a struggle

Ashley - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter is almost 9 months and she wont take a nap unless she wants to so I think as long as your daughter sleeps a decent amount of time without taking a nap its fine!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/20/2010

I raised two girls, who are now 23 and 21. Each one of them had completely different nap patterns. I don't think there is an "age" at which a parent can decide when a child should stop napping. It depends on their particular nervous system and temperament. They are individuals, just like adults are. My older daughter napped a lot and easily until about 21 months. She also never slept that well at night. My younger one, who could (and still can) fall asleep in the middle of an airport floor, stopped napping regularly before she was 18 months! Also, the child who napped less, slept through the night by 7 months. Hope this helps. :)

Karencita De Baires - posted on 04/20/2010

my son stopped taking naps at the age of 3... now hes 5 years old and 4 month and he started to take naps again every afternoon...thank God that doesnt interfere with his sleeping at night!

Mistie - posted on 04/20/2010

That's what I did also. Quiet time, and my son has a much better attitude after just a little rest, even though he didn't sleep.

Jerri - posted on 04/20/2010

Yes she still needs to take a nap, my kids were around 4 years old before they quite taking naps.

Jerri

Nathalie - posted on 04/20/2010

Yeah really depends on the child, my first born was 3 when I made him stop as I was having to put him to bed too late at night (which when the kids are in bed at night is when I do my housework and time for me) so I chose to stop his daytime naps.

Triny - posted on 04/20/2010

Gosh, I remember my kids taking naps up until they were about 4 yrs. She should be taking naps and still go to bed without a problem. Perhaps it could be her diet. Keep away food that has sugar that is close to bedtime. This might be making her hyper. Is she active enough during the day? Perhaps she not getting enough physical actitivity during the day. Check with your doctor - he could have recommendations. She is still young enough to take naps.

Melanie - posted on 04/20/2010

Each kids is deifferent. My daughter stopped taking one on a regular basis about 2 and my son stopped around 1. We woudl do nappy by quiet time. They didn't have to sleep but they did need to rest and be quiet. They could read books, play with puzzles or something as long as they were quiet. That way I had a little peace, for about an hour, so I could do dishes, laundry and a quick pick up of the place while they were resting.

Mistie - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter (who is now 13) took naps until she was 5. My son (who is 4) stopped taking naps when he was about 2 1/2. I also discovered that if I did get him to nap, he wouldn't sleep at night, he'd stay awake until really late. I think it depends on the child.

Angela - posted on 04/20/2010

Hi Alexandria, I think that 21 months old is still a time for naps but don't despair! As you have already read, every child is unique in when they get out of the nap routine. I have 9 year old twins and they napped until they were 5. However, for your little one, maybe changing the expectation from "nap time" to "quiet time" would help. Maybe she isn't tired enough to fall asleep but sitting on her bed with quiet activities-puzzles, books, stuffed animals would allow her to get some form of rest and hopefully you would get some form of a break :) I would even encourage you to let her know- "If you don't go to sleep, that's okay, but it is time for your voice to be quiet and your body to be still" or something like that. Kids tend to get resistant just hearing the word "nap" so maybe if you changed your wording, it would help this whole process. Hope this helps!

Tracy - posted on 04/20/2010

Two that are still taking naps are 3 (just turned 3 this month) and 4 (will be 4.5 next month). My oldest is now 9, but she took naps until she started Kindegarten! The only reason she wasn't napping then is it wasn' tpart of her day. It was full-day Kindegarten. There were MANY days durin gthe week she would crash after school. She then napped on the weekends. By the time she started 1st grade (almost 7 - she has a November birthday) she as not napping anymore -- at least not on a regular basis. If she needed an attitude adjustment, she would be put down to nap.

Linda - posted on 04/20/2010

Children develop at different rates. Some walk early, others late, etc. Your little one obviously is needing less sleep. It wouldn't be my choice to forfeit and good night's sleep to get her to take a nap.