Jay Summer Staff Writer
Jay Summer
Staff Writer
Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy.
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Dr. Nilong Vyas Pediatrician
Dr. Nilong Vyas
Pediatrician
Dr. Vyas is a pediatrician and founder of Sleepless in NOLA. She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children.
Want to read more about all our experts in the field?
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Up-to-Date
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- How Much Sleep Does a 2-Year-Old Need?
- Why Won’t Your 2-Year-Old Nap?
- Is There a 2-Year-Old Sleep Regression?
- What is an Example of a Sleep Schedule for a 2-Year-Old?
- How to Help a 2-Year-Old Nap
Key Takeaways
- An afternoon nap that is 1 to 3 hours long can help a 2-year-old achieve the total hours of sleep they need.
- Naps can help toddlers in their development, including regulating emotions and consolidating memory.
- 2-year-olds experiencing sleep regression may be resistant to napping.
- Nap needs can vary, observe your child’s behaviors and maintain a consistent nap schedule for better sleep.
While there are no official guidelines on how long a 2-year-old should nap, most toddlers at this age can nap for around one to three hours per day. Children of this age get the majority of their sleep at night.
Parents and caregivers hear lots of advice about toddler naps and sleep, and it is important to remember that every child is different. Nevertheless, it is normal to wonder if a toddler’s napping habits are age-appropriate, given that adequate sleep is important for a young child’s behavior, development, and health.
How Much Sleep Does a 2-Year-Old Need?
According to experts, 2-year-olds need between 11 and 14 hours of sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , including naps. However, some children fall on the higher end of the sleep spectrum and may need up to 15 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
Researchers who study sleep in children have found that the typical 2-year-old takes an afternoon nap that lasts from one and a half to about three hours. Younger toddlers usually take two naps, but starting at about 18 to 24 months, most children have dropped to one nap per day Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source .
“Children in daycare are often only offered an opportunity to nap for an hour or two. Many parents will replicate that on weekends, thus creating a shortened napping routine. If parents find that their child is sleepy on weekends, offering a nap that is an hour and a half up to three hours is okay.”
Dr. Nilong Vyas, Pediatrian
In general, children’s naps become shorter Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source as they grow and develop. Eventually, they can get all the sleep they need at night. About one-half of children stop napping by age 3, and nearly all give up daytime naps by age 5 or 6 Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . The amount of sleep a child needs also decreases as they grow, and experts recommend that 3- to 5-year-olds get 10 to 13 hours of sleep each day, including any naps. But experts recommend allowing a child to sleep if they require it.
A 2-year-old’s nap should be taken early in the afternoon so it does not interfere with nighttime sleep. Try a nap wake-up time that is at least three to four and a half hours before the child’s evening bedtime.
Why Won’t Your 2-Year-Old Nap?
There are many reasons why a 2-year-old may resist taking a nap.
- Toddler independence: Most 2-year-olds are discovering that they are separate from their parents and caregivers. This sense of independence leads to testing limits in many areas, including nap time.
- Unfamiliar environments: A toddler who is used to napping in their quiet bedroom at home may have trouble settling down in a louder, busier childcare setting.
- Body clock mismatch: A child’s circadian rhythm may not align with a scheduled nap time, making them alert and active when they are expected to nap.
- Inconsistent schedule: Children love routines and will do better when nap time is at the same time every day.
- Too much screen time: Like older children and adults, too much television or screen time can interfere with sleep.
Research shows that napping plays a role in brain development Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source for young children, helping with memory, learning and thinking, and the ability to use and understand language. Napping may also help children learn new motor skills Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , which help them coordinate muscle movements.
Dropping naps before a child is ready can impact their development, including how they regulate emotions and handle difficult or challenging tasks. They may also have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep Trusted Source Wiley Online LibraryWiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books.View Source at night if they give up naps too soon.
Is There a 2-Year-Old Sleep Regression?
Sleep regressions can happen at any age. A sleep regression is a setback in a child’s sleep patterns that may happen around certain stages of development. If a 2-year-old starts to wake up in the middle of the night, too early in the morning, or their regular sleep is disturbed in another way, they may be experiencing a sleep regression.
Common reasons for sleep regression include:
- Separation anxiety
- Child has not learned to get back to sleep on their own
- Developmental milestones
- Teething
- Too much stimulation before bedtime
- Changes in the family schedule
- Nightmares or dreams
What Is an Example of a Sleep Schedule for a 2-Year-Old?
Every child is different, but a sample sleep schedule can give parents and caregivers an idea of how to create structure Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health.View Source in a child’s sleep schedule, which helps toddlers anticipate naptime.
| Example Sleep Schedule for a 2-Year-Old | |
|---|---|
| Wake | 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. |
| Nap after lunch | 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Wake from nap | 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Start bedtime routine | 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. |
| Bedtime | 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
How to Help a 2-Year-Old Nap
Caregivers and parents can help a 2-year-old nap by keeping a consistent schedule and taking steps to promote good sleep hygiene.
- Stay active: Ensure toddlers move a lot during the day and get outside for some natural light Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source when possible.
- Stay on schedule: Stick to a regular naptime, bedtime, and morning wake-up time every day of the week.
- Follow routines: Establish a calming routine to relax before nap time, like reading a book or singing softly. Make sure all care providers know the child’s nap routine and schedule.
- Set the stage: Keep the toddler’s crib or bed clear of too many toys so they learn that it is a place for sleep. It may be comforting for children to take a favorite toy or blanket to bed.
- Watch for signs: When toddlers are tired, they may be cranky, overly active, or throw temper tantrums, in addition to more obvious signs like yawning and rubbing their eyes.
- Care for the caregiver: Children’s sleep habits are challenging and constantly changing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . When you get enough sleep and practice self-care, it is easier to handle the ups and downs of parenting a toddler.
It’s helpful for parents and caregivers to keep in mind that refusing to sleep during the day does not necessarily mean a child is ready to stop napping altogether. Many 2-year-olds will continue to nap as long as they need the extra sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source and nap time is part of the daily schedule.
Even when a toddler appears to be outgrowing their nap, this is something that usually happens over time. During this transition, some children will nap Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source when given the opportunity.
“Be prepared, especially during the transition from two to one naps. A child may go days with only needing one nap and other days needing two. Continue to follow their cues to know which day the child will need which schedule. If the toddler is in childcare and taking a shorter nap, offering an extended nap time on weekends is appropriate.”
Dr. Nilong Vyas, Pediatrician
When it is clear that a child has given up napping, parents and caregivers should not force a nap, as doing so can cause poor sleep at night.
Written By
Jay Summer,Staff Writer
Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Nilong Vyas,PediatricianMD
Dr. Vyas is a pediatrician and founder of Sleepless in NOLA. She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children.
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