Why do toddlers need to nap? Toddlers need to nap to support their growth and development. Their bodies and brains are growing at very rapid rates and they need time to recharge and process all of the many things they are learning all. of. the. time. In addition, toddlers are little people, just like us, who become irritable without enough sleep. Your toddler will be much happier and better behaved with adequate sleep, which will also cut down on temper tantrums (but we can't guarantee
toddler naps
10 Naptime Tips You Can Use Today
Naps that are too short, or naps that are erratic and don't follow any kind of predictable pattern, can sure get a parent down. It's especially frustrating when your baby or toddler has been napping well, but then naps suddenly go into a tailspin. (Hint - this often happens during a sleep regression, or during a nap transition.) If you're struggling with erratic or shortened naps, don't worry - we can help! In today's article, we offer 10 quick tips that you can put to use
The 13 Most Popular Baby Sleep Site Blog Articles of 2013
Happy New Year's Eve, readers! Whether you have fun plans for a night on the town tonight, or whether you will be ringing in 2014 from the comfort of your couch, know that all of us here at The Baby Sleep Site wish you and yours the happiest possible New Year! :) In the spirit of counting down, we thought it would be fun to do a countdown of our own. That's why, today, we are presenting you with the top 13 Baby Sleep Site blog articles of 2013. So, without further delay -- here are the
3 Signs Your Toddler Is Ready To Stop Napping and How To Transition to Rest Time
Ever heard the expression 'all good things must come to an end'? It proves true in many cases, doesn't it? Good books, beach vacations, chocolate cake...sooner or later, good stuff ends. We could add something else to that list - naps. It's true, parents; the naps that were (or perhaps are) a regular part of your baby's life will gradually decrease, and at some point in your little one's toddlerhood, they will stop altogether. But how do you know when your toddler is ready to drop the
Your Toddler’s Sleep Regressions Explained
Baby and toddler sleep is an ever-shifting, ever-changing thing, isn't it? Just when you think you're done with sleep training, done with nap time drama, done with night wakings -- you find out you're not. Something happens (an illness, a bout of teething, a vacation, etc.), and everything falls apart. And it's so discouraging. So normal, but so very, very discouraging. Sometimes, you can trace the blip in your little one's sleep to an obvious factor (like a recent vacation, for
How Many Naps Does Your Baby or Toddler Actually Need?
Napping is a hot topic around The Baby Sleep Site®, and it’s no wonder: most of us count nap time as our favorite time of the day! Of course, naps are essential for the health and development of your baby, but don’t count yourself out -- you need a little downtime during the day, too! And naps offer the perfect opportunity for you to get a little breather. One of the most popular questions we get around here (aside from “How can I get my baby to nap longer?”) is “How many naps does
Why Not All 12 Month Olds Transition to One Nap
As your baby approaches her first birthday, most parents are beginning to wonder when it's time to transition to one nap. How will you know when it's time? Don't all 12 month olds take just one nap? Actually, they don't. It surprised me when I was a new mom, too, but the average age for a toddler to transition to one nap is actually between 15 and 18 months. They take just one nap until between 3 and 4 years old, on average, before they stop napping all together. This article will review the
5 Toddler Napping Tips
Getting a toddler to nap is not always an easy task. Here are 5 tips to help your toddler nap better. 1. Age-appropriate nap schedule for your toddler The first tip is to make sure you are napping your toddler at the right time. Some people are surprised to know that toddlers do not typically transition to just one midday nap until 15-18 months, on average. At many daycares, for example, they tend to transition many toddlers to one nap around their first birthday. While this may be okay