Ditching the daytime sleep

As a child grows and develops eventually they will cease requiring as many sleeps during the day and it is inevitable that all children ditch the daytime sleep.

The when and how of when a child stops needing a day time sleep altogether differs for each child.

There is no set age for a child to stop having a day sleep it really depends on the child and their individual sleeping patterns already.

Generally, it’s around or by 3 years old. Some children will stop a day time sleep earlier and some may not lose the day time sleep till much later.

By the age of 3 years statistically only around 50% of children will still be having a consistent day sleep. 30% will still have a day time sleep at age 5 years.

When a child does ditch their day time sleep does rely on numerous factors. Their energy level, the amount of quality sleep at night and what they do during the day are generally the top factors.

A toddler will generally transition from two day sleeps to one around the 16-18 months mark.

A child will generally go to sleep earlier in the evening after initially ditching the daytime sleep.

This is a good way of ensuring that they are still getting enough sleep.

A child who has trouble falling to sleep at night after continuing day time sleeps may be ready to transition to less day time naps.

The adjustment of no daytime sleep is probably the hardest in the mid to late afternoon mark (right around dinner too!) as they become quite tired. It is survivable.

A child may be starting to view the day time sleep as the enemy.

A child may resist the day time nap. This may not mean they are actually ready to ditch the sleep.

A child still requires a day sleep if they:

• They consistently fall asleep on their own during the day. This may be in routine times.
• A child’s behaviour changes. A tired child may become more irritable, easily upset, hyperactive, mean or have out of character tantrums. A lack of sleep can impact a child’s emotional reactions and responses which will generally affect their behaviour.
• They show signs of sleepiness. Even if they resist they may need a sleep through their actions displaying signs of being tired.

• Drop the day time sleep gradually. When a child is in the progress of ditching the day sleep there will still be times when they need a day sleep as they transition from day to no day sleep. Going cold turkey on day time sleeps can be tricky for the child to adjust to.
• Do quieter activities in the afternoon to combat their tiredness.
• Do more restful things as this is easier for the child to cope with than having the time packed with things to do or if you are out and about and busy. This way in the adjustment phase it is still possible for them to have a nap if needed.
• Do busy, noisy and strenuous activities in the morning to alleviate the possibility of them become frustrated when tired.
• Talk to them about being tired and how it is OK to want to rest or how you can become cranky or grumpy when tired.
• Let them know it is fine to want to have a sleep again at any point.
• Be mindful that when they ditch the day sleep they may need more sleep earlier at night. Alternatively they may sleep a little later in the morning. Be prepared to adjust their bedtime routine to accommodate if necessary.