Dropping Day Sleep: What Age Is Appropriate?

Sleep is critical for a child's healthy development, and their sleep needs change as they grow. While newborns sleep in two- to four-hour intervals, totalling 16 to 17 hours per day, toddlers (aged 12 to 24 months) need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, including naps. By the time children reach preschool age (3 to 5 years), they may start dropping their afternoon naps, and their total sleep duration reduces to 10 to 13 hours. This transition away from napping usually occurs around the age of five, and nearly all children stop napping by the time they turn seven.

Toddlers (12-24 months) need 11-14 hours of sleep, including naps

Toddlers between 12 and 24 months old need 11 to 14 hours of sleep per day, including naps. This can be a mix of nighttime sleep and one or two daytime naps.

At this age, toddlers are developing their gross motor skills and becoming more active, so they may sleep better due to physical tiredness. However, they may also be too excited about their newfound independence to sleep well.

To help your toddler get the sleep they need, stick to healthy sleep habits. Don't let them skip naps or stay up late, and provide plenty of screen-free downtime. Active toddlers might have trouble relaxing in the evenings, so keep things calm with soothing activities like bath time and story time.

If your toddler is climbing out of their crib, it's time to transition them to a big kid bed. With their new freedom, they may get out of bed and try to snuggle with you. This can be a hard habit to break, so if you don't want to start co-sleeping, bring them back to their room.

Most toddlers will stop napping between the ages of three and four. However, if you think your toddler's nap is negatively affecting their nighttime sleep, you can consider dropping it from their schedule. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your toddler take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at bedtime?
• Are they taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep for their nap or refusing to nap?
• Is your toddler waking up early in the morning?
• Is your toddler waking up in the night and struggling to fall back asleep?
• Is your toddler content during the time they should be sleeping (e.g. calmly talking or singing to themselves)?
• Has your toddler been doing this for at least five days in a row?

If the answer is "yes" to these questions, it may be time to transition to quiet time instead of naps. However, before you take this step, consider the following:

• Is your toddler going through any developmental changes that could be affecting their sleep?
• Is your toddler showing signs of overtiredness?

If your toddler is showing signs of overtiredness, try to keep the nap. Some signs to look out for include increased silliness or clumsiness, increased difficulty focusing, and clinginess or whining.

Remember, every toddler is unique, and their sleep needs may vary. These guidelines are flexible, so use your best judgment to ensure your toddler gets the rest they need.

Preschoolers (3-5 years) need 10-13 hours of sleep and may include a nap

Preschoolers, aged between 3 and 5 years, need 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This may include a nap, but it is not always necessary.

At this age, children are gradually dropping their afternoon napping habit and getting most of their sleep at night. This process is often a gradual one; some days they may nap, and some days they may not. It is not unusual for a child of this age to nap on alternate days or to nap for a few consecutive days and then stop napping for a few days.

If your preschooler is napping, it is important to ensure that their nap does not interfere with their nighttime sleep. If they are struggling to fall asleep at bedtime, are taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, or are waking up early, you may need to shorten their nap or transition to quiet time instead.

Quiet time is when your child has the option to rest or play independently. It is important to provide a calm and safe space for this, free from distractions such as screens or loud noises. Quiet time can help your child relax and recharge and is beneficial for memory consolidation and recharging for the rest of the day.

If your preschooler is not napping, you may need to move their bedtime earlier to ensure they are getting the required amount of sleep. A consistent bedtime routine can also help your child get the sleep they need. This could include a snack, hygiene practices such as brushing their teeth or taking a bath, and reading or singing lullabies.

It is important to be attentive to your child's needs and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. If your child is still napping regularly at age seven, consult your pediatrician to rule out any underlying sleep health concerns.

School-aged kids (6-12 years) need 9-12 hours of sleep and don't usually need naps

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that school-aged children (6-12 years) get 9-12 hours of sleep per day. This is a critical period for brain development and learning, and insufficient sleep can negatively impact a child's ability to concentrate and behave appropriately in school.

