Naps remain essential for one-year-olds

At one year old, naps are still a crucial part of a baby's daily routine. The child needs daytime sleep, even as nighttime sleep becomes longer. At this age, most babies still need two naps: a long nap in the early afternoon and a shorter one in the morning, according to Pauline Lotte, a pediatric nurse and sleep specialist.

Variability in nap schedules

Not all one-year-olds follow the same nap pattern. Some may have already transitioned to a single nap, while others may still need a third nap, especially if their first two are short. This variability shows that each baby's sleep needs are unique and may change over time.

Signs of transitioning to one nap

Transitioning from two to one nap can be identified by signs like a later morning nap, the child appearing less tired in the morning, or the morning nap pushing back the afternoon nap. Parents can try eliminating the morning nap by moving the afternoon nap earlier to compensate for the lost rest.

Caution with nap changes

Regression at one year old is common, with babies refusing the morning nap for a few days or weeks. If the child still seems tired, it is important to continue offering the nap systematically. Eliminating the morning nap too early can lead to significant fatigue, with the child becoming tired by mid-morning and irritable afterward.

Scheduling naps effectively

When a baby still has two naps, it is best to schedule them between mid-morning and early afternoon. The second nap should begin around 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. and end no later than 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. When transitioning to a single nap, the nap should be moved forward to around 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to allow for a longer rest period.