Has my DS grown out of naps?

Northern78

Hi all

I've got a 2 year old DS, 2 years and 8 months to be precise, we've also got another one on the way, due at start of November.

I work 4 days a week and DS goes to grandparents on those days. Up until recently (last fortnight) he would go down for his naps no problem at all. Would sleep for 1.5 / 2 hours. However in this last fortnight it's all changed. He now cries, makes every excuse for you to go and see him, drink, wee wee, scared etc.

Around the same time we've also entered the major tantrum stage, you know the ones where if you ask him to put his shoes/clothes/coat on it results in a major breakdown. I thought this was because he hasn't been having his naps and so was tired but I'm now wondering if it's just part of the stage he's going through which coincides with him also not needing a nap.

The only thing that happened during the last fortnight is he had a cold which upset his night sleeping for a few nights but all seems ok now.

So I was wondering if anyone else had been through similar and if it was the end of nap time?

At night he sleeps from about 19:30 to 6:30 and 99% of the time it’s straight through with no waking up.

Thanks

clairec79

none of mine would nap at that age (but plenty of other mums found their child napped for longer)

Northern78

Thanks Clairec79.

I'm guessing it probably is the end of naps but don't then want to stop trying if he still does need one. Will see what he's like this week without a nap.

Thanks

peachyprice

It's about the right age.

Northern78

Thanks peachyprice. I guess I have to be grateful he's a good sleeper at night but I have to admit I will miss nap times

teffers

The point at which they decide they don't 'want' a nap can be very different to the point where they no longer 'need' a nap

Northern78

Teffers that was my response to my parents!!! My mum keeps saying he doesn't want a nap any more and I keep saying just cos he doesn't want one doesn't mean he doesn't need one.

I'm having to go with my mum's view though as all the crying at nap time is causing hassle for them and as they're free childcare I don't want to have them stressing out.

The only good thing is im only working till the end of October so then he will be at home with me and we can have the nap time battle at home. He knows i'm not a push over

CH27

When son grew out of nap time I started sitting quietly with him reading a book to him. It kept him quiet & calm for an hour & seemed to stop the over tired wailing at teatime.

Northern78

Thanks CH27.

That's the kind of thing my mum is trying to do with him. She's sticking him in his PJ's and laying him on the sofa to see if he'll just have some quiet time. If he keeps his clothes on he wants to be out in the garden playing.

AnnieO1234

Mines exactly the same, he's 2 years and 10 months and for at least the last three months he just will not nap unless he's on a loooong car journey. Other moms I know have kids still napping at almost 4 which I can't get my head around personally. Each child is different and so long as he isn't cranky and needing the sleep I really wouldn't worry! Xxx

4nnabella

My daughter is the same age (three in January) and she *can* go all day without a nap, but often runs the risk of falling asleep at about 5pm. I work four days a week and she goes to nursery, and she sleeps for about an hour. On our days at home, if we stay at home she will normally go without a nap, or if we are out and about and we're in the car around lunchtime she will usually fall asleep.

We have recently moved house, and subsequently changed nursery, and at her old nursery she regularly didn't nap, but now she's at this new one, she does nap! So it kind of feels like she's in a limbo period between needing a nap and not.

I'd just go with it, as long as he's still getting plenty of sleep at night (and it sounds like he is) and isn't too overtired/stressy in the afternoon/early evening then I wouldn't worry too much.