Two naps to one: when toddlers switch and how to make it easier

Most toddlers move from two naps to one at around 18 months. KidsHealth says that at around 18 months, or sometimes sooner, most toddlers combine their two naps into one afternoon nap. A toddler who fights the morning nap is probably ready for just an afternoon nap. Expect a few bumpy weeks of one-nap and two-nap days while your toddler's body catches up.

For how naps change across the whole of early childhood, see naps and nap transitions. For full timetables at this age, see the 12–18 month sleep schedule.

When do toddlers go from two naps to one?

The usual range runs from around the first birthday to about 18 months, with some toddlers later.

• Nationwide Children's Hospital says 12-month-olds take either one or two naps.
• KidsHealth on naps says young toddlers may still take two naps, but most drop to one nap a day by 18 months.
• A Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne sleep review says that at around 18 months naps are likely to decrease from two to one, taken at a time that best suits the child.
• The Sleep Foundation says that by 18–24 months, children need only one nap a day.

Sleep needs stay high through this stage. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11–14 hours per 24 hours for children aged 1–2, including naps.

What are the signs my toddler is ready for one nap?

Look for a pattern over a week or two, and rule out a cold, teething or a sleep regression first.

• Fighting the morning nap. Your toddler chats, plays or cries through it, or takes a long time to fall asleep.
• The afternoon nap is disappearing. A good morning nap leaves them not tired enough for the second one.
• Bedtime keeps getting later, because the second nap ends late. The Better Health Channel notes that an afternoon nap too close to bedtime can disrupt night sleep.
• Early waking or new night waking with no other cause, which can mean too much day sleep.
• Coping well through the morning. On days the morning nap doesn't happen, your toddler stays reasonably happy until lunch.

Not ready yet often looks like falling asleep in the car or stroller mid-morning, or big meltdowns before lunch on one-nap days. Better Health lists toddler tired signs such as clumsiness, tasks taking longer, crying and emotional tension.

Should I drop the nap gradually or all at once?

Both approaches are common. Choose the one that fits your toddler and your week.

Gradual approach

1. Every few days, push the morning nap a little later.
2. As it moves towards late morning, the afternoon nap gets shorter or drops away on its own.
3. Keep going until the one nap lands around the middle of the day, often after an early lunch.
4. Use an earlier bedtime whenever the day's sleep comes up short.

This suits toddlers who get overtired easily, and families whose days are flexible.

Quicker approach

1. Pick a midday nap time and stick to it, moving lunch a little earlier if needed.
2. Get through the late morning with outdoor time, a snack and active play.
3. Put your toddler to bed noticeably earlier for the first couple of weeks.
4. If a day falls apart, offer a short rescue nap or an even earlier bedtime rather than going back to two naps for good.

This suits toddlers who are clearly fighting the morning nap, or whose childcare has already switched.

With either approach, the RCH review notes that parents can see weeks of mixed sleep patterns as children adjust. It's fine to offer two naps on a day your toddler clearly needs them.

Why does an earlier bedtime help?

Dropping a nap usually means less day sleep and a longer stretch awake in the afternoon. KidsHealth suggests an earlier bedtime when a child gives up daytime naps, and the same logic helps during this transition. Some toddlers need bed noticeably earlier than usual for a few weeks, then drift back to their usual time as they adjust.

What does a day look like before and after?

These are fictional examples built from the ranges above, not targets.

Two-nap day (around 12–14 months) — adjust to your toddler

Transition day on one nap — adjust to your toddler

Settled one-nap day (around 18 months) — adjust to your toddler

Each of these days lands within the 11–14 hours the AASM recommends, counting the nap.

What if childcare moves my toddler to one nap earlier?

Some childcare rooms run one sleep time for the whole toddler group, so some toddlers switch there before they would at home.

• Ask about timing. Find out when the nap happens and how long your toddler usually sleeps, so you can plan the evening.
• Plan early bedtimes on care days. A toddler who naps less at childcare often needs bed earlier that night.
• Decide on home days. You can match the one-nap pattern at home, or offer a second short nap on home days while your toddler adjusts. Either is fine.
• Share what you see. Tell educators if your toddler is waking early or very tired, so you can work out a plan together.

How do I keep my toddler's sleep space safe?

KidsHealth says it's OK to put a light blanket in the crib after the first birthday, but not extra-large soft toys. If your toddler starts climbing, it advises lowering the mattress to the lowest setting and not using bumpers, which can be used as a step. See crib to bed if climbing continues.

Jotting down nap start and end times, bedtime and morning wake time for a week or two makes it easier to see whether one nap is working.

When should I get help?

This transition isn't a medical problem, but illness can look like tiredness. Use the NHS urgent help guide: call 911 now if your toddler is difficult to wake, floppy, struggling to breathe, has blue, gray or blotchy skin or lips, or is having a seizure. Get same-day medical advice (your doctor or your pediatrician's after-hours nurse line) if they are unusually drowsy and not eating or drinking. Mention it at your next check with a doctor or pediatrician if sleep has been hard for weeks or you're struggling to cope.