We all love taking care of our little ones, no matter how exhausting it can be. But sometimes, you can’t help but feel relieved when it’s nap time! In their early weeks of life, babies need two naps a day. But at around 12 to 24 months, most parents transition their babies from two naps a day to just one. This transition is not always easy. But don’t worry. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about successfully making the transition from two naps a day to just one. Check out my full guide on deciding when your baby is ready for the transition, picking out the right bamboo baby clothes for their comfort, and more!  

Have you checked out Lark Adventurewear? We make premium bamboo essentials for kids 0-8 years from our special Softek™ fabric. Super-Soft, Breathable and Stain Resistant.

Why Babies Need the Transition to One Nap a Day

Daytime naps are great, but too much sleep in the daytime can lead to a grumpy attitude.

So, why do babies need to be transitioned from two naps to just one a day? It all depends on their unique biological needs. At a young age, babies require two naps a day to ensure healthy brain development. During morning naps, babies experience REM sleep, which is important for their brain development. Babies can also get pretty cranky if they stay awake for a long period of time between naps. Therefore, they need to have two naps per day. But as they grow older, they will begin to show signs that they can handle just one nap per day. 

How to Decide When It’s Time to Make the Transition

Keep an eye out for signs that your little one is ready to make the transition from two naps a day to just one.

Babies can start the transition to one nap per day anywhere from 12 to 24 months in age. As you can see, this is a pretty wide timespan. Because of the varying range at which parents may start to drop the second nap, it’s crucial to make this decision based on the unique needs of your own child rather than making it based on what other parents have done. 

As your child grows closer in age to these general marks, you will want to keep an eye out for these common signs that you need to drop the second nap: 

• When you put them down for the second nap, they start to fuss or start playing and either fall asleep for a short period of time or don’t sleep at all
• They start to wake up earlier in the morning
• Your child remains energetic and cheerful even after missing a nap
• Putting them to bed has suddenly become a tiresome battle

However, just because your child is showing signs of fussiness, that doesn’t mean they are ready to lose the second nap. These signs could be indicative of cutting molars or a result of going through a developmental milestone. That’s why you should wait until these signs persists for at least two weeks before transitioning to one nap a day. In general, it’s better to hold off on dropping the nap rather than attempting to start the transition too early. 

Tips for Starting the Transition

  Try these tips for ensuring a smooth transition.

Now that you are sure your baby is ready to make the transition, it’s time to start taking the actual steps to initiate it. In general, you want to arrange the nap so that it occurs around 11:30am to 12:30pm. For most babies, this occurs about five to six hours after they wake up. You don’t have to make the immediate transition to 11:30am. Instead, start by making it 11:00am. During the time that your baby is awake, you will want to keep her as busy as possible. Avoid taking them on car rides or putting them in a stroller, as they are both prime locations for falling asleep. 

Eventually, you will want to move the nap start time to 12:30pm. To do so, you can push back the nap time by 15 minutes every three to five days. During this time, you can move their bedtime to an earlier time, such as 5:30pm. This will compensate for the long amount of time your baby spends awake. 

Extra Guidance on Ensuring Your Child Stays Comfortable While They Sleep

Don’t forget to keep your little one snug and cozy with soft bamboo baby clothes. 

Ensuring that your little one gets a good nap or a comfortable night’s rest is important. One way you can ensure they enjoy a good sleep is by dressing them in bamboo essentials. From ultimate zip footies to kimono bodysuits, we have everything you need to dress your child for a peaceful nap. Not only are they made of eco-friendly Softek™ fabric that protects your little ones from sun, sweat, and stains, but they are also suitable for layering with other clothes. Breathability and warmth is crucial for sleeping babies, which is why Lark Adventurewear specializes in both with its soft bamboo baby essentials. 

Watching your little ones grow up is an extremely rewarding experience that can be matched by no other. As heartwarming as this process is, there will always be some bumps in the road. One of these bumps might include the transition period from giving your baby two naps a day to just one. But by following these tips and advice, you can make the transition as smooth as possible.

Along with ensuring your child enjoys a proper sleep schedule, it’s also important be mindful of the types of clothes they wear. Bamboo baby clothes, for instance, offer soft fabric, breathability, and more! Check out some adorable bamboo essentials by Lark Adventurewear now!