Going from 2 naps to 1

cieslakmi

Looking for some advice on our transition to one nap. DS has been taking a really long time to go down for his naps lately. He'll roll and crawl around the crib for up to an hour. I finally stopped putting him down for his nap at 8am like usual, and decided to just see when he truly looked tired. 11am has seemed to work for us the last couple of days, but he's only sleeping an hour, which is not much for the only nap of the day. When you all transitioned to one nap did it take a while to get into the routine? Did they gradually take longer naps as you settled into this new routine? I am pooped from entertaining him all day, especially with the cold winter keeping us indoors!

dufferoo

It took us almost the whole year from 1-2 to transition to 1 nap, although we did have some various good phases in there. Bad news, I know, but I think you just have to be patient. Now that we are solidly down to 1 nap, I find it helps to get out of the house early in the day every day and keep him busy until naptime does roll around, so we aren't bored and restless by the time nap rolls around. Days we slump around the house, nap never seems to go well.

SharonB222

DD transitioned at 17-some months; I don't recall how long it took but it was whack for a couple weeks I am sure.  DS is transitioning right now at 14-some months.  Our schedule is completely bonkers this past week!  As of yesterday he doesn't nap in the morning, but the afternoon nap is up in the air also.  Today we must have missed the "window" for the afternoon nap because he stayed up all day, so he went to bed early - that's happened a couple times where the new 1 nap is short (or missed).  View of the future:  At 3.5 yrs, my DD is transitioning from 1 nap to No naps - it's been 6 months so far -- at this age the "Tot Clock" helps her nap, but again, we've settled into early bedtime if nap is short or missed.  Good luck!

keyshahart

Are you doing lunch before nap time? I found this really helped our LO sleep longer. When we transitioned she would have lunch around 1115 then nap afterwards. She takes a sippy of milk before naps too to top her up. She initially would sleep for just and hour but this only lasted a week at most and now she naps 2-2.5 hrs.

cieslakmi

Thanks ladies! I am just so unsure of how to adjust our schedule! He only took one nap each day this past week, but only lasted an hour each day. I think it may just take a little time to settle into a routine. Dufferoo- I think you're right, I need to be patient! Getting out of the house before his nap has definitely helped. Sharon- thanks for letting me know how your kids have done! Keyshahart- I will have to try adjusting our eating schedule to get his tummy full before putting him done. That may really help!

MelanieRowan

DS transitioned completely at 12 months and at daycare at 11 months. He naps after lunch. If I feed him before he goes down he will nap 2-2.5 hours. If he does not eat before his nap it is usually only 1-1.5 hours, so definitely try to time it after a meal.

smiller5308

My son transitioned to 1 nap around 12 months. He is almost 13 months and sometimes still needs a quick morning nap if he wakes up earlier than normal in the morning. His afternoon nap is usually right after lunch and lasts for about 3 hours.