When and Why Do Parents Stop Naps

In my published research, some parents stop their child from napping, but, as a group, their children did not have different nap patterns from hose who naturally outgrew their naps. There were three main reasons why parents stopped their children from napping. Among 3-6-year-olds, scheduled preschool or school activities conflicted with the nap (60%) and parents of 5-year-olds wanted the child to go to sleep earlier at night (30%). Stressful events that disorganized home routines, such as death of a parent, divorce, move to a new home or birth of twin siblings, caused an additional 10%of parents to stop a child's napping. Simply having a new sibling was not associated with a change in napping. Furthermore, there were three children between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 years of age who stopped napping for about a year during a period of marital discord or problems with caretakers. After resolution of the conflicts, all three children resumed napping and continued to nap for years. Additionally, there were many older children whose families experienced deaths (including SIDS), divorces or moves but there were no napping problems. It appears that when parents and caretakers maintain nap routines, despite potentially disruptive stressful events, children continue to nap.

Between the second and third birthday, about 1% of parents stop naps.

Between the third and fourth birthday, about 8% of parents stop naps.

Between the fourth and fifth birthday, about 5%; of parents stop naps.

Between the fifth and sixth birthday, about 11% of parents stop naps.

After the sixth birthday, 8% of parents stop naps.

What is your experience with stopping naps?

Marc

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Filed under: Nap Facts