- Home
- Advice Hub
- Toddler
- Toddler Milestones
- When Do Toddlers Stop Napping?
When do toddlers stop napping?
Wondering when do toddlers stop napping? Learn common signs, age ranges, and gentle tips to support your child's changing sleep needs.
Why Toddlers Need Naps
Typical Nap Timeline by Age
True Signs Your Toddler May Be Ready to Stop Napping
When Do Most Toddlers Drop Naps?
How to Gradually Drop the Nap (Not Overnight!)
When the Nap Is Fully Gone: Enter Quiet Time
Supporting Healthy Sleep Without Naps
FAQs Around Toddler Napping
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether it’s time for your toddler to stop napping, you’re definitely not alone. Some children sail through nap transitions without a hitch, while others hold on to that midday nap for years.
Stopping naps is a completely normal developmental milestone, just like crawling, walking, or potty training. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it looks different for every child. For some toddlers, naps naturally fade on their own. For others, there’s a longer adjustment period with a mix of nap days and non-nap days.
Why Toddlers Need Naps
In the early years, naps play a big role in your child’s growth and wellbeing. Daytime rest helps toddlers:
- Process all the new things they’re learning
- Recharge their little bodies for afternoon play
- Stay emotionally balanced (AKA, fewer meltdowns!)
But as children grow, their sleep needs change. They can gradually handle longer stretches of awake time, which is when naps begin to fade.
Typical Nap Timeline by Age
Here’s a general guide - though remember, there’s a huge range of “normal.”
- 0–12 months: Most babies take multiple naps a day
- 12–18 months: Many move to one longer midday nap
- 2–3 years: Most toddlers still need a daily nap, but some start showing signs of dropping it
- 3–5 years: The majority drop their final nap sometime during this window
Some children love their naps until school age, while others stop much earlier. It’s all about your child’s individual rhythm.
True Signs Your Toddler May Be Ready to Stop Napping
1. Your toddler resists nap time
If your child suddenly takes forever to fall asleep at nap time, or fights it altogether, it could be a sign their body needs less daytime sleep.
Nap refusal and nap readiness are not the same thing.
What nap refusal looks like:
- Your toddler resists the nap routine for a few days or weeks
- They go into the cot happily but lie awake playing, singing or chatting
- They may still need the nap because on days they skip it, they’re irritable, emotional, or really struggling by 4 p.m.
Don’t rush to drop the nap at the first sign of resistance, this could be a phase linked to development, curiosity, or needing a tweak to your routine.
2. Bedtime isn’t as smooth as usual
When naps stretch too late, or your toddler doesn’t seem sleepy at their usual bedtime it may mean they’re ready to shorten or drop naps to protect their nighttime sleep.
3. They’re active and content all day
If your toddler skips a nap but still stays happy, playful, and emotionally balanced, it’s a strong sign they can handle being awake longer.
4. They regularly skip naps without issue
Occasional skipped naps are normal, but if your toddler consistently stays fine without one, they might be naturally transitioning away from daily naps.
5. Nap time becomes stressful
If naps are turning into a daily struggle, full of tears, stalling, and frustration it might be time to shift from naps to quiet time instead.
When Do Most Toddlers Drop Naps?
Most children drop their final nap between ages 3 and 5, but there are plenty of exceptions. A 2-year-old dropping naps isn’t unheard of, and some 4-year-olds still love a good midday snooze. The key is to follow your child’s lead.
The Emotional Side of Losing the Nap
Let’s name it - dropping the nap can feel like a loss for you, too.
If nap time has been your only window for a hot drink, a scroll, or a bit of quiet, the thought of entertaining your toddler all day long can feel overwhelming.
That’s where Quiet Time comes in (we’ll get to that shortly). But first, let’s look at how to start the transition gently.
How to Gradually Drop the Nap (Not Overnight!)
Most children benefit from a gradual approach. It’s rarely a clean switch from nap to no-nap in one week. Here’s a parent-tested way to ease into it:
1. Cap the nap
If your toddler is still sleeping for 90+ minutes, this might be too much for their age and sleep needs. Start by:
- Reducing the nap by 15 minutes every 2–3 days
- Watch how it impacts bedtime and night sleep
You may end up with a “power nap” of 30–40 minutes that gives just enough rest without sabotaging bedtime.
2. Move the nap earlier
- Try starting a nap 30–60 minutes earlier so your toddler has a longer wake window before bedtime.
- This builds “sleep pressure” and protects overnight sleep.
3. Introduce nap days and no-nap days
Once the shorter nap is working (or when naps become hit and miss):
- Alternate between nap and no-nap days (e.g., nap Mon/Wed/Fri, rest Tues/Thurs)
- Then shift to 2 nap days per week
- Eventually transition to no nap, but quiet time daily
Avoid long afternoon car rides during this phase. Many toddlers will nod off in the car even if they’ve dropped their nap and this “accidental nap” can throw off bedtime.
When the Nap Is Fully Gone: Enter Quiet Time
Once the nap is truly gone, the day can feel very long - for both of you. This is where Quiet Time saves the day. Quiet Time is a daily rest period where your child plays independently with calm, low-stimulation activities. It gives their body and mind a reset in the middle of the day—and gives you a break, too.
Even if your child already plays independently, Quiet Time is different:
- It’s predictable and consistent
- It happens in a set space with calming play
- It teaches your child to enjoy being in their own company
How to Introduce Quiet Time
You don’t need to wait until naps are gone to start. In fact, it’s often easier if you begin while they’re still napping occasionally.
Start small:
- Begin with just 2–5 minutes, and increase slowly
- Use a timer (great for toddlers who like predictability)
- Let them know: “This is your special quiet playtime while I do [X]. I’ll check on you soon!”
Reconnect after:
Praise them and spend a few minutes engaged with them—this makes Quiet Time something they associate with positive attention and calm.
Stick to low-stimulation, open-ended activities: Soft toys, books (or audiobooks), colouring, stickers, stencils, puzzles or threading ,small-world play (cars, animals, dolls), playdough or kinetic sand (if calming). Offer just a couple of activities at first. You can rotate toys or pull out something “new” from rotation to keep it fresh and exciting.
Supporting Healthy Sleep Without Naps
Once naps are gone, these habits can help your toddler feel well-rested:
Keep a consistent daily rhythm
Predictable meal times, active play, and a calming wind-down help regulate their natural body clock.
Encourage outdoor play
Fresh air and physical movement during the day naturally support deeper, more restful nighttime sleep.
Provide a calm bedtime environment
Dim lights, soothing sounds, or a simple bedtime routine (like bath, story, cuddle) can signal it’s time for sleep.
FAQs Around Toddler Napping
Yes! While many 2-year-olds still nap, some naturally drop naps around this age. If your child stays happy and well-rested without one, it’s likely okay.
Watch for signs like resisting naps, staying energetic throughout the day without getting cranky, or having trouble falling asleep at night after a nap.
For most toddlers, a bedtime between 6:30–8:00 p.m. works well. If they’ve stopped napping, an earlier bedtime is often helpful.
The NHS doesn’t set a fixed age, but most children drop naps between ages 3 and 5. The best approach is to follow your child’s cues.
Final Thoughts
Dropping naps is a natural part of growing up. It’s not a “milestone” you need to rush or worry about just something to navigate gently when your child is ready. Watch their cues, keep their routine flexible, and remember: even if naps disappear, quiet time and early bedtimes can still give everyone the rest they need.
