When Do Babies Switch To One Nap? All You Need To Know
Babies are the most precious gift of parents’ life, and caring for them since their birth is a huge responsibility that lies upon us. Napping is one of the major tasks of the daily schedule of babies. During the first few months of birth, babies are too small and cannot do anything.
Therefore, their daily routine is confined to getting fed and taking naps. Most of the time, babies have two or three nap times per day. Their sleep routine is important for parents and other family members to fulfill their day-to-day activities peacefully.
When considering the napping behavior of babies, they are changing it with age. So, when do babies switch to one nap is a common question that every parent must be aware of since it is necessary to understand their babies’ sleeping changes.
Then, when do babies switch to one nap? As a mother of a baby boy of 2 years old, I can share my experiences with you regarding the matter of baby napping. Generally, babies switch to one nap during 12-24 months, mostly after their first birthday. My baby boy started to switch to one nap for 14 months, and it has taken more than 5 weeks for him to transfer and adapt to the new situation. However, this can be changed from baby to baby. They can show off different signs of readiness such as refusal of scheduled naps and afternoon naps, early wake-ups, equal length naps, and extended hour staying.
From this article, you may be able to find answers for the matter, “when do babies switch to one nap” and the signs that your kid may be ready for switching to one nap.
Then you’ll understand how to make the transition to one nap together with the steps you should follow.
Finally, let’s identify how long your baby may take to transfer into one nap from two or three naps. If you are a parent with a toddler, then this article will find you.
Let’s get started!
When do babies switch to one nap?
Suppose you are a parent of a toddler. In that case, you may be highly concerned about the behavioral factors of your baby. Since they are too small and have no strength to do anything, they need the special attention of parents and the family.
Babies, during their early months, always prefer to feed and nap. Napping seems their significant activity of the day. A common concern, newborn babies may sleep approximately 14-17 hours per day.
It may run as three to five naps regularly. When they pass months, they may limit this napping period to two or three times per day. Babies of 6-12 months may take two naps per day. Next, we meet the answer for the matter, when do babies switch to one nap.
Typically, babies switch to one nap from their two naps per day at the age of between 12-24 months. It means after their 1st birthday; they start the transition to one nap by ending their toddler lives.
However, this switching to one nap may be challenging and irritating for parents since it has no constant pattern initially. In the beginning, some babies switch their sleep into nighttime by dropping a daytime nap, while some may drop the nighttime nap.
If not, in some instances, they choose the napping time according to their preference. They may nap morning on one day and night on another day.
In the beginning, I also had the same problem as a mother with my baby. He started his transition to one nap at 14 months, and in the beginning, most of the time, he dropped his night nap.
That makes me so tired since I also had no sleep during nighttime and had to be with him, trying to make him sleep. However, now he is fine and adapted to sleep at night by dropping his daytime nap.
So, understanding and adapting to this napping behavior is extremely difficult for parents at the beginning with their busy schedules. But, there is nothing to do.
You have to endure those instances for your kid since the transition to one nap is a natural behavioral pattern that can be witnessed in their lives. It is important for their future while it molds them ready for the active world.
Signs that your baby is ready for switching to one nap
If your baby is at 12-24 months, then you should be cautious about his behavior and body language since it’s the time for your baby to switch to one nap.
Your baby may show off some signs of transition during this period, and being aware of them is important to notify your baby’s change and support him to adapt.
When babies switch to one nap, try to identify whether your baby shows even one or two of these signs. These can be slightly changed with your baby since I’m sharing experiences regarding my baby with you.
1. Refuse regularly scheduled naps
Suppose your baby is continuously refusing his regularly scheduled naps. In that case, it is a sign of his transition to one nap from the former two or three naps.
You may witness that your baby has no intention to adapt his regular sleeping procedure further. Then you may need to change his sleeping schedules.
2. Refuse afternoon nap for two weeks
Suppose your baby continues to refuse his afternoon nap constantly for two weeks. In that case, it will also be a sign of his way of transitioning to one nap.
