6 Signs Your Toddler Is Ready for One Nap

Is It a Regression or a Transition? The 2-to-1 Nap Struggle

Around the 12 to 18-month mark, something shifts in your toddler’s sleep. A child who used to be a "champion napper" suddenly starts protesting their morning nap or playing through their afternoon rest. As a parent, you’re left wondering: Is this just a temporary toddler sleep regression, or is it time to drop a nap entirely?

At Rest Well Baby, I see this confusion more than almost any other milestone. Moving from two naps to one is arguably one of the most significant transitions in a child's first few years. Do it too early, and you end up with an overtired toddler and a mess of night wakes. Do it too late, and bedtime becomes a multi-hour battle.

The Great Nap Confusion The reason this stage is so tricky is that many toddlers go through a "protest" phase around 12 months that looks exactly like they are ready for one nap—but they aren't quite there yet. This is often the 12-month sleep regression, where standing, walking, and new language skills make "practicing" in the crib much more appealing than sleeping.

If you transition during a regression, you might find that your toddler can’t actually handle the long afternoon stretch, leading to a "False Start" at bedtime or an uptick in night wakings.

Signs It Might Be a Real Transition So, how do you know if you are dealing with a temporary glitch or a permanent shift? Here are the most common signs that the 2-to-1 nap transition is truly on the horizon:

• Resisting the Second Nap: Your child takes a great morning nap but refuses to settle for the afternoon, or plays right through it.

• Difficulty Falling Asleep: You notice your child is having sudden trouble falling asleep at their usual nap time or bedtime, even if they seem tired.

• The "Late Bedtime" Trap: You find yourself having to push bedtime later and later just to fit that second nap into the day, resulting in a very late night for everyone.

• Sudden Short Naps: Naps that used to be 90 minutes are suddenly 30 or 45 minutes because the "sleep drive" is no longer strong enough to sustain two long rests.

• Night Wakings or Early Mornings: Your child starts waking up at 5:00 AM or experiences frequent night wakings because their daytime sleep is starting to "rob" from their night sleep.

• The "Split Night": Your child wakes up in the middle of the night for 1–2 hours, happy and ready to play, because they aren't tired enough to stay asleep.

Navigating the Adjustment Period Switching to one nap isn’t as simple as just moving the midday rest to 12:00 PM and calling it a day. There is a period of adjustment where overtiredness is often inevitable as your toddler’s body learns to handle a longer wake window. Many parents find themselves in a "no man's land" where one nap feels like too little, but two naps feel like too much. It’s a delicate phase that requires a specific strategy to get through the other side.

Getting it Right The 2-to-1 transition is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take several weeks for a toddler's biological clock to fully adjust to the new rhythm. If you're feeling stuck in the cycle of "is he tired or just stubborn?" you don't have to guess.

At Rest Well Baby, I partner with you to look at your child’s unique sleep patterns and help you decide when it's truly time to make the shift. Together, we can look at your daily routine to find the best way to support your toddler as they physically adjust to being awake for longer stretches.

Want to learn more? During my Sweet Dreams Call, we can screen for these underlying issues together and discuss the best path forward for your child's restorative sleep.

Yours in sleep,

Tracie / Rest Well Baby

www.restwellbaby.com

Tracie Kesatie is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach dedicated to helping families with little ones 0-10 years of age achieve a restful night's sleep.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician for any concerns about your child's health.