To Nap or Not to Nap?
With the days getting shorter and daylight savings creeping up, many parents begin to worry about the change this will cause in their child’s sleep patterns. Wanting to keep little ones from rising too early in the morning, this is often a time they contemplate dropping naps from their child’s daily schedule, hoping it will improve their nighttime sleep.
So will it? Consider these ABCs before making a final decision:
Age
Is your child of an age that they could reasonably last through a whole day without requiring even a short rest to recharge? While this is definitely child-dependent, about 50 percent of children are still napping at age 4 (according to Sleep.org).
Children ages 2 to 5 years old require anywhere from 10 to 14 hours of sleep per day (between naps and night sleep), so if your young child is fighting naps, it is likely just a phase and a nap would still be beneficial for them to ensure they’re getting the rest they need.
Behaviour
Is your child acting out of character, getting fussy or emotional in the day? Lack of sleep can make even the best of us cranky so consider if this is just a one-off or if you’re noticing a consistent pattern of behaviour.
If you notice these changes consistently in your child, it is likely that tiredness is the cause and naps are the cure.
Cues
Watch your child for cues of sleepiness: Do they fall asleep on their own at naptime, even with some resistance? Are they starting off into space or zoning out? Do they rub their eyes or yawn frequently?
These are all signs that your child likely still needs a daytime rest.
The bottom line: You know your child best so use your judgment to determine when is the best time for them to discontinue napping.
Even if you choose to stop naps, we recommend having a set rest time each day. Your child could lie down in bed or on the couch with a quiet activity such as a book. This will allow their mind and body to slow down, relax and recharge so they’re ready to take on the rest of the day with renewed energy.
