If naps have suddenly turned into a daily guessing game, you’re not imagining it.

One day your baby naps beautifully, the next they refuse everything. Bedtime feels
harder, evenings feel longer and you find yourself Googling nap transitions, when to
drop naps or why my baby won’t nap at 3am.

I’ve been there too. As a mum, I know how unsettling it feels when sleep suddenly
changes and nothing seems to work the way it used to.

Take a breath. You haven’t broken anything.

Naps are something most of us adults would happily schedule into our day, yet many
babies and toddlers seem to fight them with every ounce of their being.

If you’re feeling confused, frustrated or wondering “is it just my child?” you’re
absolutely not alone.

For little ones, naps are a really important part of healthy sleep and development.
But as they grow, their sleep needs naturally reduce. And that’s where things start to
feel wobbly. The number of naps they need changes, timings feel off and suddenly
what used to work… doesn’t.

These periods are called nap transitions and honestly, they are rarely smooth, neat
or predictable.

If naps have suddenly become short, skipped, late or stressful, you might be
wondering whether your child is ready to drop a nap, or whether this is just a phase.
Most of the time, it’s actually a bit of both.

What does this look like in real life? Inconsistency.

Some days naps go beautifully. Other days they’re short, skipped, refused or all over
the place. This isn’t your routine failing or your child being difficult it’s biology doing
its thing.

When Do Nap Transitions Usually Happen?

One of the most common things parents Google is “when do babies drop naps?” or
“when do toddlers stop napping?”

While every child is different (and I really do mean that), there are some general age
ranges where nap transitions tend to show up:

• 3 naps to 2 naps: around 6–9 months
• 2 naps to 1 nap: around 12–18 months
• 1 nap to no naps: anywhere from 2.5 years up to school age

Very few children are truly ready to stop napping before the age of two and most
have stopped by around five.

That said, age alone isn’t the best indicator. What matters far more is how your
child is coping day to day.

Signs Your Baby or Toddler Might Be Ready to Drop a Nap

During nap transitions, you might start to notice patterns like:

• Naps taking much longer to happen
• One nap being regularly refused
• Short naps despite age‑appropriate awake time
• Bedtime becoming harder after days with more daytime sleep
• Waking earlier than usual, even though the environment is right

One off bad day? Totally normal.

Nap transitions tend to make themselves known consistently over time, not just
once or twice.

A little caveat to this is that if sleep is already disrupted and unpredictable, it can be
difficult to spot signs of a nap transition.

The 3 to 2 Nap Transition (Around 6–9 Months)

This is often the first big nap transition parents notice and it usually revolves around
that late afternoon nap. Biologically, this nap is tricky. Your baby’s body is naturally
pushing for wakefulness at this time of day, so resistance is very common. But (and
this is important), many babies still need that nap to make it to bedtime without
becoming overtired.

The good news? This nap doesn’t need to be perfect.

A bridging nap - a short, flexible nap in the pram, car, sling or carrier - is often more
than enough.

The 2 to 1 Nap Transition (Around 12–18 Months)

This is the one most parents find the hardest and for good reason.

The 2 to 1 nap transition can take weeks or even months. It’s incredibly common
for toddlers to cope well on one nap some days… and clearly need two on others.

Trying to force one long nap too early often backfires.

A much gentler (and usually more successful) approach is to alternate:

• One nap days when your toddler copes well
• Two nap days when they’re clearly struggling

This flexibility supports their changing sleep needs without tipping them into
overtiredness.

A bridging nap could be perfect for them here too!

The 1 Nap to 0 Nap Transition (Toddler & Preschool Years)

Parents often worry about when toddlers stop napping, but this transition is usually
slow and very gradual. This can mean that it can seem a little inconsistent for a while
- you just have to lean into this.

Some children skip naps quite naturally and cope well. Others still need daytime
sleep long after they start resisting it.

If sleep isn’t happening, quiet time still counts. Resting, reading, cuddling or
playing calmly gives their body a break even without sleep.

Earlier bedtimes on no‑nap days can make a huge difference here, as can a short
bridging nap if it’s timed right!

And just to be really clear: there is absolutely no rush to drop the final nap.

Managing Nap Transitions Without Putting Life on Hold

Daytime sleep is much more fragile than night sleep, which is why naps can feel so
unpredictable especially during transitions.This is where flexibility becomes your best
friend. During nap transitions, some rest is far better than chasing perfect naps.

Need a Bit More Support?

If you’re stuck in a nap transition and constantly wondering whether to drop a nap or
ride it out, personalised support can make a huge difference.

You can visit www.minidreamerssleepconsultant.co.uk to find out how I can
support you and your little one with gentle, flexible sleep solutions that fit real life.

You can also find me on Instagram @minidreamerssleep for daily tips, reassurance
and realistic sleep support from one mum to another.

You’re doing a brilliant job. Even on the days it may not feel like it.

Written by Emily - Baby and Toddler Sleep Consultant, Primary School Teacher and founder of @minidreamerssleep