Many parents worry because they do not know until how old their children should nap, they think they are still too old to do it, or they think they should do it whenever the children feel like napping. We parents like children's naps because it helps us to have extra time to be able to finish the tasks that we have not been able to do during the morning.
But unfortunately naps are a good thing that always comes to an end. Although every child is different, most children decide they don't want to nap anymore between the ages of 2 and 5. But regardless of when this happens, giving up a nap during the day can be a time for both you and your child. You need to know a few tips in order to make the transition to stop napping a little easier for everyone.
Signs your child doesn't want more naps
It is possible that your child begins to send you signals that little by little naps are going to end and that he is ready to stop when between 2 and 5 years old. Do not expect your child to tell you overnight that you no longer want naps because this may tell you one day and want to sleep the next day. You have to look for other types of signs that will let you know that your child will soon leave naps forever.
It will be hard for you to fall asleep
When a child no longer wants to nap in the afternoon, it will be very difficult for him to fall asleep at his usual nap time. Naps are hours of extra sleep that you will begin to not need and that if you do, at night it may take longer to fall asleepYou may want to go to bed later or wake up earlier in the morning.
Resists naps
If your child does not want to take naps anymore, he probably wants to resist going to his room at nap time, he may get out of bed, let him play or that you just don't want to fall asleep and don't.
Good mood
Children who need naps tend to have more problems to have a good mood if they do not nap, they tend to become irritable and very irritable. On the other hand, a boy or girl who no longer needs a nap will not do this, rather you will be able to maintain an overall good mood throughout the day even if I take a nap. As is normal, your child may have normal ups and downs for his age, but generally he will have a good mood and enough energy to maintain a good activity from morning to night.
You will sleep better and wake up well in the morning
Children who don't need a nap will start to sleep better at night and wake up on their own in the morning in a good mood. If this happens, you may gradually decide to put naps aside for good.
Signs that the child is not ready to stop naps
Your child is also likely to make you believe that he wants to give up naps but is actually not quite ready to quit. In this sense you must take into account some aspects so you know your child still needs to nap.
Falls asleep easily
Although you may have a tantrum from not wanting to sleep, the reality is that you respond positively to naps and fall asleep easily. It is also possible that I do not choose to show much resistance and if he does, he sleeps for an hour or more. All this will mean that the child needs to sleep during the day.
Irritable attitude in the afternoon
If your child does not take a nap on a day and in the afternoon he begins to be irritable, restless and is difficult to please, it is possible that he still need your extra rest to be in a good mood and avoid free tantrums.
Falls asleep in the car
Did car rides ever help your child fall asleep as a baby? If your child still falls asleep on a short-distance car tripe you may not be ready to give up naps yet for the moment.
Sleep signs
Even though he doesn't tell you he's sleepy, his body language is clear enough to tell. If you yawnrubs his eyes or you look tired, you may still need to nap.
Is too restless
On many occasions when children are really tired they can behave as if they are very restless, even as if they seem hyperactive. It is a clear sign that you must take a nap and that this time is not over yet.
How do you know if you need naps or not?
If you do not know if your child can continue to want naps or not, you should write it down on a piece of paper so you can know the pattern it has. You will have to write down a log of naps, the time he sleeps, when he wakes up and write a couple of notes about his behavior during the day. After one or two weeks you can check the pattern and you will be able to make the best decision about whether your child should stop naps or if they still need to do them.
How to make a good transition
If after reading this you think that your child is ready to stop naps permanently, then you will have to follow the following steps so that the transition can be easier for everyone.
Don't forbid naps
There will be days when your child will need to nap and this will not be a bad thing. The transitional period can last several months, even the very least of a year. If your child is over six years old and naps every day, he may have a sleep disorder that you should discuss with the pediatrician.
Replace naps with quiet time
Even if they do not take naps, it is necessary for children to take a quiet time break to be able to rest. Aim for 15 to 30 minutes of quiet time, then gradually increase the time to an hour. You can provide books, art supplies, puzzles, or quiet toys.
Be consistent
Just as you were consistent with your child's naps, now you should be consistent with quiet time. You will have to carry out routines to make this happen and assign an area of the house for this time of calm and silence that they will always have to fulfill at the time that before was the siesta.