Naps: how many are needed, and at what age do they stop?
From 3-4 naps as a newborn to zero naps around age 5: here's how the need evolves and how to spot the right time to cut back.
The number of naps drops gradually as a child grows and their ability to stay awake for longer stretches increases. A newborn takes multiple short naps spread throughout the day; around 4-6 months, most move to 3 naps; around 9-12 months, to 2 naps (morning and afternoon); and around 15-18 months, to a single afternoon nap.
That single afternoon nap often lasts until age 3, 4, or sometimes even 5, depending on the child. Some children naturally drop the nap by age 3, others still need it at 5 — there's no fixed age, and nap needs depend a lot on how much and how well a child sleeps at night.
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Signs a child is ready to cut back or stop napping include: trouble falling asleep at nap time, a nap that consistently pushes bedtime too late in the evening, or no apparent tiredness despite skipping the nap for several days in a row.
Even after dropping the nap, most preschoolers still benefit from a daily quiet time (reading, calm play) that lets them rest without necessarily sleeping — a useful compromise during the transition period, which often lasts several months.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
