They refuse their nap, but collapse at 6 p.m.? Or on the contrary, they sleep two hours in the afternoon and can't fall asleep at night? Naps change a lot between ages 1 and 5. Here are the benchmarks.
Until what age should kids nap?
There's no set age. Most children stop napping between ages 3 and 5. Some still need one at 5, others drop it before 3. What matters: their mood and energy at the end of the day.
How long should a nap last?
| Age | Typical nap |
|---|---|
| 1 year – 18 months | often 1 to 2 naps, which merge into one |
| 2 years | 1 nap in the early afternoon, often 1.5 to 2 hours |
| 3 years | 1 shorter nap, often 1 to 1.5 hours |
| 4-5 years | short nap, quiet time, or no nap at all |
These lengths are common benchmarks, not rules: the nap is part of the total sleep over 24 hours (see how many hours should a child sleep). If the nap gets longer, the night often gets shorter.
Signs they're ready to stop napping
- they take a very long time to fall asleep at nap time, or no longer fall asleep at all;
- on nap days, they fall asleep much later at night;
- on no-nap days, they stay in a good mood until bedtime.
Conversely, if they're grumpy, cry easily, or fall asleep in the car late in the afternoon, they probably still need to sleep.
How to drop the nap gently
- Shorten the nap gradually rather than dropping it all at once.
- Replace it with quiet time: books, soft music, in their room.
- Move bedtime a little earlier for the first few weeks.
- Keep the nap on days of heavy tiredness (outings, illness).
Naps and preschool
In preschool, naps are usually scheduled in the afternoon. Children who no longer sleep are often offered a quiet time. If your child comes home exhausted, an earlier bedtime in the evening helps a lot.
A good nap is also about good position
On a cushion that's too high or an adult pillow, a toddler sleeps with the head bent and the mouth open. At home, a low pillow suited to their age helps them truly rest, at nap time as at night.
What about the pillow? For ages 1-3, you need a very low pillow (2 to 4 cm, about 0.8 to 1.6 in); for ages 3-8, a bit higher (4 to 6 cm, about 1.6 to 2.4 in).
The Lymphelia Kids Posture Pillow has a center dip and neck support, in 3 heights by age, to keep the head in line with the back all night.
Discover the Kids Posture Pillow100-night trial · Free shipping · Which size? Take the quiz
Frequently asked questions
Nap at age 2: how long?
Often a nap of 1.5 to 2 hours in the early afternoon. If it lasts much longer, bedtime at night can become difficult.
My 3-year-old no longer wants to nap. Is that normal?
Yes, some children stop around age 3. Offer quiet time and move bedtime a little earlier.
Should I wake a child from their nap?
If a nap that's too long keeps them from falling asleep at night, you can gently wake them after 1.5 to 2 hours.
Naps and nighttime sleep: what's the connection?
A nap that's too late or too long delays falling asleep in the evening. A nap in the early afternoon is generally ideal.