My baby boy refused his afternoon nap for more than three weeks, and I couldn’t do my household activities as well during those days due to his nap refusal.
3. Stay awake for long hours
When your baby starts to stay awake for more than 4-5 hours straight without any fussiness than usual, then it is also a sign of a nap transition.
Normally, babies are not spending 3-4 hours awake at an early age. Within this transition period, they reach that ability to stay long.
4. Equal length naps
Your baby may start to take equal length naps during this period, which may differ in time.
The time he sleeps will not be regular, and they will change according to his preference. But most of the time, your baby may take naps of equal length of 2-3 hours.
5. Wake up in the early morning
Suppose your baby in 12-24 months may start to wake up suddenly in the early morning than usual and continue to do so for more than two weeks.
In that case, it’s time for you to consider his nap transition. This change will be so irritating sometimes since my baby started to wake up at 3 am.
How to make the transition to one nap?
After knowing when babies switch to one nap, as parents, you have to identify how to make the transition to one nap of your baby. He may experience that period of wandering off through the signs of switching to one nap for over two weeks.
When you identify that your baby has reached the age-appropriate for their switch to one nap, you should follow steps to make the transition of your baby’s two or three naps into one nap. Here are some steps you can follow to do that switch.
1. Identify the signs
First, you need to stay alert and identify the signs your baby may show off to depict the readiness to switch for one nap.
We’ve already discussed the signs of refusing regular scheduled naps and afternoon naps, early wake-ups, equal length naps, and staying awake for long hours.
If your kid is exhibiting at least one or two of these signs, then as parents, you have to realize that your kid is ready to switch to one nap.
2. Shift it gradually
Don’t try to switch for one nap at once, and don’t expect that your baby may be able to adapt to it at first glance.
You should make the process gradual to achieve more success and make it comfortable for your baby. Do not change napping time and duration all at once.
Try to shift it gradually from the first nap and increase the awakening time.
3. Make adjustments for the bedtime
You have to change the bedtime schedule of your baby according to the new situation. The schedule you used earlier may not work with the new age group and transitions of your baby.
So, you have to make necessary adjustments for your baby’s sleeping time and duration, and it is better to try several times and durations until the most appropriate time is met.
4. Adapt your daily schedules
Most importantly, you have to adapt your working hours and daily routine according to the napping behavior of your baby.
It will be difficult with your busy schedules. Still, you have to make adjustments and discuss with your partner and work cooperatively.
5. Be patient and consistent
Transitioning to one nap of your baby may be a challenging task and a tiring activity for you. Since they are too young, they need special care and attention from their parents.
Therefore, you have to bear the burden until it reaches a manageable age for your kid. Stay patient and don’t get discouraged from the challenges, and be consistent in the task.
How long does it take to transfer?
When observing “when do babies switch to one nap,” as parents, you have to be aware of how long it will take your babies to transfer to one nap from two or three naps so far.
Your babies are too small with 12-24 months during this switch to one nap, and therefore it will be too difficult for them to adapt to a new transition. They are at a growing age, and their brains are not developed yet.
Generally, it may take at least 4-6 weeks for your baby to switch to the situation and adapt. There will be several changes in your child’s nap, napping hours, and time within this period.
Your kid’s body may adapt to consolidate to one nap that is different from their so far napping behavior during the first few weeks.
After that, you may feel everything is fine and go for a better path than before. Until then, you have to understand the capacity of your baby and patiently endure the situation.
Conclusion – When do newborn babies switch to one nap?
So, when do babies switch to one nap? Now you are well knowledgeable about the matter and have a good understanding of the period that your baby may switch to one nap from his regular two or three naps.
I guess now you have got a clear idea about the signs of readiness of your kid to transfer into one nap and the steps you should follow for that. In addition, you have got an idea about the duration your baby may take to transfer to one nap.
So, if you have a little toddler, you have to pay more attention to them and should be knowledgeable about every little fact about them. Your baby’s nap is essential for his comfort, health, and well-being. Therefore, make sure that the switch to one nap of your baby will happen better.
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned with BestFamilyLife for more good content.
