Is Your Toddler Ready to Drop a Nap? Signs It’s Time to Transition from 2 to 1 Naps
☁️ Is It Time to Skip That Afternoon Nap? 6 Subtle Signs Your Baby Might Be Ready…
Naps are essential—but they don’t last forever. As babies grow, their sleep needs evolve. Many parents find themselves navigating the awkward stretch between a full nap routine and dropping it entirely. If you’re wondering whether your baby is ready to say goodbye to that afternoon nap, here are six surprisingly clear indicators:
1. Nap Resistance Becomes the New Normal
Your little one may quietly protest the nap routine—perhaps sitting up in the crib, refusing to settle, or even needing an hour to doze off. It doesn’t have to be dramatic—just consistent refusal, even when they once slept well, suggests they may no longer need it. This switch can happen overnight and while it may be quiet protest in their crib, it can also be quite the opposite. My daughter recently transitioned from 2 naps to 1 — it took me about 2-3 days to realize it. Normally she would go to sleep no problem for both naps and then all of the sudden around 15 months, she would scream and cry when I would try and put her down for the 2nd nap. I thought it was separation anxiety peaking, so I would bring her into my bed to see if my comfort would help her fall asleep. Eventually she would fall asleep after trying to play for 30 minutes or so. She would sleep for 45 minutes to an hour — but then she would fight bedtime (when normally she would say she was tired and go to sleep within a minute or two). She started to struggle so much to fall asleep at her usual 7:30-8:00PM bedtime and would cry and cry wanting to get out of her crib until 9 or 9:30PM. She simply was not tired enough to fall asleep at night because she was getting too much daytime sleep. So we went cold turkey on the 2nd nap. When I decided to do that, I was NERVOUS to say the least. I don’t know about your toddler, but my toddler can become a whole different person when she’s tired — especially if she is overtired. I knew she was going to have to go at least 5 hours being awake or close to it for this 1 nap thing to work. I genuinely did not think she would be able to stay awake for that long, but she surprised me. She was more than capable of staying awake for 5 hours. Since the switch, she goes down for a nap at 12:30PM just about every day — naps for 1.75-2 hours and is up the remainder of the day until her 7:30-8:00PM bedtime. If this sounds similar to your situation, it may be ready to make the switch cold turkey.
2. Early Birds No More (…or Worse, Too Early)
Waking around 4–5 am several days in a row? That’s often a sign of excessive daytime sleep or separation from their sleep drive. Morning wake-ups creeping earlier than usual suggest the daily nap might be interfering with their night rest. My daughter
3. Nap Time Turns Into Bedtime Cat-Naps
Is the last nap of the day just 20-45 minutes long? Are you stressed trying to figure out why they’re not taking their normal 1.5 hour nap? Those quick snoozes often signal it’s time to rethink the routine and start the transition to 1 nap.
4. Bedtime Gets Messy
If your baby is now dragging bedtime by 30–60 minutes due to the afternoon nap, or taking a while to fall asleep at night, it might be time to say goodbye to that extra rest.
5. Night Wakings Become Common Again
Clustered night wake-ups, restlessness, or split nights can be more than a growth spurt—they may be because daytime rest is replacing their natural sleep pressure at night.
6. Age & Awake-Window Mismatch
Every age has its sleep sweet spot. Babies around 12–18 months often begin the transition from two naps to one — with the most common timeframe being between 14-18 months. Toddlers between 2.5–3.5 years often drop their last nap. If your child’s awake periods are too long, yet naps diminish or disappear, that transition is due. Navigating wake windows and knowing what’s appropriate for your toddler’s age can feel overwhelming—especially during a nap transition. That’s why I created The Better Sleep Blueprint, a free guide packed with sleep needs by age, ideal wake windows, and tips to support better naps and night sleep.
📥 Grab your free copy below and feel more confident in your child’s sleep schedule!
✔️ Tested Four or More of These? Time to Try Ditching the Nap
It's not a one-size-fits-all moment—but if you notice at least four of the above signs together, your baby could be ready for the next stage in their sleep evolution.
🚫 Five Tips for Making the Shift Smoother
Ease Into It
Extend awake periods by just 15 minutes every few days. Avoid an overnight overhaul.Try a Catnap Instead
On rough days, let them have a 20–30 minute stroller or car nap—not a full crib nap—to avoid meltdowns.Quiet Time Landing Pad
Swap naps with calm time: books, soft play, or cuddling in a dim room—not necessarily lights-out sleepReset Bedtime if Needed
Without the nap, they may get overtired later in the day. Aim for an earlier bedtime—6–6:30 pm is often ideal.Take the Long View
Give each adjustment at least a week. Your baby’s clock will recalibrate on its own if you provide consistent routines.
🚼 Why This Matters
Transitions in sleep help babies learn self-regulation and adapt to their growing needs. Skipping naps too early can lead to emotional dysregulation, while staying rigid too long can throw nighttime sleep off. That’s why tuning in to your child’s cues—and adapting gently—is the key to maintaining healthy sleep habits
📝 Final Checklist: Are They Done Napping?
☐ Resistant to nap time
☐ Waking too early
☐ Only short naps now
☐ Bedtime delays or fights
☐ Nighttime wake-ups increase
☐ Visible age-appropriate transition
If you’ve checked four or more: it’s likely time to drop their nap. You can drop it cold turkey or do more of a gradual approach.
💬 Final Thought
Watching your baby outgrow naps is a bittersweet milestone—and absolutely normal. You’re doing a fantastic job responding to their evolving rhythm. With gentle adjustments—quiet time, earlier bedtimes, and consistent cues—you’ll help them move smoothly into their next phase of sleep success.
Every toddler is different—and navigating nap transitions can be tough. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just ready for more restful days (and nights!), I’m here to help.
💬 Let’s work together to create a personalized sleep plan that fits your family’s needs.
➡️ Book your free consultation here to get started—we’ll talk through your goals and how I can support your toddler’s sleep journey.
❓Need quick, expert guidance on your child’s sleep? Check out our Ask Me Anything - Sleep Q&A to get the answers you need.