Naps usually become fewer as children grow. The guide below gives approximate patterns to help you understand that change. It is a starting point for observing your child, rather than a timetable they must follow exactly.
Typical nap patterns
| Age | Typical pattern |
|---|---|
| Around 2 months | About four naps; timing can vary considerably. |
| Around 6 months | About three naps, often 1–2 hours each, with a shorter third nap. |
| Around 9 months | About two naps, often 1–2 hours each. |
| Around 1 year | Some children still have two naps; the move to one happens at different times. |
| Around 18 months to 2 years | Often one midday nap of about 1–2 hours. |
| From around 3 years | Naps may begin to phase out; some children still need them. |
Sources: HSE guidance on sleep from 6 months to 2 years and HSE guidance on naps. These are approximate examples, not additional sleep to add on top of a full daily recommendation. Count naps together with sleep at night when looking at total sleep needs.
Look for a pattern before dropping a nap
One refused nap after an exciting morning does not tell you much. It is more useful to note when your child sleeps, how long settling takes and how they manage the late afternoon over several days.
If a nap is repeatedly refused or bedtime keeps getting later after it, the timing may need attention. Illness, travel and changes at nursery can also disrupt a familiar pattern.
Change one part of the day at a time
For example, if your toddler repeatedly skips a morning nap but falls asleep over lunch, you could discuss moving the remaining nap towards midday with their carer. Agree on the same approach at home and nursery, and watch how the afternoons go.
Avoid treating a missed nap as a reason to keep an exhausted child awake until the usual bedtime. Leave room for an earlier evening and reassess if the change makes the day consistently harder.
Offer quiet time when sleep does not happen
For an older toddler or preschooler, try a short period with picture books, a puzzle or a story read aloud. Explain what will happen next: “We’ll have some quiet time, then get our snack.” Keep it flexible if your child is struggling.
Quiet time gives a break from activity, but it does not replace sleep a child still needs. If you are unsure about a persistent change, or notice snoring, breathing pauses or marked daytime tiredness, speak with your child’s doctor.