As children transition from preschool to school age, their sleep patterns change. They will start sleeping longer at night and taking fewer naps, which will eventually stop altogether. By the age of five, most children no longer need naps, and nearly all children stop napping by the age of seven. If your child is still napping regularly at age seven, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician to rule out any underlying sleep health concerns.

To ensure that school-aged children get the recommended amount of sleep, it is important to establish a consistent bedtime routine. This can include activities such as washing up, brushing teeth, reading a book, or listening to quiet music. It is also crucial to limit screen time and avoid caffeine close to bedtime.

Additionally, creating a soothing environment can promote better sleep. This includes maintaining a comfortable temperature in the bedroom, dimming the lights, and, if needed, using a nightlight. It is also beneficial to spend some quiet time with your child before they go to sleep, avoiding stimulating conversations or activities.

By prioritizing healthy sleep habits, you can help your school-aged child get the necessary amount of sleep, which is essential for their overall development and well-being.

By 5 years of age, most children no longer need naps, with less than 30% still taking them

The amount of sleep a child needs changes as they grow. Generally, toddlers (aged 12 to 24 months) need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, including naps. Preschoolers (aged 3 to 5) need 10 to 13 hours, and may still include a nap. By the time they start school, children should be sleeping through the night without a nap, with a recommended sleep duration of 9 to 12 hours.

By the age of 5, most children no longer need to nap during the day. Less than 30% of 5-year-olds still take naps. This number decreases even further by age 6, where less than 10% of children nap.

There are several signs that indicate a child is ready to stop napping. For example, if they are having difficulty falling asleep at night, it may be because napping during the day is delaying their ability to fall asleep in the evening. If a child is no longer tired during the day and maintains a consistent mood without naps, they may be ready to stop napping. If they are no longer napping at all, and instead, they continue to play or read without signs of sleepiness, this is another indication that they are ready to stop napping.

However, it is important to be attentive to your child's needs. If they are struggling to stay awake during the day after a full night of sleep, they may still need a nap. A lack of sleep can negatively affect a child's emotions, making them more irritable or overtired. In this case, you could try decreasing the length of their nap to help them transition out of napping.

A lack of sleep can negatively impact children's emotions and future academic performance

Sleep is an essential aspect of a child's life, and it has a significant impact on their physical and mental health, as well as their academic performance. A good night's sleep is crucial for several cognitive abilities, including memory, focus, and attention, which are all necessary for a successful academic career.

The Impact of Sleep on Children's Emotions

When children don't get enough sleep, they become more irritable and anxious. Sleep deprivation can also lead to an increase in negative emotions such as stress and depression, which can further affect their emotional well-being. In addition, a lack of sleep can cause hyperactivity, crankiness, impulsiveness, and a short attention span.

The Impact of Sleep on Future Academic Performance

The two most common consequences of insufficient sleep are a decrease in focus and memory. These effects are detrimental on their own, but they also compound each other. A lack of focus results in incomplete information retention and comprehension. This is made worse by the fact that inadequate neural connections are made while learning the information.

In addition, a lack of sleep can lead to a reduction in both short-term and long-term memory. Short-term memory is responsible for retaining information for a brief period, such as remembering someone's name when you first meet them. Long-term memory, on the other hand, involves retaining information for a few hours, days, months, or longer. Effects on long-term memory may be more noticeable when trying to remember due dates or recall past events.

Sleep also plays a crucial role in a child's creativity, which is an essential aspect of studying. When well-rested, the brain can function optimally and engage in creative thinking. However, when sleep-deprived, children are more likely to engage in rigid thinking and struggle to come up with creative solutions to problems.

Furthermore, a lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to illnesses. Illnesses can lead to missed classes and assignments, which can negatively impact grades.

Tips for Improving Sleep

• Set a regular sleep schedule
• Avoid distractions in the bedroom
• Ensure your child gets enough sleep each night

Frequently asked questions