You’ve noticed that your little one is getting more and more alert during the day. Instead of being sleepy when it’s normally time for a snooze, they’re wide awake and ready to play. You wonder: When do babies drop to 2 naps a day? Might your baby be ready?
In this article, we’ll tell you the signs that it’s time for your baby to drop a nap. We’ll also give you tips on how to manage your little one’s nap transition.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- The importance of nap time
- When do babies drop to 2 naps?
- Signs your baby is ready to drop to 2 naps
- Tips to manage a nap transition
The importance of nap time
Between naps and nighttime, a newborn sleeps up to 18 hours a day. That’s a lot of shuteye! But here’s the rub: At the beginning, an infant will only sleep one to two hours at a time.
And a lot goes on while baby’s eyes are closed. When your baby nods off, their body is busy laying the foundation for both their mental and physical health. Their brain is developing, and growth hormone is being secreted.
During these hours, muscles and bones will grow, and emotional regulation, behavioral development, memory, and cognition will improve. Sufficient sleep also keeps your baby’s immune system functioning and healthy.
When do babies drop to 2 naps?
Whereas a newborn will start off napping about four times a day, as the months go on, they’ll be able to drop a nap and then two. Your little one will likely be between seven and 10 months old by the time they’re only napping twice a day.
Of course, don’t worry if your baby is ready a little earlier or later than average. Babies drop to 2 naps at their own pace. It’s best to wait until they’re showing the signs that they’re ready before you transition their nap schedule.
Signs your baby is ready to drop to 2 naps
There are several things to look out for if you think it’s about time for your little one to drop to 2 naps a day. Let’s take a look.
Having trouble falling asleep
First of all, if your little one is awake and alert and not ready to doze off at nap time, it might be time to consider dropping a nap. Look at your baby’s pattern: Is this happening every day, or is it a one-time phenomenon?
If you’re consistently watching them struggle to get to sleep as they’re too eager to play, give them more awake time between naps until you drop a nap altogether.
Staying up late to fit in a third nap
If you’ve pushed those wake windows to be longer and longer to accommodate your energetic infant, you might find that the last nap of the day is practically bedtime. If this is the case, it’s probably time to forget about that last nap.
Waking up in the middle of the night
If your little one wakes up in the middle of the night and is not interested in sleep, they might be napping too much during the day. Drop a nap and see how that changes things.
Waking up early in the morning
Similarly, if your baby is a very early riser — before the proverbial rooster crows — it is a sign that they may be getting too much sleep during the day. Let your baby drop to 2 naps and see if this helps them to sleep in a little later.
Refusing to nap
If your baby flat out refuses to nap, it's a pretty clear-cut sign that it’s time to forget that last nap. It also speaks volumes about your little one’s strong personality!
Note: Some babies may also refuse to nap due to teething, illness, or developmental milestones.
Tips to manage a nap transition
If your baby is ready to transition from three naps to two, there are some things you can do to make this change go more smoothly.
Keep your baby active during the day.
First of all, you want to keep your baby engaged and busy during the day. Start with some outside time in the sun to set your little one’s circadian rhythm. Then sing and play their awake hours away. They’ll not only love it, but it will make them more nap-ready when the time comes.
Lengthen wake windows.
As we mentioned earlier, lengthening your baby’s wake windows is a great way to edge out that last nap. Little by little, these windows get longer until that last nap falls around bedtime and can be removed from the schedule altogether.
It’s best to aim for about two and a half to three hours between naps.
Replace the third nap with quiet time.
In place of the third nap, you might want to give your little one some quiet time instead. They can have some soft toys to play with, or you can read a quiet story.
Keep up your nap and bedtime routine.
While you’re shifting the timing and number of naps your baby will take, don’t skimp on the routine. Keeping up with your baby’s naptime routine is more important than ever.
Whether you dim the lights and turn on some soft music, or give your bub a sweet baby massage, be consistent when it’s time for some shuteye.
Put your baby to bed early if needed.
If that last nap is edging closer to bedtime, instead of keeping the nap in the schedule, opt for an earlier bedtime. This way, your little one won’t become overtired.
When it does come time for you to put your baby to sleep, be sure it’s on a firm, breathable mattress. Our Original Crib Mattress is breathable and washable, and features a soft, quilted, removable cover.
You might also want an Extra Original Crib Mattress Cover to swap out in case of an “accident” as well as a 2-pack (or more) of our Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets.
And, of course, always place your baby on their back for sleep, and keep soft bedding, pillows, blankets, and toys out of the crib.
Be patient and ask for help.
Sometimes it takes a little bit before your baby gets the hang of the new schedule. Being consistent with how you’re approaching the nap transition is key. Watch for your baby’s cues and try to be patient. If it’s not working, adjust as needed.
Sweet dreams, baby!
Now that you know babies drop to 2 naps between seven and 10 months, you can be prepared to watch for the signs.
When nap time does come around, be sure your little one has a firm, breathable mattress to nod off on. Our Newton Crib Mattresses are not only firm and breathable, but they’re also washable from cover to core.
With Newton, you can breathe easy knowing your baby is safe and sound in dreamland!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a nine-month-old still take 3 naps?
Most babies transition from three naps to two between seven and 10 months. So, still having three naps at nine months old is perfectly fine. Even if they continue their pattern for a few more months, it’s not a big deal. Your baby will show signs when they’re ready to drop a nap.
What is an example of a 2-nap schedule?
If your baby is down to two naps, your day may look something like this:
- Nighttime sleep: 11 to 12 hours
- Daytime sleep: two and a half to three hours
- Wake windows: three to four hours
If you aim for two naps a day, your baby may go to bed at 8:00 pm and wake up at 8:00 am. Then, they’ll take their first nap at 12:00 pm and their second nap at 4:00 pm.
Can dropping a nap lead to early wakings?
Yes, when you first drop a nap from your little one’s schedule, it’s possible that they’ll wake up extra early in the morning. Don’t worry, you’ll just have to adjust their sleep schedule a little bit so they wake up at a more suitable hour.
How long does a nap transition take?
There’s no hard and fast rule as to how long a nap transition will take. Generally, you can expect a couple of weeks, although some babies will adapt more quickly and others will take a bit more time.
